How to Hike the Highline Trail + Tips & FAQs

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Planning on hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park?

I grew up hiking the Highline with my family when I was a kid. I still remember being a little bit afraid when we reached the chain section of the hike–it was a far way to fall! It’s also become a much more popular option over the past few years as Glacier has blown up on social media.

When you think of iconic hikes in the national parks, the Highline Trail is one of those trails. While I was too young when I was a kid to make it to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook, the Highline Trail is a hike I wouldn’t miss on your Glacier National Park itinerary, though it does require a bit of planning in order to get parking at Logan Pass.

You’ll also need to decide if you are planning on doing the entire hike to The Loop or if you would just like to do a section of the trail before heading back to your car. There’s no right way to do it, but you want to make sure you have the right gear and enough time to hike what you want.

This guide covers what you need to know about hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park and some of my personal recommendations whether you choose to hike the whole trail including The Loop or make it and out-and-back and return to your car.

In summary: You’ll learn how to hike the Highline, as well as which options are available to you if you want to do the whole thing or only part of it.

Quick tip: For this hike, the Glacier National Park shuttle can be your best asset–you don’t have to worry about parking and you can get right off and hike!

Quick stats

These stats are for the full hike–feel free to hike as little or as much as you would like!

How to hike the Highline Trail

You can hike the Highline Trail in a few different ways. Whether you choose to visit the Granite Park Chalet via the Loop or start at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, you have a few options to enjoy the hike.

One way to start the Highline Trail is just across from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. You’ll need to cross Going-to-the-Sun Road in order to get to the trailhead–make sure to watch for cars as you head to the other side. Be on the lookout for Bighorn Sheep and mountain goats in this area. I’ve seen a lot of them right at the start of the trail.

This is where you will run into the chained section of the hike and where there will be a steep drop off. If you are afraid of heights, you’re definitely going to want to take your time. There’s no need to rush! During this section, be considerate of other hikers who might be coming from the other way. It can get a little tight during this point, so take your time and allow others to pass you if necessary.

As you progress on the trail, you’ll be met with sweeping vistas of the Lake McDonald Valley and Haystack Butte. After roughly 2.5 miles when you reach Haystack Pass, the trail diverges from Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Garden Wall Trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook

Approximately 6.5 miles into the Highline Trail, you will come across the optional side trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook Spur Trail.

The trail is short but pretty steep, gaining about 1,000 feet in elevation gain in just under a mile. To give you an idea, that equates to roughly a 20% incline on a treadmill. It can be pretty intimidating if you don’t have a ton of experience hiking, so just keep that in mind if you are choosing to hike this trail.

If you can manage to make it to the top, you’ll have a clear view of two glaciers below: Salamander Glacier and Grinnell Glacier. This is one of my favorite spots for pictures in the entire park–the people hiking the Grinnell Glacier hike look so small from down below.

At this point, you are also right on the Continental Divide, which is where water flows west to the Pacific Ocean and east to the Atlantic Ocean. You can also get a glimpse of several lakes such as Lake McDonald, Upper Grinnell Lake, Lower Grinnell Lake, Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine, and Sherburne Lake.

I recommend taking on the Grinnell Glacier Hike in Many Glacier another day if you want to see the same view from the Grinnell Glacier Overlook from an entirely different perspective.

You’re likely to see wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep during the Garden Wall section of the hike, so keep a lookout and give them plenty of room if you happen to run into them.

Granite Park Chalet

The trail continues on to the Granite Park Chalet, one of the best things to do in Glacier National Park. This chalet is a national historic landmark and many hikers and locals hope to get a reservation to stay there if they can. Daniel and I stayed there a night and it was incredible–reservations fill up fast and were lucky to get them!

Quick tip: Check back often if you can because there might be a cancelation and you can manage to sneak a night in!

Whether you are planning on staying at the Granite Park Chalet or not, it’s often worth hiking to the chalet in order to get a refill on water and to purchase some snacks.

Hike to The Loop

Honestly, I find this portion of the hike the least interesting, although if you do start from here it is the most direct route to the Granite Park Chalet. Daniel and I have avoided this part of the hike since I’d rather go back the way we came for better views.

The Loop section experienced significant damage during the 2003 Trapper Creek Fire, which was sparked by a lightning strike. This means you won’t have a lot of shade since there are just not a lot of trees to cover you. Bring your sunscreen and hat!

As you make your way downhill, you’ll catch sight of the striking Heavens Peak in the distance, one of the tallest peaks in Glacier National Park! About 4 miles after departing from Granite Park Chalet, you’ll arrive at The Loop and Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Keep in mind that you can also start the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park from The Loop if you would like to do in the hike in reverse, as well.

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The Highline Trail: FAQs

Here’s what you should know when you plan on taking on one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park and some personal recommendations from me.

Conclusion

There’s a reason so many visitors to Glacier choose to do the Highline Trail. Not only do you get the same views that you would experience on Going-to-the-Sun Road, but it’s doable for almost all ages and hiking ability.

I tried to break down this hike for you and provide the information you need in order to successfully take it on. It’s definitely one you shouldn’t miss if you want some epic photos and to see some of the best of Glacier.

Have any questions about hiking the Highline? Let me know in the comments!