Getting there
- Flights to Kalispell (FCA) 60 km from the start
Treks / USA (Montana)
Highline Trail (Glacier)
USA (Montana) · Nearest city: Kalispell (also Missoula)
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 19 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point2,200 m
A spectacular trail along the Continental Divide from Logan Pass, with mountain goats, bighorn sheep and huge views.
Fitness
Demanding
Best seasonJuly to September
Watch out: One narrow ledge at the start has a handrail. Snow can linger into July.
Why people choose it
It's one of America's great day hikes along the Continental Divide, with mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
What makes it different
- Walks along the Continental Divide
- Wildlife sightings almost guaranteed
- Shuttle back to the start
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,200 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Logan Pass → Granite Park Chalet
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
- Best time to go: July to September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Kalispell.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: July to September
Late June to mid-July
Early season
Snow on passes and high rivers, with wildflowers starting to bloom.
Bring
- Microspikes
- Gaiters
- Warm layers
Mid-July to August
Monsoon season
Daily afternoon thunderstorms with lightning above the treeline. Be off exposed ground by noon.
Bring
- Rain jacket
- An alpine start (before dawn)
- Bear spray where required
September
Late season
Golden aspens, stable weather and cold nights, with the first snow possible.
Bring
- Warm sleeping bag
- Down jacket
- Headlamp
Be ready for
Airy sections
Some paths run along steep drops. They're safe with care, but uncomfortable if you're afraid of heights, especially in wind or rain.
Bear country
Store food in a bear canister or locker, cook away from your tent, and carry bear spray where rangers recommend it.
Snow patches
Early in the season, snow can cover the path on high ground. Microspikes or crampons and some experience make these sections safer.
What you'll see
6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Highline Trail (Glacier)
Photo credits: Mountain Goat at Hidden Lake by Robert M. Russell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Granite Park Chalet by Bill Heyden, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Going to the Sun Road - Glacier National Park - Sept by m01229 from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Going to the Sun Road by m01229 from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Granite Park Chalet from the Highline Trail by Robtooker629, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Granite Park from The Garden Wall, July , - panoramio by Gary Miotla, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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