Updated June 2026
When we planned our trip to Glacier National Park, the Highline Trail topped nearly every list of must-do hikes. The photos were irresistible—alpine meadows, sweeping mountain vistas, and a dramatic trail carved into the cliffs high above the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The good news is that you don’t have to commit to an epic all-day adventure to experience what makes Glacier National Park’s Highline Trail special. In fact, there are several ways to hike it, depending on your fitness level, available time, and tolerance for transportation logistics. The trail can be experienced as anything from a short scenic stroll to a challenging full-day adventure.
This guide covers the trail’s highlights and three popular ways to experience one of America’s most spectacular hikes.
Why the Highline Trail Is So Special
Beginning at Logan Pass, the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park traverses the western side of the Continental Divide along an area known as the Garden Wall. The trail offers nearly continuous mountain views, abundant wildflowers, frequent wildlife sightings, and one of the most famous trail sections in the National Park System—the narrow ledge above the Going-to-the-Sun Road. While hiking the Highline Trail, you’ll have dizzying views down to the road, snaking far below and mountain peaks stretching into the distance – making for an epic, world-class experience.
Unlike many mountain hikes, much of the Highline Trail follows a relatively gentle grade. The challenge isn’t steep climbing so much as deciding how far you’d like to go.
Parking and Transportation Logistics
Important: During the peak summer season, Logan Pass parking is limited to three hours. While that may be enough time to visit the Logan Pass Visitor Center or hike to Hidden Lake Overlook, it is not sufficient for longer hikes such as the Highline Trail.
The National Park Service specifically directs hikers planning day-long itineraries to use the Logan Pass shuttle system instead.
Even with the new time limit, parking at Logan Pass remains in extremely high demand. In fact, one reason the park implemented the restriction was that the lot often filled before dawn and stayed full throughout the day, leaving few opportunities for other visitors to find a space.
Be sure to check current shuttle schedules and parking regulations before your visit.
Planning transportation for your hike? Shuttle routes, schedules, boarding locations, ticket requirements, and parking regulations can change from year to year. Before your trip, check the official Glacier National Park Logan Pass shuttle information page for the most current details.
2026 GTSR Vehicle Access Update: Vehicle reservations are not required for Glacier National Park in 2026. Visitors should still check current National Park Service information before their trip, as parking regulations and shuttle operations can change from year to year.
Option 1: A Short Out-and-Back from Logan Pass (Best for Most Visitors)
If you’re short on time or simply want to experience the highlights, consider hiking the Highline Trail as an out-and-back from Logan Pass.
The famous ledge section appears almost immediately after leaving the trailhead. Beyond that, the trail winds through alpine meadows along the Garden Wall with spectacular views in nearly every direction.
Many hikers spend one to three hours hiking before turning around. Even a relatively short out-and-back hike provides a memorable Glacier experience and includes many of the views that make the Highline Trail famous.
Why choose this option?
- Shortest time commitment
- Minimal transportation planning
- Experience the famous ledge section
- Great choice for families and casual hikers
Note: With the demand for parking at Logan Pass, it’s best to to arrive early or late for your hike.
Option 2: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet and Back
For strong hikers, continuing to Granite Park Chalet and returning to Logan Pass is an outstanding full-day adventure.
The roundtrip hike is approximately 15.2 miles. Along the way, you’ll experience nearly all of the Highline Trail’s most iconic scenery, including Haystack Pass, expansive views along the Garden Wall, and the historic Granite Park Chalet.
The chalet offers pit toilets, limited snacks and drinks (we packed our own snacks and lunch – and were glad we did), and picnic table seating with magnificent views. It’s a perfect place to rest before retracing your steps back to Logan Pass.
Because this hike takes far longer than three hours, you should not plan to leave a vehicle at Logan Pass during the peak-season parking restriction period. Instead, plan to use the park shuttle to reach Logan Pass, then return to the same shuttle stop after your hike.
This option still requires advance planning, but it avoids the extra complication of ending at The Loop, waiting for a designated pickup time, and transferring at Logan Pass.
Why choose this option?
- Experience the trail’s best scenery
- Visit Granite Park Chalet
- Avoid The Loop shuttle pickup logistics
- Return to the same trailhead where you started
Option 3: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet to The Loop
This is the route we chose.
Rather than returning to Logan Pass, we continued beyond Granite Park Chalet and descended 4.1 miles to The Loop on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The result was an approximately 11.7-mile one-way hike that allowed us to experience a different section of the park while avoiding the return trip to Logan Pass.
The descent is rocky and can be hard on the knees, but it provides a completely different perspective on Glacier’s mountain landscape.
Transportation systems, shuttle routes, and parking regulations have changed several times over the years, however. Depending on current park operations, this option may require additional planning and transportation time compared to the other two alternatives.
Why choose this option?
- True point-to-point adventure
- Experience more of the park in a single hike
- Avoid retracing your steps
- Excellent option for hikers comfortable with transportation logistics
Getting Started at Logan Pass
All three options begin at Logan Pass, one of the most popular destinations in Glacier National Park.
The Highline Trailhead is located directly across the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Restrooms and drinking water are available here before beginning your hike.
Arriving early is always a good idea. Morning light on Mount Reynolds and the surrounding peaks can be spectacular, and you’ll enjoy cooler temperatures during the first part of your hike.
Before your trip, check Glacier National Park’s website for current information regarding parking regulations, shuttle operations, and seasonal trail conditions.
The Famous Ledge Section of the Highline Trail
One of the most talked-about portions of the Highline Trail comes less than a mile from the trailhead.
Here the path follows a narrow ledge carved into the mountainside high above the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Green safety cables are installed along portions of the cliff wall, providing additional reassurance.
Despite its reputation, most hikers find the ledge far less intimidating than photographs suggest. Those uncomfortable with heights can simply stay near the inside edge of the trail and move at their own pace.
Along the Garden Wall
Beyond the ledge, the trail settles into a rhythm of alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and panoramic mountain views.
For roughly the first 2½ miles, the trail contours along the Garden Wall, offering some of the most scenic hiking in Glacier National Park. Wildflowers bloom throughout much of the summer, and sightings of deer, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep are common.
Even hikers choosing the shorter out-and-back option will experience much of this spectacular section.
Haystack Pass
At approximately 3½ miles, the trail reaches its primary climb—a series of switchbacks leading to Haystack Pass.
The climb is steady but manageable, and the views improve with every step. From the pass, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramas back toward Logan Pass and the Going-to-the-Sun Road far below.
Many hikers consider this one of the most rewarding sections of the entire trail.
Optional Spur: Grinnell Glacier Overlook
Just beyond the trail’s high point, a steep spur trail leads to Grinnell Glacier Overlook.
The roundtrip detour adds approximately two miles and nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The trail is steep, exposed, and crosses loose scree.
We skipped this side trip because we planned to hike to Grinnell Glacier from the Many Glacier area later in our trip. However, hikers seeking an extra challenge are rewarded with one of Glacier’s most dramatic viewpoints.
Granite Park Chalet
At 7.6 miles from Logan Pass, you’ll reach Granite Park Chalet.
Built in 1914, this historic backcountry lodge remains one of Glacier’s most iconic destinations. Even hikers not staying overnight often stop here for lunch, snacks, and a well-earned break.
Outdoor seating areas provide spectacular mountain views and make this one of the best picnic spots in the park. If you turn around here and return to Logan Pass, your total hiking distance will be approximately 15.2 miles roundtrip.
Should You Continue to The Loop?
For many hikers, Granite Park Chalet marks the perfect turnaround point.
Continuing to The Loop adds another 4.1 miles, all downhill. While the descent isn’t particularly scenic compared to the Highline Trail itself, it does create a rewarding one-way adventure for hikers seeking a longer day. If you choose this option, make sure you have a plan for getting back to your original starting point, which may involve a long shuttle wait at The Loop and another at Logan Pass. Unfortunately, the National Park Service has made this route less attractive.
Our recommendation? Choose the option that best matches your goals.
If you want a taste of the Highline Trail, hike a few miles and turn around.
If you want the classic Highline experience, continue to Granite Park Chalet and return to Logan Pass.
If you enjoy long point-to-point hikes and don’t mind transportation logistics, continue all the way to The Loop.
There’s really no wrong choice here. The magic of the Highline Trail begins almost immediately, and every mile delivers some of the most spectacular scenery in Glacier National Park.
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