10 Best Hikes In Glacier National Park

Veteran visitors suggest hiking to both falls on the same day. The round trip distance to Virginia Falls is 3.8 miles. The hike to St. Mary Falls is 2.4 miles. There is an elevation gain of 285 feet hiking to Virginia Falls and a loss of 260 feet to St. Mary Falls.

The hikes are easy. You should reach St. Mary Falls in an hour and Virginia Falls in two hours. Set aside three hours and do them both on one hike.

Start the hike at the official St. Mary Falls Trailhead or at the St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop. Here you will hike a trail located right next to a portion of St. Mary Lake and through a recovering forest that was burned back in 2015. Once you reach the two-tiered St. Mary Falls, take in the sight and hike onto Virginia Falls.

If you are driving yourself, start at the St. Mary Falls Trailhead and park in the little parking lot on Going-to-the-Sun Road. If you’re not driving or can’t find a parking space there, then the shuttle at the previously-mentioned St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop. Taking the shuttle shaves almost half a mile off your total hiking distance.  

The Hikes In Many Glacier

Many Glacier is said by some to be “a hiker’s paradise” and one of the park’s most beautiful areas. It is highlighted by glaciers, lakes, snow-covered mountains, and waterfalls too.

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