In Many Glacier, every trail winds through dramatic landscapes, and every turn offers a new, jaw-dropping view.

Icy blue glacial lakes reflect the rugged peaks, dense forests rustle with wildlife, and glaciers loom tall over the mountains, as they have since the last little ice age.

This is a place for the adventurous, the curious, and the ambitious. You'll learn about all of the best stops, trails, and what makes this place special--from the:

• forests to the mountains
• to the cleverly conniving
• picnic-nabbing bears

...experience it all with inside tips and fascinating stories with Shaka Guide.

Itinerary

1. Lake Sherburne Dam

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 5 minutes

Construction of Sherburne Dam was headed by the U.S. Reclamation Service in 1914, just four years after the park was established. This flooded and created the Sherburne Lake, a popular stop for thirsty animals and adventurous visitors.

2. Apikuni Fall Trailhead

KimonBerlin

• Duration: 90 minutes

The 1.6-mile out-and-back trail starts across from the south shore of Lake Sherburne and winds through peaceful forests with great views of the falls. You'll cross a footbridge over Apikuni Creek where the cascade plunges in multiple stepped tiers for an impressive 100 feet drop.

3. Many Glacier Hotel

Cmichel67

• Duration: 30 minutes

Opened in 1915, Many Glacier Hotel's old-world architecture was designed to woo wealthy Americans with a taste of European grandeur to Montana's wild and rugged peaks. The soaring 4-story central lobby features giant cedar columns and an enormous stone fireplace. Be sure to step inside to check it out!

4. Swiftcurrent Lake

m01229 from USA

• Duration: 30 minutes per day

There is a lot to see and do at Swiftcurrent Lake, including some amazing trails!

First up is one of my favorite short trails, the 1-mile round trip Swiftcurrent Nature Trail. This flat, easy loop encircles the crystalline Swiftcurrent lake shore, offers great views of Grinnell Point, and is a perfect choice for families, or if you’re just looking to finish out the day with a quick hike.

But there are many longer trail options, too, including the Continental Divide Trail, the Cracker Lake Trail, and the Grinnell Glacier Trail.

If you’re thinking of taking the famous Grinnell Glacier Trail–one of the most popular and difficult hikes in the park–taking the tour boat across Swiftcurrent Lake cuts about 3 miles off of your journey.

This lowers the total hiking distance to just 7 miles, or 11 kilometers roundtrip, while still hitting all of the highlights. Or, if you’d rather do the whole thing, just wait for our next stop at the official trailhead and do the entire 10 miles.

If you don’t have a reservation for the Chief Two-Guns wooden boat, you can always check to see when the next available departure is. Just remember to book a return in time, too!

5. Grinnell Glacier Trailhead

GlacierNPS

• Duration: full day

Grinnell Glacier is one of the park's most popular hikes, and for good reason. It starts out low, circling along the shimmering lake, but after a couple of miles, up and up you go.

From the high hills, you’ll look over at Josephine Lake, Angel Wing, and Mount Gould. Continuing the trek upward reveals your first look at Grinnell Glacier–one of the most photographed locations in the park. From the trailhead, it’s a little over 10 miles, or 16 kilometers, there and back.

6. Nell's American and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn

Magicpiano

• Duration: 30 minutes

If you’ve worked up an appetite, you might wanna stop in for a bite at Nell’s Restaurant. Just beside the hotel lobby, it has burgers, sandwiches and other tasty, quick-lunch fare.

They also offer boxed lunches to go. Also by the hotel is a camp store. If you want some groceries, camping supplies, or souvenirs, that’s your stop.

7. Swiftcurrent Trailhead

Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa

There are a lot of hikes in this part of the park. Let's start by explaining Swiftcurrent Trailhead.

My personal recommendation is to make the hike to Red Rock Falls. It’s just over 2 and a half miles there and back, and along the way, you’ll skirt along the beautiful Redrock Lake–a favorite hangout for the local moose.

Then, you’ll admire the striking red-purple rocks of the falls, which, if you’re there in the early fall, you may see spawning Brook Trout jumping their way back upstream.

This portion is relatively flat, and not as well known as some of the other hikes. For a day hike, that’s probably where you’ll turn around.

The trail continues along Bullhead Lake and then joins up with Swiftcurrent Pass. This pass continues all the way to the famous Granite Park Chalet.

Now, if that sounds familiar, it’s because Swiftcurrent ends all the way back at the Going-to-the-Sun Road. One way, that’s a whopping 7.6 miles or just over 12 kilometers.

Iceberg-Ptarmigan Trail

And now, trailhead number 2, Iceberg-Ptarmigan. One of the big crowd-pleasers here is the Iceberg-Ptarmigan Trail.

It's pretty steep, though, and recommended for those in good physical condition. It's 2.7 miles to the first fork.

There, you can take the 2.1-mile Iceberg Trail up to the turquoise Iceberg Lake, reflecting towering arêtes laden with snow.

If you go to the lake and back, it’s 9.6 miles, or 16 kilometers total. Instead of branching off at the fork, you can keep straight for another 2 and a half miles to see the historic 1930 Ptarmigan Tunnel.

It’s a 250-foot tunnel carved straight through the mountain at a breathtaking–literally and metaphorically–7,200 feet elevation.

Optional Hikes

Some hikers will choose to go about half a mile past the tunnel exit, to take in the fabulous view of Mount Merritt and Sun Glacier.

But keep in mind that you either have to return back the way you came, or else be prepared for a multi-day backpack through Red Rock Pass.

It’s 8 miles to the tunnel entrance and back, and if you tried to do both the tunnel and the lake, you’re looking at just over 12 miles, or 19 kilometers altogether.

8. Swiftcurrent Overlook

Rachel Ennis

This quick roadside overlook offers some great views of Swiftcurrent Lake, Many Glacier Lodge, and maybe, some local mountain goats.

9. Cattle Baron Supper Club

ReinhardThrainer

The Cattle Baron Supper Club is conveniently located right at the highway junction as you exit the park.

This longtime family establishment, run by the Burns family since 1915, is renowned for its mouthwatering steaks and live music entertainment.

Explore Many Glacier with Shaka Guide

Whether you're hiking to hidden waterfalls or just soaking in the views from a cozy lodge, Many Glacier is your playground.

With Shaka Guide's tour, you'll explore this stunning area at your own pace, discovering hidden gems and breathtaking vistas along the way.

So grab your hiking boots, charge your camera, and get ready to experience the wild beauty of the Rockies like never before. Your adventure starts now!

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Glacier National Park, Many Glacier Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Glacier National Park, Many Glacier  Know Before You Go article.

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