Glacier National Park creek along Hermit Meadow Trail overlooking MacDonald Mountain

Three hikers walking next to a lake with snowcapped mountains behind them

Hiker walking on trail along a peak of a mountain

Moss on a large boulder with a snowy mountain in the background

Not your average day hike

Escape the ordinary, and venture into the depth of adventure – Glacier National Park style. You’re off the crowded tourist trails here. Nothing but spectacular scenery and tranquil summer days await.

Glacier National Park

Have you dreamed about exploring the iconic wilds of the heart of British Columbia, Canada? Whether you are looking to walk up and touch a glacier, ponder the sheer cliffs of the local mountains, walk amongst the giant cedars, or maybe view grizzly bears walking through a huckleberry patch, Glacier National Park has it all. Heather Mountain Lodge is nestled right at the entrance to the park and our guides are extremely excited to show you their backyard.

We offer specifically designed excursions that can push you to your limits with an exhilarating high-country experience, or remove you from the stresses of the world with a calm and meditative saunter in a cedar-hemlock rainforest. Or perhaps you are a history buff curious to know more about the final hurdle to push the Canadian Pacific Railway through the mountains and the resulting wealthy tourists that came to stay at the Glacier House and be guided by the Swiss guides. We can take you to all of this!

FAQs

Hiking in Glacier national park

What to expect hiking

Q: I’ve never hiked before….is that a problem?
A: Of course not. That’s why we provide a guide. Your guide will access your abilities and goals and create the perfect day for you.

Q: How physically demanding are the hiking trips?
A: Let us design the perfect day for you based on your goals and fitness level. Even during the day, we can revise our goals to cater to your needs.

Q: How do I physically prepare for a hiking trip?
A: Training for a Day Hike

1. Take yourself out for a walk two or three times during the week. Make sure to move briskly enough to get your heart rate up, and then keep it up for at least 30 minutes.

2. Be sure to wear the same shoes that you’ll be wearing on your hike. A sure-fire way to get blisters is to walk for a long time in shoes you haven’t worn in a long time (or at all).

3. Carry a lightly-weighted daypack on your weekday walks. That way, you’ll make sure you’re prepared to tote your essential gear.

Q: What distances can I expect to travel?
A: Be prepared to be on the trails for anywhere from 4 to 7 hours. There will be plenty of stops, and opportunities to snack and enjoy the surroundings. The distances vary from just a few kilometres upwards to 12 kilometres.

Q: What qualifications do the guides have?
A: All our guides are ACMG certified.

Planning a hiking trip

Q: What are the minimum/maximum group sizes?
A: Minimum 4 – Maximum 6 per guide – Groups up to 18 with 3 guides

Q: Can My Kids Join A Trip? Is there an age restriction?
A: We offer a family-friendly trip that focuses on the kids and education in nature.

Q: Do You Accommodate Single Travelers?
A: Yes.

Q: I’m A Solo Traveler And Don’t Want To Slow Others Down – Advice?
A: We will always try to accommodate your goals and ability level and match you with like-minded people. However, you can consider a private walk with your guide.

Q: Can I contact a previous guest for their experience with you?
A: We try to post reviews from previous guests on our website. For privacy reasons, we can not provide the contact information of
prior guests.

Wildlife and nature

Q: What are the trails like?
A: You can expect a mixture of the following:

– Mainly single track trails with some wider double track trails near trailheads.

– Some easier hikes have occasional rolling hills that require very little fitness to more challenging hikes with long, steep uphill trails requiring a good base level of fitness.

– Some single-track trails can be a little off-camber and/or slightly exposed.

– The usual trail hazards, such as roots and rocks

– Most trails start in dense lush forests and many climb high above tree lines into the alpine elevation band.

Q: What about bears and other wildlife?
A: Make sure to always bring safety gear like bear spray or whistles. You may or may not come across wildlife, but always prepare for an encounter. Do some research on what to do if crossing paths with a bear, cougar, or any other local BC wildlife.

Gear and equipment

Q: How do I use trekking poles?
A: If you’re concerned about your knees or ankles, consider getting a pair of trekking poles. They aren’t just for newbies or older hikers: Poles help anyone keep their balance on very rocky or uneven terrain. They give you an extra two “limbs” to hold yourself up while you navigate the trail. People with joint issues are especially wise to invest in a pair. Here’s how to use them:

1. Keep your arms in a fairly neutral position, only slightly bent at the elbows, and use your shoulders to propel yourself forwards.

2. Keep a relaxed and loose grip on the poles by using the straps.

3. When hiking downhill, keep the poles slightly in front of you. Shorten your stride to reduce the impact on your knees. If the trail is very steep or muddy, try ramming the poles into the ground and taking side-steps up to the pole.

4. When hiking uphill with poles, you should use the poles to push off, not pull yourself up the hill. Avoid planting the tip of the pole in front of your lead foot

Q: How do I choose Hiking Boots?
A: We cannot stress it enough: No matter how fit you are, your footwear will make or break your hike. More to the point, it will either protect and support your feet and ankles, or it won’t and you’ll want to rip it off your feet at kilometre two and throw them off the cliff.

When shopping for hiking boots and shoes, make sure your pick complements your fitness and packing style: While you’ll spend a lot less energy hiking in trail-running shoes, you may need the extra support of a mid-cut boot if you’ve injured your ankles in the past. Buy your boots someplace where you can be fitted by someone who knows what to look for. Some boots are designed for specific terrain and even certain strides, so it’s worth doing some research before making a purchase.

Most of the trails at Glacier National Park are rugged. We recommend mid to high-cut boots with good ankle support rather than light trail runners. Most hiking boots are a combination of fabric and leather. In addition, some use Gortex (highly recommended) to help repel water. Waterproofing all seams ahead of time will help protect your feet from wet foliage, creek jumping, or a sudden rain event.

Your Hiking Departure

Intrepid hikers will be well rewarded with this hike. Designed for experienced hikers, it’s not for the light-hearted with approximately 950 m of elevation gain and 12 km of hiking. Your morning begins with a hearty breakfast at Heather Mountain Lodge where you and your guide will discuss the final details of the day. This includes a final gear check and placing your freshly made mountain lunch in your pack. At the time determined by your guide, you will leave Heather Mountain Lodge by car with full instructions on how to get to the Illecillewaet Campground/Wheeler Hut parking area – an approximately 20-minute drive. Once at the parking area, before departing for your hike, don’t forget to place a beverage of your choice in the creek to keep cool for the end of the day.

Your hike begins on the Great Glacier trail. Your guide will take you by the remains of Glacier House complete with stories of the railway and mountain guiding history that exists here. Then you will meander through a cedar-hemlock rainforest and eventually climb up through avalanche slide paths and polished rock towards the glacier. The “Great Glacier,” now called the Illecillewaet Glacier, has been a well-known landmark to visitors in this region since the 1880s. At that time, a hike to the icy snout of the glacier was only a short stroll from the railway and the comforts of Glacier House. Over the past century, the ice has receded about 1.5 km upslope making it possible to hike along where the glacier once lived.

The trail stops well short of the Illecillewaet Glacier and the view of the glacier is blocked from the trail’s end by the sloping bedrock below it. However, it gives an excellent panorama of Mount Sir Donald and the Vaux Glacier to the East.

From here, we leave the trail and climb up the sloping bedrock to reach the toe of the glacier, an opportunity to touch and experience ice that’s hundreds of years old. It’s a great place to stop for a bite of lunch and bask in the incredible views all the while staying cool with the wonderful downflow off the glacier. After lunch, a final push takes us to the high ridge of Glacier Crest which divides the valleys of the Illecillewaet and the Asulkan. The ridge itself is an arête carved by the glaciers that once flowed down both these valleys on either side. The view from this alpine spine is an unparalleled 360-degree panoramic view of Columbia Mountain rock and glacial ice.

The ridge is another great place to rest and refuel the body. Depending on weather conditions and time of day, you can spend much more time here with opportunities to photograph, sketch, write, or even take an alpine nap.

When you begin your descent back to the valley, you will be glad you brought your trekking poles, as the descent is steep and relentless. But as you descend, the views continue to change and your nose is filled once again with the overpowering smells of the deep rainforest and the sounds of running water and afternoon birdsongs.

Once back at your vehicle, you will be glad of that cold beverage in the creek as you relive your day with your guide on the tailgate. But don’t spend too much time there. A short drive back to Heather Mountain Lodge rewards you with a well-deserved Apres, hot tub, and massage.