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Glacier National Park & Waterton National Park tour

Summary

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A northern locale that meets our standard for unique cycling, lodging and dining experiences. Glacier National Park is a bucket-list road cycling and hiking journey! A tour to Glacier National Park is not complete without riding into Canada’s Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park! Our Glacier National Park Bike Tour has suitable options for cyclists of all abilities. Ride as much or as little as desired. Both parks provide not to be missed hiking options to waterfalls, verdant meadows filled with wildflowers and mountain summits. We’ll take a few of these treks to add variety to the week’s activities. While we’ll remain in the confines of Glacier and Waterton, the scenery more than makes up for the relatively compact area of the tour. And since we will be venturing out in summertime, the far northern latitude brings extended evenings. Don’t be surprised if sunset arrives until 10:30 at night!

Road bike
6 days
523 km / 325 mi
$ 2,800.-
  • Daily Mileage Range: 15 to 92.
  • Lodging in comfortable Inns.
  • Entrance fees to the National Parks included.
  • Luggage transport and mechanical support.
  • Energy food and drinks.
  • Electric road bike available.
  • Sign up as a couple and receive one free bike high performance rental per couple ($250 value).
  • Night before and after the tour not included.
  • Group discount of $200 per person for groups of 4 or more.

  • The deposit for this tour is $950 per person instead of 25%.

Gallery

Details

Type
Road bike
Duration
6 days
Level
Easy = untrained, normal physical condition
Moderate = regular cyclist, good condition
Challenging = experienced, well trained
Moderate
Support
Guided = with cycling guide(s) - support van
Self Guided = individual - directions+maps
Guided
Daily distance
40-60 km / 25-37 mi
Total distance
523 km / 325 mi
Lodging
Deluxe = 4-5 star hotel or excellent B&B
Basic = 1-2 star hotel/motel or B&B
Camping = tent, sports hall or campus
Deluxe, full board
Luggage transport
Daily luggage transfers
Bicycle
Rental
Dates
07 Jul 2019 - 12 Jul 2019
14 Jul 2019 - 19 Jul 2019
21 Jul 2019 - 26 Jul 2019
28 Jul 2019 - 02 Aug 2019
04 Aug 2019 - 09 Aug 2019
11 Aug 2019 - 16 Aug 2019
Start date July 14, 21, and August 4 are a go!
Start
Whitefish
Finish
Whitefish
Airport at start
Kalispell
Airport at finish
Kalispell

Prices

Price per person
The tour price per person
$ 2,800.-
roadbike
Scott CR-1 and Scott Solace carbon road bikes with full Shimano Ultegra components
$ 250.-
Optional
E-Bike
Scott E-bike road bikes with straight bars
$ 375.-
Optional
Single supplement
If you travel alone a single supplement is charged. With some group tours you can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
$ 470.-

Itinerary

Day 1: Polebridge Out & Back Ride

50 miles with 2,400 feet of climbing
We start the first day in Glacier National Park with a scenic 50 mile ride from Apgar Village to the unincorporated community of Polebridge, so named for the log bridge that formerly connected the North Fork Road in Glacier National Park to Montana Secondary Highway 486, over the North Fork Flathead River. In Polebridge we will enjoy a stop at The Polebridge Mercantile – a gourmet restaurant and general store with perhaps the best cookies and baked goods in all of Montana.
We return past the Apgar Mountains and back to Apgar Village where we will shuttle to the Lake McDonald Lodge. Those looking for additional cycling in the evening can take a spin up the lower slopes of the legendary Going-to-the-Sun road when it re-opens to bicycle traffic at 4pm.

Day 2: Going-to-the-Sun-Road to Many Glaciers Valley

40 to 60 miles
Beginning at daybreak, we begin a 22-mile ascent of The Going-to-the-Sun Road to the summit of Logan Pass (6,646-feet). Due to the daily road closure cyclists must reach Logan Pass by 11am. Don’t worry – there’s plenty of time. The ascent follows McDonald Creek through old growth forests to emerge above tree line, with 360-degree views of alpine tundra and mountains. The-Going-to-the-Sun Road is simply one of the best cycling climbs in North America.
Savor the descent from Logan Pass as we fly beneath the bergschrunds and moraines of the surrounding glaciated peaks. Continue all the way down to the emerald colored Upper and Lower Saint Mary Lakes. Our lodging for tonight will be fabled Many Glacier Hotel, with its famous Swiss-style architecture and picturesque views of Swiftcurrent Lake.

Day 3: Many Glaciers to Waterton National Park, Canada


51 miles
Leaving the spectacular confines of the Many Glacier Valley, you’ll spin north on the Chief Mountain Highway towards the Canadian border. The terrain here involves three larger climbs, including a 5-mile ascent to Chief Mountain Overlook. The topography, outside the eastern boundary of Glacier National Park, comprises rolling ranch land and countless rivers sprinkled with aspen glades.
After enjoying a riverside picnic lunch, we’ll climb to the Canadian border crossing, descend to the Belly River, then climb two miles into the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The Peace Park designation pays tribute to the long history of friendship between Canada and the United States. We’ll stay at the Bayshore Inn, the only hotel on the Waterton Lake shores and with a spa. You just might be tempted to take advantage of that convenience with a relaxing massage.

Day 4: Alberta’s Waterton National Park

20 to 50 miles
Ahhh, a layover day to relish and do as one pleases in Canada! You can choose to ride an out and back into Red Rock Canyon (20 to 30 miles) or ride to beautiful Cameron Lake for an invigorating swim (20 miles). Or go for an unforgettable hike. They include world-class trails to Rainbow Falls or Kootenai Lake, which start with a ferry ride across Crypt Lake.
Additional activity options include: fishing, kayaking, a cruise on Waterton Lake, shopping or simply enjoying a day of bird watching. No matter what you decide, the breathtaking mountains and numerous lakes of Waterton National Park surround your experience.

Guests are on their own this evening to sample one of the many restaurants in the village of Waterton.

Day 5: Waterton to Glacier Park Lodge


40 to 78 mile options
Today is challenging Queen stage, with many climbs and endless views. Rolling out of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, we retrace our steps down to the Belly River and climb back to the U.S. border, rejoining the Chief Mountain Highway. The terrain twists and turns, climbs and dives, and then ascends Looking Glass Pass. You’ll finally descend the rolling terrain towards East Glacier. But before we get there, we’ll divert onto Looking Glass Hill Road, a gorgeous section of pavement cyclists love. Due to the narrow road, the support van cannot follow. So your only option here is to pedal (but you’ll love it).
Our lodging this evening is the historic Glacier Park Lodge. Built in 1913 the hotel is a classic structure of the National Park system with a lobby supported by colossal 40-foot tall Douglas fir pillars. We’ll enjoy our final dinner tonight before tomorrow’s finishing stage.

Day 6: St. Mary to McDonald Lodge

39 miles with up to 2,550 feet of climbing
On the final day, we shuttle from Glacier Park Lodge to St. Mary to begin our ride. From St. Mary we ride west along Going-to-the-Sun Road along St. Mary Lake, up to Logan Pass and then descend to Lake McDonald Lodge on Lake McDonald to end the ride and our tour.


*Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Map & Routes

Map
Satellite

Bicycle

Scott CR-1 Pro and Scott Solace carbon road bikes with full Shimano Ultegra components for only $250/week
Both the CR-1 and Solace models are sub- 17 lb comfortable, high performance bicycles geared for climbing hills.
In addition we also have electric bikes available for rental at $375/week.
And finally we have a selection of straight bar road bikes in our rental fleet.
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