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Glacier National Park & Waterton National Park tour

Summary

A northern locale that meets our standards 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

$ 3,250.-

Glacier and Waterton National parks
Going to the Sun road
Additional options like fishing or kayaking

The deposit for this tour is $950.-pp.

Gallery

Details

Type

Road bike

Duration

6 days

Level

Moderate

Support

Guided

Daily distance

40-60 km / 25-37 mi

Total distance

523 km / 325 mi

Lodging

Deluxe, full board

Luggage transport

Daily luggage transfers

Bicycle

Rental

Dates

09 Jul 2023 - 14 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 - 21 Jul 2023
23 Jul 2023 - 28 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 - 04 Aug 2023
06 Aug 2023 - 11 Aug 2023
13 Aug 2023 - 18 Aug 2023
20 Aug 2023 - 25 Aug 2023
27 Aug 2023 - 01 Sep 2023

2023 Start date July 16 and August 6 are fully booked

Start

Whitefish

Finish

Whitefish

Airport at start

Kalispell

Airport at finish

Kalispell

Prices Please note the prices are subject to change depending availability

Price per person / please note the prices are subject to change depending availability

The tour price per person

$ 3,250.-

roadbike

$ 250.-

Optional

Road E-Bike

The Scott SUB Tour and the Scott Addict E-20 eRIDE bikes makes getting around easier.
The Scott SUB Tour has flat bars and is Powered by Bosch with a 500Wh battery. Equipped with a rack, it’s ready to provide many miles of worry-free reliability.
The Scott Addict E-20 eRIDE is a lightweight drop bar bike to make climbing easier and can go the distance comfortably.

$ 395.-

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.

$ 570.-

Itinerary

Included / Not Included – lodging

Day 1:Hungry Horse Reservoir to Lake McDonald

We start the first day in Glacier National Park with a scenic 54 mile ride from Hungry Horse, Montana to the Hungry Horse Dam, then under the Apgar Mountains past Apgar Village, and finally along the eastern shore of Lake McDonald to Lake McDonald Lodge, our lodging for the night. Those looking for additional cycling in the evening can take a spin on the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road along Lake McDonald when it re-opens to bicycle traffic at 4pm.
Distance: 54 miles with 3,310 feet of climbing

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

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.
Distance: 40 to 70 miles

Day 3: Many Glaciers to Waterton National Park, Canada

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.
Our lodging for these two days in Canada is at the Northland Lodge or Bayshore Inn.
NOTE: The Northland Lodge was the personal home of architect Doug Oland, one of the principle designer of the Prince of Wales Hotel. The lodge has been privately owned and managed by the Hacking family since the 1940’s. We love the balconies and family atmosphere of the Northland, as they offer a relaxed setting for the home-cooked meal we prepare for our guests when staying at the Northland.
Distance: 51 miles

Day 4: Alberta’s Waterton National Park

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.
Distance: 20 to 50 miles

Day 5: Waterton to Glacier Park Lodge

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.
Distance: 40 to 78 mile options

Day 6: Glacier Park Logde to Running Eagle Falls & Whitewater Rafting!

24 miles with up to 1,290 feet of climbing
Today we ride Two Medicine Road, a lesser visited road in Glacier National Park that is comparatively traffic light. From the lodge, we ride north and follow it past Lower and Upper Two Medicine Lakes. Along the way you’ll have an opportunity to take a short hike to view Running Eagle Falls. Our Glacier National Park Bike Tour ends with an beautiful 3 1/2 hour whitewater rafting tour down a class 3 section of the Flat Head River. The float ends in West Glacier where the Cycling Guides provides shuttle back to Whitefish. We’ll arrive back at the meeting hotel in Whitefish at approximately 6:00 pm.
Distance: 24 miles with up to 1,290 feet of climbing

*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.

Included:

Lodging in comfortable Inns.
Entrance fees to the National Parks included.
Luggage transport and mechanical support
6-days of meals (5-dinners)
Energy food and drinks
Luggage transport

Not included:

Bike rental
Flights to and from the trip.
Gratuity guides.
Night before and after the tour.
Alcoholic beverages

Lodging

Motel Lake McDonald or Apgar Village lodge
St Mary’s lodge, Many Glacier Hotel or Swiftcurren Inn
Northland Lodge or Bayshore Inn, Waterton, BC
Glacier Park Lodge, East Glacier Park, MT

Meeting Hotel:

Grouse Mountain Lodge 2 Fairway Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937. Many other lodging options exist in Whitefish, MT. Meeting hotel is not included in tour cost.

NOTE

The Cheap Sleep hotel is fine hotel option for pre and post tour lodging.
Post Tour Departure: The Glacier tour ends on Day 6 back in Whitefish at approximately 5pm after completing a 1/2 day of white water rafting. If you wish to fly out Friday evening, one can choose to not do the rafting trip and depart earlier on Friday from Whitefish in time for a 5pm flight. If you want to do this, please let us know. The guides will shuttle guests from the river put-in to Whitefish where one will take a shuttle to the airport.

More information

See the PDF file below

Map & Routes

Map

Satellite

Bicycle

The Scott Addict 10 Disc was designed from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 10 will be your go to when you’re looking to put the miles in.
The Scott Addict 10 Disc features: Carbon Frame and Fork, Shimano Ultegra 2×11 Drivetrain, 34×32 Compact Gearing, 30mm Tires, and Hydraulic Disc Brakes. Approx. Weight: 16.89 lbs / 7.66 kg (without pedals)
And finally we have a selection of straight bar road bikes in our rental fleet. $250.- per week
Be sure to bring your own helmet. We have a very limited supply and will only pack them if special arrangements are made ahead of time.

E-bikes

The Scott SUB Tour and the Scott Addict E-20 eRIDE bikes makes getting around easier. $395.- one week
The Scott SUB Tour has flat bars and is Powered by Bosch with a 500Wh battery. Equipped with a rack, it’s ready to provide many miles of worry-free reliability.
The Scott Addict E-20 eRIDE is a lightweight drop bar bike to make climbing easier and can go the distance comfortably.

Downloads

Covid - 19

Elevation profile and extra info