The Highline Trail in Glacier starts at Logan Pass, across Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Continental Divide sign, and most hikers finish 11.8 miles later at The Loop. In summer 2026, a long day on the trail meant booking a Logan Pass Shuttle ticket, because private parking at Logan Pass was capped at three hours from July 1 to September 7, 2026.
Highline Trail at a Glance
Much of the Highline Trail is exposed. Most hikers walk it one way, from Logan Pass to The Loop on Going-to-the-Sun Road. In summer 2026, the way you reached the trailhead decided how far you could go.
| Detail | Highline Trail |
|---|---|
| Trailhead | Across Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Continental Divide sign near the Logan Pass parking lot |
| Usual finish | The Loop Trailhead, the only switchback on the road's west side |
| Distance | 11.8 miles (19 km) one way |
| Elevation gain | 2,388 ft (728 m) |
| Elevation loss | 4,773 ft (1,455 m) |
| Side trips | Grinnell Glacier Overlook, Swiftcurrent Lookout, Granite Park Chalet |
| 2026 summer access | Shuttle ticket for long hikes; short-term parking only at Logan Pass |
Starting at Logan Pass puts gravity on your side. You lose 4,773 feet and gain 2,388, so the route drops about twice as far as it climbs. The side trips change the distance and elevation figures in the table.
Your 2026 plan came down to how long you meant to hike. A short out-and-back fit within the parking limit. You parked at Logan Pass, took a free timestamped permit from the kiosk and placed it on your dashboard. A longer day, such as the Highline to Granite Park Chalet or the full route to The Loop, needed a Logan Pass Shuttle ticket.
In 2026 the shuttle served same-day trips only. Granite Park Chalet guests and permitted backcountry users received a park permit for overnight parking at Logan Pass.
Getting to Logan Pass in 2026
From the start of July through Labor Day 2026, a long Highline day required a seat on the ticketed Logan Pass Shuttle. That system replaced the park's earlier first-come, first-served shuttles, and shuttles did not pick up anyone without a ticket. Every private vehicle space at Logan Pass carried a three-hour limit, enforced 24 hours a day, and overnight parking needed a park permit.
Booking a seat worked like this:
- Tickets were sold only on Recreation.gov or through its call center at 877-444-6777, and never inside the park. Each ticket carried a non-refundable $1 processing fee.
- A portion of tickets opened 60 days ahead on a rolling basis, starting May 2, 2026 at 8 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). The rest opened daily at 7 p.m. MDT, starting June 30, for the next day's rides.
- Each ticket was tied to one boarding time and place: Apgar Visitor Center or Lake McDonald Lodge on the west side, St. Mary Visitor Center or Rising Sun Picnic Area on the east side.
- Every rider aged 2 or older needed a ticket and a seat. Infants rode on a ticketed adult's lap.
- Tickets were non-transferable, and staff could ask for photo ID to confirm the buyer was present.
Riders were asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before their boarding time to park and join the line. Staff validated tickets and handed out wristbands, and boarding within each time slot was first-come, first-served. Departures started as early as 6:00 a.m. The ride from Apgar to Logan Pass took about 90 minutes, and from St. Mary about 60 minutes.
The return trip set the length of the day. In 2026 the last shuttle left Logan Pass at 7:30 p.m. westbound and 8:00 p.m. eastbound, and no other public transportation ran back to a parked car for anyone who missed it. On park entry, vehicle reservations were not required anywhere in the park in 2026. The vehicle reservations and Logan Pass guide covers entry rules in more detail.
Out-and-Back or a One-Way Finish at The Loop
Most hikers start at Logan Pass and finish at The Loop, while a timed out-and-back from Logan Pass suits anyone with only part of a day.
| Plan | How it works | 2026 summer access | Pick it if you want |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-and-back from Logan Pass | Hike out, turn around at a set time | Kiosk parking permit if back within the limit | A short sample of the trail |
| Logan Pass to The Loop | Shuttle up, hike 11.8 miles, shuttle back from The Loop | Shuttle ticket | The full route |
| Granite Park Chalet | Offshoot from the Highline to the 1914 to 1915 chalet, a National Historic Landmark reached only by trail | Shuttle ticket for a day trip; park permit for overnight guests | To see or stay at the backcountry chalet |
| Start at The Loop | Loop Trail climbs 4.2 miles and 2,600 feet to the chalet, where it joins the Highline | Shuttle ticket; limited hiker parking at The Loop | The climb first, then the Highline |
In 2026, a hiker finishing at The Loop rode home based on which side of the park they boarded. The Loop was not a boarding location. It was a stop for ticketed riders, with pickups only at set times.
- West-side riders caught a westbound shuttle at The Loop toward Apgar. The first pickup was around 11:00 a.m.
- East-side riders took an uphill shuttle from The Loop to Logan Pass, a ride of about 30 minutes, then transferred to an eastbound shuttle. Uphill pickups started at 12:00 p.m., ran about every hour to hour and a half, and ended at 7:00 p.m.
The Loop has restrooms but no drinking water, so carry everything you need for the full hike. Weather, road conditions and wildlife could delay shuttles, and the posted times were approximate. Riders were urged not to wait for the last pickup. The full pickup chart is on the park's shuttle page.
After Labor Day 2026, neither the parking limit nor the Logan Pass Shuttle continued.
The Exposed Ledge Section
Much of the Highline Trail is exposed, which raises the risk of a fall and leaves you more open to bad weather. Stay alert around steep drop-offs. You are responsible for your own safety.
A few habits lower the risk on the ledge:
- Stop walking before you look at the view or take photos.
- Turn back if wind, rain or a storm builds, since exposed sections carry a higher weather risk.
- Let other hikers pass at a wide spot instead of squeezing by on a narrow stretch.
- Wear shoes with solid grip.
If steep drop-offs worry you, Hidden Lake Overlook also starts at Logan Pass. In 2026 the three-hour parking limit allowed time for that hike. You can also walk a short stretch of the Highline and turn around whenever the exposure feels like too much. Read the Glacier National Park weather guide before you pick a date.
Wildlife on the Glacier Highline Trail
If you meet mountain goats or bighorn sheep on the trail, stop and give them space. Let them move off the path before you continue, and never try to slip past an animal on a ledge.
Keep your food packed away and never feed any animal. Carry bear spray where you can reach it on the trail. On the 2026 shuttle, bear spray had to be secured so it could not go off by accident, and pets were not allowed on board.
Wildlife on Going-to-the-Sun Road can also hold up shuttles. Build some slack into your return so a delay does not leave you racing for the last departure.
Season Opening and What to Pack
Going-to-the-Sun Road has no set opening date and is typically fully open by early July. The Highline trailhead sits on that road at Logan Pass, 6,646 feet up. In 2026, the shuttle and the parking limit both started at the beginning of July. The Going-to-the-Sun Road guide explains how the road opens through the season.
Pack for a long, exposed day:
- Water for the whole hike, since The Loop has none.
- Your shuttle ticket and photo ID (in 2026, the wristband was issued at boarding).
- Bear spray (in 2026 it had to be secured on the shuttle).
- Rain gear and warm layers for weather on exposed ground.
- Enough food to last until your return shuttle.
In 2026, west-side riders boarded at Apgar Visitor Center or Lake McDonald Lodge. If you want a base on that side, Dark Light Collection's Glacier pyramids, opening in 2027, sit within 15 minutes of the park's West Entrance. For other trails and planning pages, the Glacier National Park guide collects them in one place.
Before a Highline hike, check the park's Logan Pass visitor page, which set out the 2026 shuttle and parking rules.
After a long Highline day, the Bortle scale guide explains how to judge how dark the sky is where you spend the night.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a shuttle ticket for the Highline Trail in 2026?
Yes, for a long day hike during the summer window. From July 1 to September 7, 2026, Logan Pass parking was limited to three hours, so hikes to Granite Park Chalet or The Loop needed a Logan Pass Shuttle ticket from Recreation.gov. A short out-and-back that got you back to your car within the limit needed only the free kiosk permit.
Where does the Highline Trail start?
The Highline Trail starts at Logan Pass, at 6,646 feet on Going-to-the-Sun Road. The trailhead sits across the road from the Continental Divide sign near the Logan Pass parking lot.
Is the Highline Trail scary?
Much of the trail is exposed, with steep drop-offs, a higher risk of falling and more exposure to bad weather. If that worries you, hike a short stretch from Logan Pass and turn around when you choose.
Sleep Under Glacier's Night Sky in a Glass Pyramid
Founding deposits are open for Dark Light Collection's Glacier pyramids, opening in 2027 within 15 minutes of the West Entrance.
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