Hiking to Avalanche Lake - West Glacier

If you're looking for one of the most accessible and rewarding hikes in Glacier National Park, Avalanche Lake is it. Tucked beneath the towering cliffs of Bearhat Mountain and carved by glacial forces over millennia, this alpine lake offers a postcard-perfect scene that’s as dramatic as it is peaceful and it’s only a few miles from the trailhead.

Getting There

The trail to Avalanche Lake begins at the Trail of the Cedars, just off the Going-to-the-Sun Road in West Glacier. This area can get busy during the summer months, so an early start (or a later afternoon stroll) is your best bet for beating the crowds and getting a parking spot.

The Trail of the Cedars itself is a gem, an easy, accessible boardwalk path that weaves through an old-growth forest of massive western hemlocks and red cedars, some over 500 years old. In about a half mile, you'll reach the Avalanche Lake trailhead and start the 2-mile climb to the lake.

The Hike

The hike is about 4.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of roughly 750 feet, moderate and manageable for most hikers. As you ascend, Avalanche Creek tumbles beside you in a series of narrow chutes and cascades, offering plenty of places to stop, breathe, and soak in the sound of glacial runoff rushing through the rock.

You'll pass through dense forests, walk under a canopy of evergreens, and likely spot some of Glacier’s abundant wildlife—deer, birds, and even the occasional bear (so bring bear spray, just in case). The forest eventually gives way to the lake itself, which feels like a secret unveiled.

The Payoff

Avalanche Lake stuns with its clarity and color—a blue-green mirror reflecting sheer cliffs that rise nearly 2,000 feet above its shoreline. In early summer, waterfalls fed by melting snow spill down the mountainsides into the lake, creating a scene so cinematic it hardly seems real.

There are plenty of places to relax along the lake’s edge, and if you're lucky, you might have it to yourself for a few golden minutes. Dip your toes in the frigid water, enjoy a packed lunch, or simply sit still and take it all in.

Tips for Your Trip

• Get there early to avoid crowds and secure parking.

• Bring layers - weather changes quickly in the mountains.

• Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

• Leave no trace - pack out what you pack in.

• Don't rush - this is one hike where the journey and the destination are equally magical.

• Hydrate! - especially if its warmer out and you haven't been hiking recently!

Final Thought

Avalanche Lake is a hike that perfectly captures the spirit of Glacier National Park: awe-inspiring nature that’s both powerful and serene. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning for the tenth, this trail delivers a sense of wonder that lingers long after you’ve laced up your boots and walked away.