Feeling adventurous, but don’t want to hike a strenuous trail? The St. Mary and Virginia Falls area is rated as one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park (and in a park with over 700 miles of trails, that’s saying something). On this easily accessed hike, visitors explore waterfalls but also get expansive views of mountain wilderness. And what’s better, you’re looking at a hike that’s 3.6 miles round trip, with only a few hundred feet of total elevation gain. In short, this is an unmissable trail.

To start this hike, you’ll want to find the St. Mary Falls trailhead off the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road.
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The trailhead is conveniently near a stop for the park’s shuttle system, but check in advance that the shuttles are stopping there.
Before you get to the waterfalls, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding mountain range and St. Mary Lake.
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Forest fires have cleared the view in recent years. Dusty Star Mountain, over 8,000 feet high, looms right in front of you as you descend toward St. Mary Falls.
St. Mary Falls drops about 35 feet between three different cascades, though the bottom two are the more exceptional.
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A bridge across the pool allows hikers to snap a great photo of the water rushing down.
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To get to Virginia Falls, continue on the trail, which begins to climb in elevation.
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There are actually a few unnamed waterfalls on the way—such is the splendor of this park that there are too many waterfalls to name.
By the time you reach Virginia Falls, you’ve only hiked 1.7 miles and you’ve already seen several waterfalls!
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Virginia Falls drops about 50 feet. You can walk right up to it and feel the spray on your face, which feels wonderful in the summer sun.

You can continue on the trail for more views of the lake, or head back to the trailhead.

Parking is limited at the St. May Falls trailhead, so plan on arriving early or taking the shuttle. This is one of the most popular hiking spots in the park for the reasons outlined above: it’s beautiful and it’s fairly easy!

Have you hiked on this trail? What are some other trails in Glacier National Park that you recommend? Let us know in the comments!

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