Piegan Pass Trail

Name: Piegan Pass Trail
Rating: 9.5

Panorama from the Piegan Pass hike in Glacier National Park, Montana

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Piegan Pass Trail is a great day out in the Many Glacier area that will take you to a spectacular viewpoint, complete with stunning mountain scenery. If you’re adventurous, try combining this with the Siyeh Pass trail, but that’s a darn long day!

Route Description for Piegan Pass Trail

You start the Piegan Pass trail hiking beside the Siyeh Creek in an open meadow. In the distance, there is a faint trail in front of you, running across the open rocky ridge. Your trail, however, veers right and takes you through a dense forest. The trail is very clear – typical for all park trails – and is well signposted. Follow the signs for the Siyeh Pass Junction.

As you climb, the trail will start to turn left again and you will begin to pass through several small meadows. These meadows give you the first view of Piegan Mountain across the valley and Mahtapi Peak above the path. Continue the gentle climb as you contour along the right side of the valley.

Finally, after 4.3 km of hiking, you will reach the Siyeh Pass Junction. Turn left to continue to our objective. Cross a stream then hike another couple hundred meters in the trees. Finally, emerge from the trees and enjoy gorgeous views down the valley across to Heavy Runner Mountain. Make sure to savor the panoramic views of Piegan Mountain as the objective becomes clear across the scree slope.

After almost 7.2 km you will come to the top of the grassy pass. Many people stop at the apex of the pass, however the most stunning views come from continuing down the other side of the pass to the end of the first switchback. Resting there gives you superb views of Cataract Mountain to your right and Piegan Mountain to your left, with the astounding sheer faces of Pollock Mountain, Bishop Cap, and Mount Gould running out down the valley.

Piegan Pass was one of four hikes in Glacier to have had a large train bell at the top. Along with Swiftcurrent Pass, Scenic Point, and Siyeh Pass, the bells were placed to advertise the local chalets and the Great Northern Railway. It also went along with the old Swiss custom of ringing bells from mountaintops to hear the vast echo. Placed in 1929, the Piegan Pass Bell was taken down in 1943 to donate to the scrap metal drive during World War II.

Return the way you came and soak the 360-degree panoramic views until you return to the tree line.

Find more epic hikes in Glacier National Park

Insider Hints for Piegan Pass Trail

Get here early to get a parking space or be prepared to use the free shuttle system in Glacier.
There are numerous options to extend this trip by hiking into the Many Glacier area or over to Siyeh Pass.

Getting to the Piegan Pass Trail Trailhead

Park at Siyeh Bend along the Going-to-the-Sun Rd, 3.5 km east of Logan Pass. Parking is very limited so get here early. The Piegan Pass Trailhead is right by Siyeh Creek, on the far side of the road.