The Siyeh Pass Trail is widely considered one of the finest day hikes in Glacier National Park — a roughly 10-mile point-to-point traverse that climbs through flower-filled meadows to a high alpine pass with top-of-the-world views, then descends a dramatic canyon toward Saint Mary Lake. With about 2,250 feet of elevation gain to a high point near 8,080 feet, it's a strenuous but hugely rewarding outing that samples the very best of Glacier: wildflowers, glaciers, wildlife, and staggering mountain scenery.

The classic route begins at Siyeh Bend on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and ends at Sunrift Gorge, so it's a one-way hike — you'll ride the park shuttle back to your car (more on that below). From the trailhead the path climbs about 2.5 miles through forest before opening up; where the trail splits, keep toward Preston Park, one of the most beautiful subalpine meadows in the park and a perfect spot to rest beneath 10,000-foot Mount Siyeh. From the meadow, a series of switchbacks climbs the flank of Matahpi Peak to the pass itself — the high point of the hike, with sweeping views over several drainages at once.

The descent is every bit as spectacular. Dropping toward Baring Creek, hikers pass close to Sexton Glacier, wander through wildflower slopes, and often spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep on the rocky heights. Depending on the season you may cross lingering snowfields. The trail finally winds down to Sunrift Gorge on the shore of Saint Mary Lake, where you catch the shuttle back to Siyeh Bend.

Plan around the logistics. The hike sits along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and reaching the trailheads is easiest via the park's free shuttle — but in 2026 the shuttle requires a reservation (a small processing fee, released 60 days ahead or at 7 p.m. the night before). A park entrance pass is required. The high country stays snowbound much of the year, so the season generally runs from about mid-July into late September; check current trail and road status before you go.

Keep an eye on the rock underfoot, too. The colorful red and green cliffs here belong to the ancient Belt Supergroup, and the trail passes limestone of the Helena (Siyeh) Formation that holds stromatolites — fossilized mats of blue-green algae roughly 1.45 billion years old, among the oldest visible signs of life on Earth. It's a humbling thing to spot mid-hike: proof that this dramatic landscape has a story reaching back almost unimaginably far.

This is grizzly country, and bear sightings are common, so carry bear spray, know how to use it, and make noise on blind corners. Bring layers for fast-changing alpine weather, sun protection, plenty of water, and sturdy footwear for the long descent. Start early to secure parking and your shuttle, and give yourself the whole day — Siyeh Pass rewards every mile with the kind of scenery that makes Glacier famous.