Belly River / Chief Mountain CDT finish
~3 days · 27.7 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Belly River / Chief Mountain CDT finish is known for
The Continental Divide Trail's Chief Mountain alternate finish in Glacier National Park: from Many Glacier through Ptarmigan Tunnel, then down the Belly River valley past Elizabeth and Cosley Lakes to the Chief Mountain border crossing. Roughly 20-23 miles point-to-point, usually spread over 2-3 days using reserved backcountry campgrounds such as Elizabeth Lake; it is an officially recognized CDT terminus.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 14,961 ft to 24,327 ft over 27.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 12.1 mi · 44%
- Downhill 10.0 mi · 36%
- Flat 5.4 mi · 20%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Belly River / Chief Mountain CDT finish?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Belly River / Chief Mountain CDT finish scores 19/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Belly River / Chief Mountain CDT finish take?
Most backpackers hike the Belly River / Chief Mountain CDT finish in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 27.7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Belly River / Chief Mountain CDT finish?
The Belly River / Chief Mountain CDT finish climbs roughly 4,793 ft total — about 173 ft per mile, topping out near 7,543 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.