Boulder Pass Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Harrison Steen on Unsplash

Boulder Pass Trail

~3 days · 29.5 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance29.5 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain4,813 ft
Gain / mile163 ft
High point7,507 ft

What the Boulder Pass Trail is known for

Point-to-point route through the remote northwest corner of Glacier National Park, following Kintla Lake and Upper Kintla Lake before climbing over Boulder Pass, passing Hole-in-the-Wall, and crossing Brown Pass to finish in the Waterton Valley near Goat Haunt. About 30 miles one-way with sustained alpine scenery along the Continental Divide. Backcountry campgrounds (permit required) are spaced along the route; most parties take 3-4 days.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Boulder Pass Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 13,163 ft to 24,488 ft over 29.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 10.3 mi · 35%
  • Downhill 12.9 mi · 44%
  • Flat 6.3 mi · 21%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Boulder Pass Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the Boulder Pass Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 29.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Boulder Pass Trail?

The Boulder Pass Trail climbs roughly 4,813 ft total — about 163 ft per mile, topping out near 7,507 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — 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.

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