Glacier Gorge Private Hike
Day Hike Tours
5-8 Hours 7-10MI / 11-16KM
Trip Highlights
The Glacier Gorge Hike takes us into the justifiably very popular Bear Lake – Glacier Gorge part of Rocky Mountain National Park. This area features mountain scenery that is as breathtaking and beautiful as any in the world, literally. Glacier Gorge is a sub-alpine valley that drains several high mountain cirques. Our hike is characterized by dense forests, meadows, waterfalls, alpine lakes, glaciers and mountain cirques.
Our hike takes us past Alberta Falls, a beautiful waterfall below treeline. We’ll continue up a timbered valley with a tumbling creek to Loch Vale, a mountain lake at over 10,000 feet ringed by granite cliffs. We’ll stop on the idyllic shores of Loch Vale and enjoy a picnic lunch. From here we have many options which include hiking to more lakes, continuing to views of glaciers, or returning back the way we came. This tour can be very flexible, and while we rate it Level 2 difficulty, it can easily be done as a great Level 3 hike. Your guide will be ready to do whatever is going to make your day an unforgettable one!
(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)
-
Alpine Lakes & Views
-
Wildlife & Wildflowers
-
Stunning Waterfall
-
Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking {oles
-
Amazing Natural & Cultural History
-
Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
-
Trip Type
Day Hike Tours -
Trip Length
5-8 Hours -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-10 mi -
Group Size
1-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
"*" indicates required fields
Is This Trip Right For me?
This tour is a customizable day hike depending on your ability and motivation. The region offers several well-maintained hiking trails leading to multiple alpine lakes. Hikes can range anywhere from 6 – 10 MI/ 10 – 16 KM with varying elevation change.
Difficulty Level
Learn More
Solitude Level
Learn More
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
Scroll horizontally to view all dates
Rates
- 1 person: $525
- 2 people: $275 per person
- 3 people: $245 per person
- 4-5 people: $205 per person
- 6-7 people: $175 per person
- 8-10 people: $115 per person
- 10 and younger: $135 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include guide gratuity
What's Included
-
Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
-
A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you'd like, and as is possible in a day
-
Transportation to the trailhead and back (originating/ending in Estes Park)
-
Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
-
Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
-
Use of trekking poles
What's Not Included
-
Entrance fee to Rocky Mountain National Park - you can pay the day fee or purchase an annual pass -
Clothing and personal items
-
Water (2 liters capacity)
-
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Estes Park by 7am or earlier the morning of your hike. If you are traveling into town the day of the tour, you will meet at the Estes Park Mountain Shop – 2050 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO.
Tours hiking above the tree line or attempting mountain summits will begin before sunrise. An early start is essential for safety to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Your guide will contact you approximately one week before your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous in Estes Park, as it may also be affected by weather forecasts.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in the Colorado Rockies
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 71° | 48° |
| July | 79° | 55° |
| August | 78° | 53° |
| September | 69° | 45° |
| October | 61° | 38° |
Reviews
- SORT BY:
- Most recent
- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Carli M
1 year agoExtremely Fulfilling
This is the perfect day hike for anyone wanting to deeply experience the natural beauty of the Rockies without having to climb a mountain. Our guide Emma seamlessly planned the perfect day that took us through iconic areas of the park in addition to a lake I really wanted to see. Having our own personal guide allowed us to go at our own pace and truly see everything we wanted to. This is all in addition to a delicious charcuterie lunch Emma prepared in front of a beautiful alpine lake. Cannot get any better than that!
Anthony M
1 year agoWonderful Day
I had the pleasure of joining a Glacier Gorge Day Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park with our amazing guide, Emma Eisler. From start to finish, Emma made the experience both educational and unforgettable. She had a wonderful way of explaining the local flowers, trees, and wildlife, and gave fascinating insights into how glaciers shaped the mountains and valleys we were hiking through. Her knowledge of the area’s geology and ecology really deepened my appreciation for the beauty around us. We hiked to see seven stunning lakes, from Bear Lake to Dream Lake and beyond, each more breathtaking than the last. Along the way, we experienced the incredible natural scenery and spotted wildlife in their natural habitat. The entire day was a perfect mix of learning and adventure, and Emma’s enthusiasm, expertise, and friendly personality made it even more enjoyable. If I return to Estes Park, I will absolutely request Emma as my guide again. This was a fantastic experience that I highly recommend to anyone visiting the Rocky Mountains.
Emily N
2 years agoChallenging enough to be fun
We had an amazing time with Leah as our guide! Our family of four (two adults and two grown kids) couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Leah was super knowledgeable about the local wildlife and made the whole hike really engaging by pointing out animals and plants we might have missed on our own. The hike itself was perfect for non-expert hikers like us—challenging enough to be fun, but totally doable. The views were absolutely gorgeous, and the lunch Leah provided was really good, giving us the perfect break to take it all in. We'd definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a fantastic guide!
You Might Also Like...
"*" indicates required fields
Leave a Reply