Trains, Bikes and Bears!
As avid cyclists, we are always on the lookout for new places to explore on two wheels. And when we heard about the opportunity to take our bikes on the Amtrak train to West Glacier, we knew we had to try it.
It’s not every day that one gets to combine train travel with biking in one trip. After 27 h hours of train ride, my husband Nick and I, arrive at our destination – West Glacier, the gateway to the famous Glacier National Park.
Even as tired as we were, the stoke was high as we unloaded our bikes and start pedaling towards our accommodation for the next few days – the historic Belton Chalet.
The Belton Chalet is a charming lodge that dates back to the early 1900s. It’s located just a few yards from the train station and a few miles from the entrance of Glacier National Park. The chalet provides a perfect base for exploring the park on our bikes.
As we check into our cozy rooms, we can’t help but admire the rustic and vintage charm of the chalet. The rooms were quaint and rustic but the bed was comfortable.
After settling in I spent the first day in the park exploring. The park is easily accessed by bike trail or road. The park was still slow as the kids were in school and families were not there yet.
On day two, we waste no time and head straight to our first biking destination – Going-to-the-Sun Road. This iconic road winds through the heart of Glacier National Park, offering stunning views of mountains, glaciers, and lakes along the way. As we pedal through the winding roads and take in the breathtaking scenery, we can’t believe our luck to be experiencing this on our bikes.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is not an easy ride, with steep climbs and sharp turns. But the challenging terrain is well worth it when we reach the loop and are greeted by the majestic views of the snow-capped mountains. The snow removal crews were still working on the road and the avalanche stop during the week was the loop. We stop for a well-deserved break and take in the beauty around us before continuing our descent back to the chalet.
As we reach back to the Belton Chalet, we realize that we couldn’t have picked a better place to stay. The peaceful atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food at the chalet make it the perfect retreat after a day of biking.
Over the next few days, we continue to explore the park on our bikes, taking in the sights and sounds of the majestic Glacier National Park. The rides became more spectacular as the week went on. We rode the Inside North Fork Road towards Polebridge. For an entire day we did not see another human being other than each other. We saw lots of bear markings but did not see any bear…I am sure that they saw us though.
I could not leave Glacier National Park without one more journey up Going To The Sun Road. This time it was raining, 38 degrees at Avalanche Campground, and colder up the mountain. Looking forward to the sights, and being able to go further up the mountain, my day was set. The road did not disappoint as I rode into the fog at the top. I was amongst wildlife such as goats and black bears.
Our time in West Glacier and the Belton Chalet passes by in a blur, and soon it’s time to pack our bikes and head back to Lacrosse on the Amtrak train. As we watch the picturesque views of Montana pass by, we can’t help but feel grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime trip that allowed us to combine our love for biking and train travel.
So if you’re looking for a unique and adventurous trip, I highly recommend taking the Amtrak train with your bikes to West Glacier and experiencing the beauty of Glacier National Park on two wheels. And don’t forget to stay at the Belton Chalet for a truly unforgettable experience.