The retreat runs from a private lakefront chalet and guest house on Swan Lake, near Bigfork in northwest Montana. You sleep in the chalet, eat there, and use its decks, dock, hot tub and canoes between hikes. Glacier National Park is close enough for day trips, which is the whole point of the week.

Day two is the Hidden Lake Overlook hike from Logan Pass — 2.8 miles, moderate, with an optional dip in the water and views across the alpine landscape. Day four is longer: the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake, 5.5 miles and three to four hours, through cedar forest to a lake fed by waterfalls, then a picnic and scenic stops along Going-to-the-Sun Road on the way back.

Yoga runs alongside the walking rather than instead of it. Mornings are active classes before breakfast; evenings are restorative, with a sound healing and yoga nidra session built in. Christa and Amber, who lead, adjust the classes for mixed levels — one guest who came in nervous about not being "a huge yogi" said her practice improved over the few days.

Day three is deliberately empty of hiking. Sunrise yoga, breakfast, then the lake: swimming, canoeing, the dock, the hot tub, and a sound healing session at 5:30 before dinner and stargazing. The itinerary is weather-dependent and all activities are optional, so you can skip a hike and stay by the water if you want to.

What separates this from a generic hiking week is the house. Guests' reviews keep returning to the same things — the size and cleanliness of the property, the food, the hot tub and fire pit at night, and the fact that a group of strangers ends up friends by day five. It is a small-group trip, not a big organised tour.

What's included

- 5 days, 4 nights at a private lakefront chalet and guest house on Swan Lake - Daily yoga and meditation - Sound healing and yoga nidra session - Guided hikes in Montana's mountain landscapes - Glacier National Park excursions, including the Highline Trail and Avalanche Lake area - Swimming in alpine lakes and at Swan Lake - Airport transportation to and from the retreat accommodation - Use of the lakefront property, including hot tub, decks, dock and canoes - Free time to relax, explore and swim

What's not included

- Flights to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) - Meals and beverages, unless otherwise specified - Travel insurance - Additional activities, rentals or excursions outside the planned itinerary

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