Don’t let the hordes of people at South Jenny Lake, the starting point for this hike, fool you. Most never make it more than a mile from the parking lot: that’s how you can actually have some solitude at Solitude Lake.

You could start your hike from the parking lot, but why when there’s a boat shuttle that cuts off two miles? (Making the hike 14 instead of 16 miles.) After disembarking at the boat dock on Jenny Lake’s western shore, follow signs for Inspiration Point/Cascade Canyon. The climb up to Inspiration Point is steep, but take heart that it is the hardest of the entire hike. And the views from the top are truly inspiring. From Inspiration Point continue westward and into Cascade Canyon, one of the most prominent canyons in the park and very visible from the Jenny Lake parking lot. Aside from a well-marked fork about four miles into the canyon, it is a straight shot.

While there’s no disputing this hike is long, valleys of wildflowers, plenty of wildlife – imagine moose and bear – and up-close-and-personal views of the park’s biggest peaks keep you distracted. Even if they don’t, when you finally spill out onto Solitude Lake you’ll see the effort was worth it. A dot of blue surrounded by lush grasses and flowers, it is perfect snuggling scenery. And, after having burned all those calories, the picnicking possibilities are endless.