Best Hiking in Montana

Trying to find the best hiking in Montana? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Montana, Glacier County

05 :52 hrs
5 mi
700.7062 ft
Expert

This historic tunnel was built in the 1930s by Civilian Conservation Corp for horses and early park tours, it features exceptional architecture. The beginning of this route shares the trail with the popular hike to Iceberg Lake. Just past Ptarmigan Falls, at approximately 3 miles the route forks from the Iceberg trail and begins an aggressive uphill climb through meadows to Ptarmigan Lake. From the lake it is additional 800 feet up a barren slope to the tunnel. After walking through this 250 ft. tunnel (6ft. wide by 9 ft. long) which cuts through Ptarmigan Wall, admire the burst of red rock on the other side, and the stunning views of Natoas Peak, Crosley Ridge, and the Belly Rivers as it flows into Elizabeth Lake. Depending on snowpack, the tunnel doors will open in July and close in early October so be sure to confirm the status at the ranger station before starting your adventure.

2

Wyoming, Crook County

01 :05 hrs
2.8 mi
89.46289 ft
Moderate

This is the longer of two loops which includes the Southside Trail and the Red Beds trail. You can also include the Valley View section which would add almost a mile. The Devils Tower is a one-of-a-kind monolithic feature that was the first to become a national monument. There is a fee charged upon entering the monument area.

3

Montana, Helena

00 :39 hrs
1.4 mi
84.19568 ft
Expert

The trail to Mini Machu is wide and well-maintained. The trail has a gradual ascent with views and rest points along the way. The trail becomes steeper, more narrow and more challenging as you near the base of the mountain.

4

Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park

00 :36 hrs
0.3 mi
105.829346 ft
Moderate

Most of this trail is a steel staircase and is quite steep down into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. There is a lookout point at the bottom with unmatched views of the canyon.

5

Montana, Glacier County

04 :24 hrs
4.6 mi
361.4723 ft
Expert

Iceberg Lake is a popular hike in Glacier National Park. After a steep beginning the rest of the hike has a comfortable, mild elevation gain. Watch closely as a junction approaches within the first mile. As with many other trails in the park, be cautious of the bears, it is common for this trail to be closed because of frequent bear activity. Near the last part of the hike watch closely for mountain goats and bighorn sheep on the grassy slopes above and to the right. There are amazing chunks of ice that float around the lake, usually until September, but the “icebergs” are larger and more scenic in July and August.

6

Montana, Flathead County

04 :20 hrs
11.4 mi
942.2738 ft
Expert

The Highline Trail is a one-way hike and an extremely popular hike. At every step, and every turn, you will have absolutely spectacular scenery as the Highline trail follows along the Continental Divide, also known as the Garden Wall in this area. The exceptional views, opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the wildflowers, with its exposed thousand-foot drop-offs make this a hike you’ll remember the rest of your life. En route, side trails lead to Grinnell Glacier Overlook and Swiftcurrent Lookout. At 7.6 miles you will reach the Granite Park Trail junction, to the right the Highline Trail continues on to fifty mountain campground. Head down the trail toward the Granite Park Chalet for a snack. The Granite Park Chalet was built in 1914 by the Great Northern Railway in order to provide comfortable backcountry accommodations inside the Park and is listed today as a National Historic Landmark. If you don’t want to purchase bottle water at the Chalet, (they do not provide drinking water) there is a stream you can filter water from. From the Chalet hook onto the Granite Peak trail also known as the Loop trail and travel for 4 miles till the parking lot and you can catch the hiker shuttle.

7

Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park

03 :58 hrs
2.3 mi
633.18823 ft
Hard

Located just inside the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park from Cody, Wyoming, avalanche peak rises above the timberline. The hike begins at picnic area on the west end of Eleanor Lake. You will likely encounter snow and wind at the higher elevations.

8

Wyoming, Teton County

00 :36 hrs
1.6 mi
12.446533 ft
Easy

This loop only covers a small amount of what there is to see in the Upper Geyser Basin, and it covers quite a bit. This is probably the most visited area in Yellowstone and it is not to be missed. There are many variations and spur trails off of this plotted route, but the route itself will show you an immense amount of thermal features.

9

Montana, Gallatin County

03 :43 hrs
3 mi
490.765 ft
Hard

This popular route is a favorite in the area. The trail travels through a dense evergreen forest alongside Cascade Creek. Enjoy the mini waterfalls on the journey up. This amazing lake was formed by a landslide damming the creek. It is nestled in a thick forest, surrounded by steep granite walls with views of the surrounding peaks. There are places to camp at the lake but there are no fires allowed within a half mile of the lake.

10

Montana, Gallatin County

12 :10 hrs
19.6 mi
1422.9104 ft
Extreme

This trail is long and burly, the perfect test piece for the individual looking for a serious challenge. Every year in late summer a trail running race, the Bridger Ridge Run, is held pitting 300 runners against each other, themselves and the ridge itself. Plan a shuttle for pick up at the end of the one way trail. The map shows the trail beginning at the "M" Trail, getting the first and most major climb out of the way first, however, individuals may wish to follow the course of the race, starting at Fairy Lake. Portions of the trail are faint and will require some route finding skills. Enjoy the views and bring plenty of food and water.

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