Exploring Popular Hiking Trails Surrounding Missoula, Montana: A Guide on Choosing the Right Paths (And Those to Steer Clear Of)
In the heart of Montana, the Missoula area boasts a wealth of stunning hiking trails that cater to all levels of experience. From easy strolls to challenging treks, these trails offer a diverse range of experiences, each with its unique charm and panoramic views.
One such trail is the Holland Lake & Falls, located 1.5 hours from Missoula. This 3.1-mile trail, with an elevation gain of 495 feet, takes hikers through a ponderosa forest to a picturesque waterfall and lake, offering a serene escape from the bustling city. However, it is essential to note that bathroom facilities and phone service are not available on this trail.
For those seeking a less strenuous, yet rewarding hike, Waterworks Hill might be the perfect choice. This moderate-difficulty trail offers town views, wildflowers, and the opportunity to see both the "M" and the "L" trails. It is a less suffer-fest alternative to the "M" trail, making it an appealing option for many hikers.
The author, an avid hiker, has learned to prefer certain trails in the Missoula area, especially those that offer a genuine Wilderness experience with panoramic mountain vistas. Among these top picks are the Blue Mountain Trail and a Guided Alpine Lake Hike in the Bitterroot Mountains.
Blue Mountain, with its 41-mile trail network, supports hiking, mountain biking, and other activities. From the summit, hikers can enjoy expansive views of the Missoula Valley, the Bitterroot Mountains, and the Sapphire Mountains. The hike offers fire tower views with clear visibility up to 100 miles on good days. With a distance of about 12.2 miles round trip, the hike can be considered moderately challenging due to its length and elevation gain.
The Guided Alpine Lake Hike in the Bitterroot Mountains ascends a glacially carved canyon to a stunning alpine lake, Camas Lake. This hike offers spectacular mountain views and the unique opportunity to float on the alpine lake using pack rafts. With a distance of approximately 6 miles round trip and a moderate difficulty level, it is suitable for people in good shape.
For a more leisurely hike, the Milwaukee Trail is a pathway going east from Allegiance Field, passing through several parks and following the Clark Fork River. For those who prefer a flat walk near the river, Kelly Island Loop, a 0.9-mile loop on the Clark Fork River, is an excellent choice.
For dog owners, Blue Mountain Recreation Area is home to over 40 miles of trails that wind through the forest, allowing for off-leash dog walking (with proper voice recall). Bear Creek, recommended as an alternative to Rattlesnake Recreation Area for a hike, offers river, forest, and mountain views.
Mount Sentinel via Crazy Canyon, Heart & Pearl Lakes Trail, Morrell Falls National Recreation Trail, and Blodgett Canyon Overlook are other hikes in the Missoula area that offer various levels of difficulty and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Pattee Canyon, a series of trails just 10 minutes outside of town, winds through beautiful ponderosa pine forests and is relatively flat. Bear Creek Overlook offers an incredible view of the canyon, which was carved out by Ice Age glaciers and features steeply carved granite mountainsides.
Last year, the author hiked over 250 miles on over 75 hikes, most of which were in the Missoula area. The author considers most trails in and near Missoula to be a "walk", but prefers "hikes" in the mountains. These top real hikes in the Missoula area within the Bitterroot Mountains with mountain views provide genuine Wilderness experiences with panoramic mountain vistas characteristic of the Bitterroot Mountains region near Missoula.
- The Missoula area's Holland Lake & Falls trail offers a serene escape for hikers, providing a picturesque waterfall and lake, but it's crucial to note that bathroom facilities and phone service are not available on this trail.
- Waterworks Hill, with its town views, wildflowers, and the opportunity to see both the "M" and the "L" trails, serves as a less strenuous yet rewarding hiking choice.
- The author, an avid hiker, favors trails offering a Wilderness experience with panoramic mountain vistas, such as the Blue Mountain Trail and the Guided Alpine Lake Hike in the Bitterroot Mountains.
- The Blue Mountain Trail boasts a 41-mile trail network supporting hiking, mountain biking, and other activities, with expansive views of the Missoula Valley from the summit.
- The Guided Alpine Lake Hike in the Bitterroot Mountains ascends to Camas Lake, offering spectacular mountain views and the opportunity to float on the alpine lake using pack rafts.
- For a more leisurely hike, consider the Milwaukee Trail or the Kelly Island Loop, both offering a flat walk near the river and beautiful views of the Clark Fork River.