The Best Hikes in Montana

–A guest post by Mark Bennett from outdoorily.com.

Montana is famous for its beautiful mountainous terrain, and there’s no better way to experience it than getting out on the one of the many hiking trails. In this post, I present some of the best hikes that allow you to explore the stunning scenery of Montana’s Rocky Mountains.

Sweet Grass Trail (Crazy Mountains)

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Distance: 10.2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 3,418 feet

The Sweet Grass Trail is a moderate hike that starts begins at the Sweet Grass Creek drainage before climbing up to the creek’s south fork through the Custer Gallatin National Forest. From there, the hike progresses southwest to the Middle Fork Sweet Grass Divide above Campfire Lake. There are around 40 alpine lakes in the Crazy Mountains including the beautiful Campfire Lake. The Crazy Mountain range is isolated, lightly trafficked, and certain to treat you with sweeping views of the surrounding mountainous landscape with lakes and waterfalls along the way. Mountain goats and eagles can be easily spotted in the area.

Read More: Best Day Hike in Every State

Swiftcurrent Pass (Glacier NP)

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Distance: 14.2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet

Glacier National Park is home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails, with glacier peaked mountains, picturesque hidden lakes, stunning valleys and a wide range of wildlife and birdlife. It makes an excellent place for backcountry camping and hiking. Swiftcurrent Pass is one of the toughest hikes in Glacier National Park and could be a little daunting for beginners, but the breathtaking views make it all worth it. On the way, you pass by three lakes and a waterfall while traveling up to the lush green Swiftcurrent Valley. As you reach the end of the trail, you are rewarded with views of the Swiftcurrent Pass, as well as the six alpine lakes. Wildlife like mule deer can be spotted at Fishercap Lake around dawn or dusk. The trail is also a good option for bird watching.

Iceberg Lake (Glacier NP)

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Distance: 9.7 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 263 feet

This trail is one of the most popular in Glacier National Park. The aptly named Iceberg Lake Trail leads to you a cobalt blue alpine lake where you will have a chance to see melted icebergs. The lake is surrounded by 200 foot cliffs and is an ideal spot to soak in the natural beauty that makes Glacier such a popular national park. The trail promises picturesque views throughout, and as it shares the first few miles with the Ptarmigan trail, you get views of the Ptarmigan Wall as well.

Ptarmigan Tunnel (Glacier NP)

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Distance: 10.7 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet

The first few miles of this incredible hike are shared with the Iceberg Lake Trail. The hike is difficult yet rewarding, as the steep trail meanders through lush green meadows and dense forest. After a few miles of steep climbs, waterfalls flowing to the Ptarmigan valley will come into view. After another 1.6 miles beyond this point, you will arrive at Ptarmigan Lake. After two switchbacks, you arrive at the highlight of the trail: the 240-foot Ptarmigan Tunnel, which was built in the 1930’s to allow horses to pass through. Passing through the tunnel and arriving at the towering Ptarmigan Wall on the opposite end is truly an otherworldly experience. The wall stands more than 1,700 feet above the trail at this point, where you get stunning views of Elizabeth Lake, Natoas Peak and the Crosley Ridge.

The Many Glacier Campground is close to the Ptarmigan Tunnel and is a good option for those who like camping. If you are looking at options for sleeping bags, check out these sleeping bags we have used and found to be the best for backpacking in the Rockies.

There are countless other beautiful hikes in Glacier National Park…too many to include in this blog post. Some of the other popular hikes in Glacier National Park are Grinnell Glacier, Highline Loop, Cracker Lake, and Siyeh Pass Loop.

Note: Glacier National Park is bear country, so it is wise to check out these tips on Bear Safety before you go hiking there.

Wild Horse Island Loop Trail

Difficulty Level: Easy/Moderate

Distance: 3 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,142 feet

Wild Horse Island State Park is situated on Flathead Lake, and is the largest island in the largest freshwater lake (Flathead Lake) west of Minnesota. The history of this place goes back to the Salish-Kootenai Indians who used the island to protect the horses from the other tribes. The park is teeming with wildlife including mule deer, bighorn sheep, songbirds, falcons and bald eagles. Activities such as kayaking, hiking, swimming and fishing are popular here.

The park’s most popular hiking trail is the Wild Horse Island Loop Trail. The trail begins at the Flathead Lake and climbs through a ponderosa pine forest. Along the trail, you will see some remnants of the early inhabitants of the area. When you reach the hilltop, you will be greeted with spectacular panoramic views of the lake and the nearby town of Dayton.

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Distance: 45-50 miles round trip

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail traverses southwest Montana, an area of the state that receives relatively little tourism. This epic trail is defined by its glacier lakes, snow-capped peaks, mountain goats, and breathtaking scenery. The trek begins at Johnson Lake with moderate elevation gain leading up to the remote Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. The entire trail is 50 miles long and involves overnight camping by the six alpine lakes and hiking over two iconic passes (Pintler Pass and Rainbow Pass). Hikers who are looking for a rugged backcountry trip, this could be your next backpacking destination. There is also the option of hiking smaller segments of the trail rather than the full 50-miles.

So, that’s it guys! I hope you enjoyed reading the article and have found some ideas for your next hiking destination!

Author’s Bio: Mark Bennett is an American writer and traveler, whose major inspiration has been camping with his father ever since his childhood. He aims to visit 75 countries before he’s 30. You can also follow his adventures on his site outdoorily.com.