The Best Trail Running Routes in Montana

This easy trail run, colloquially known as the "Grizzly Loop," begins from the easily-accessible trailhead on Porcupine Road. As some of the lowest-elevation and sunniest trails near the ultra-popular mountain town of Big Sky, these trails are hikeable for substantial portions of the year....

The Beehive Basin trail is one of the most famous hikes in Big Sky, and for good reason. This non-technical 3.4-mile trail leads to some of the most beautiful views in the region....

The South Cottonwood trailhead is located right on the outskirts of Bozeman, making it a very popular access point for the Gallatin mountain range. This trail can be filled with hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers at all times and on any day of the week—especially during mid-summer....

Other than the [Vertical Kilometer](https://fatmap.com/17/Big_Sky/trail_running/routeid/546572/The_Rut:_Lone_Peak_Vertical_Kilometer), the 11k is the shortest of three distances during The Rut. In contrast to the others, this could be considered the easiest course since racers stay on "lower and mid-mountain elevation singletrack trails on Big Sky Mountain Resort....

The Mules Loop combines the classic Second Yellow Mule and First Yellow Mule backcountry trails into a loop of epic proportions that can be completed directly from downtown Big Sky! The route as mapped here begins from the Ousel Falls Trailhead....

If you're looking for an epic run in the Spanish Peaks, but you want to escape from the press of the crowds found on the Beehive Basin trail, try this hike to Summit Lake instead....

The trailhead for Chestnut Mountain is easily accessible directly from an Interstate 90 exit, but the easy access is deceptive. This trail quickly becomes a surprisingly beautiful run that leads to a stunning 360-degree panorama of the Gallatin Range....

The Rut 20K is a new addition to the Rut Mountain Runs, a three-day celebration of mountain running in Big Sky, Montana. This challenging course will take you through some of the most scenic and rugged terrain in the Rocky Mountains, as you climb and descend over 4,000 feet of elevation....

Emerald Lake is often heralded as one of the most beautiful lakes tucked in the Gallatin Mountains above Bozeman. This route is a simple out-and-back to Emerald Lake with zero possibility of getting lost along the way....

The Hyalite Creek Trail follows the banks of a rushing mountain stream, crossing it multiple times as it works its way up to Hyalite Lake, high in the mountains above. This trail is an absolutely stunning run through a canyon! Along the way, it passes some 11 waterfalls, which are all worth checking out....

The so-called "Fairyhouse" loop combines the Fairy Lake and Shafthouse trails into one big loop, hence the mystical-sounding compound name. The ride begins from a trailhead along a two-wheel-drive dirt road by dropping down a short segment of ATV trail and then powering up a beautiful but brutal two-track towards Fairy Lake....

Limited to 235 runners in 2020, the Lone Peak Vertical Kilometer is renowned as "the hardest 3-mile 'run' you will ever complete. It's exactly what you'd think: one vertical kilometer of climbing over five kilometers of some of the toughest, most rugged and exposed terrain you can imagine....

Considered one of the most coveted trail running events in Montana, The Rut is one of the most difficult 50k courses imaginable. The 31-mile course includes a stifling 10,500' of climbing spread over a mixture of single and doubletrack, plus a bit off off-trail scrambling....

Considered one of the most coveted trail running events in Montana, the Rut includes the most challenging 28k you will ever run. The 17.6-mile course includes a staggering 7,800' of elevation gain and traverses "extremely steep & technical" terrain, especially as you approach the 11,166' summit of Lone Peak a little over halfway in....

Sacagawea Peak reigns as the highest point in the Bridger Range. While its 9,654-foot elevation doesn't sound like much compared to other Rocky Mountain summits, this mountain is rocky, rugged, and stunningly beautiful....

The Bridger Ridge Traverse is a renowned trail running challenge that draws runners from around the world. You can run the ridge during the [Bridger Ridge Run](https://winddrinkers.org/trailhead/races/ridge-run/) race or attempt it on your own time....