There are so many fun attractions in Missoula such as the carousel, the farmers market, and Brennan's wave that people will surf in the spring and summer. But none of those are more prominent than the landscape that surrounds it. With lush forests, accessible mountains, and more beautiful flowers in the spring than my brain can remember the names to. The trails surrounding the area are absolutely incredible. The most renowned trail is the “M” trail, but Missoula is more than just that one trail. There are so many trails surrounding the area it would take a few weeks to explore them all. Here are some of my top 5 trails in the surrounding Missoula area that are not the “M” trail.
The first trail that I always gravitate towards is the Crazy Canyon trail over in Pattee Canyon. This trail is not only relatively easy, a great place for animals, good for skiing in the winter, and awesome for children, but is also one of the back ways to the top of Mount Sentinel. It is about 7 miles up to the top of the mountain from the trailhead. One of my favorite parts about this trail is the myriad possibilities for ways to go. Every time I hike up there, I can find a new route and be completely amazed by the ponderosa pines that shade the sides of the trails. The journey to the trailhead is only about 10 minutes outside of the valley of Missoula. Some days you will see bikers, hikers, and dog walkers roaming the trail, some days you will see no one for a while. This trail is not far from Missoula but completely envelops you in the surrounding nature. In the winter this trail is home to cross country skiers and I have hiked it in the winter as well. An all around great hike for any season.
Another trail that I really enjoy is the Kim Williams Nature Trail. This isn’t as much of a hike as it is a nice walk or jog along the river. With this trail you will be paralleling the Clark Fork River, as walking alongside the flank of Mount Sentinel. This is an out-and-back hike that stretches from downtown toward East Missoula. The Kim Williams is 9.8 miles long, although the elevation gain is negligible. This trail is really good for kids who might not want to walk up hills. You can have dogs on this trail but must keep them leashed. This trail is an amazing way to experience walking or biking along the river. Strolling between two mountains is breathtaking, as you can feel the power of the mountain beside you. This trail is also great for any time of the year and has little off shoots so you can go down to the river and sit quietly. All throughout this year with COVID I have utilized this trail heavily for my daily bike rides and walks. This trail can be a little more crowded because of its proximity to town and to the University of Montana campus, but if solitude isn't what you are looking for, this is the perfect trail for you.
If you are in Missoula in the spring and love wildflowers, this next trail might be for you. The North Hills Sunlight Trail is located in the Rattlesnake area, over by the Duncan Drive Trailhead. This trail, although simple, displays the most beautiful Rocky Mountain wildflowers in the spring. When you hike this trail, you get to see the Rattlesnake Creek valley and the city of Missoula from a new point of view. This trail does allow dogs to be off leash and is easy for kids. If you are coming in the summer, just be warned: there is not a lot of shade to block that warm summer sun, so remember water and sunscreen. But this trail has an amazing view of town and of the Rattlesnake wilderness. It is a very scenic trail while also only being about a 10 minute drive from downtown
A trail that is wonderful for so many different activities, including backpacking and fishing is the Rattlesnake Trail. This trail stretches over 30 miles, so there’s plenty of room to walk for a little bit or just keep going until your legs get tired. It is an out-and-back trail, with a multitude of other trails springing off of the main route. Rattlesnake is good for day hikes and overnight trips. Although it gains in elevation more than 2000 feet, it’s gradual and is still good for families. That elevation gain is spread over all 33.9 miles. You can have dogs on this trail but they do need to be on a leash. You can also mountain bike on this trail and ride horses. There is also a lot more trails back in the Rattlesnake. This is a great trail for those who want an easier hike or run. But this trail can also be very accommodating to people who are considering backpacking. There are a lot of trails
My final recommendation is the classic Waterworks Hill hike. This is a relatively short trail, but has a lot of different offshoots of different trails. It is very close to downtown Missoula and you will be able to see a beautiful view of Mt. Jumbo, Mt. Sentinel, the Rattlesnake, and the Missoula Valley. This trail goes to the famous Peace Sign that was put up back in the 60s. An easy day hike that is super family friendly. Dogs are allowed on this hike as well. I have hiked this on a beautiful chilly spring day and it was just perfect.
This is not even close to a complete list of trails around the area. After three years here, I am still trying to find new exciting trails to explore, and you should too! When you come to Missoula remember to also get out, stretch your legs, and breathe in some mountain air on our spectacular nearby trails.
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