Beginner Hiking Trails in Montana
New to hiking in this state? We filtered the 6,160 mapped trails in Montana down to those rated easy — capped at six miles for the routes with a mapped distance — 6024 trails that prioritize a good first experience over mileage or elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beginner hiking trail in Montana?
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is our top beginner pick in Montana — easy difficulty at 3.1 miles, short and gentle enough for a first hike. 6023 more beginner-friendly options are listed below.
What makes a trail beginner-friendly?
Easy OpenStreetMap difficulty classification (gentle terrain, well-marked, no technical sections) combined with a shorter distance — long enough to feel like a real hike, short enough to finish comfortably without prior conditioning.
Is hiking in Montana good for beginners?
Yes — with 6024 mapped easy, short trails, Montana has more beginner-friendly options than a lot of areas get credit for.
How many beginner-friendly trails are there in Montana?
6024 of Montana's 6,160 mapped trails are rated easy difficulty and six miles or under — see the full list below.