Montana’s Best Bike Trails and Hidden Cycling Gems

I. Saddle Up for Big Sky Country Adventures

Montana ain’t just for cowboys and trout-chasin’ fly fishers. Nope—this here’s a land tailor-made for folks who ride on two wheels. From the craggy crowns of the Rockies to the hush-hush hush of wide prairie grasslands, the Treasure State’s got somethin’ for every kind of rider. Whether you’re coastin’ down paved trails or grindin’ up wild backcountry singletrack, there’s no shortage of space, beauty, or adventure.

In this guide, we’ll saddle up and trot through five of Montana’s most iconic, well-loved biking spots—tried and true classics for good reason. But we ain’t stoppin’ there. We’ll also blaze a path through five under-the-radar gems that only the bold and curious tend to find. These ain’t your everyday loops. We’re talkin’ hidden hot springs, ghost towns, and trails so quiet you’ll swear the pines are whisperin’ secrets.

If you’re dreamin’ of a ride with soul, grit, and the kind of scenery that sticks with you longer than saddle sores—well then, keep readin’. Big Sky Country is ready when you are.

II. Montana’s Biking Landscape: A Snapshot from the Saddle

Montana ain’t just varied—it’s dang near a buffet for bikers:

Urban cruisers: Smooth paved paths in towns like Missoula, Great Falls, and Helena.
Road riders: Scenic byways running beside mountain walls.
Mountain junkies: Singletrack heaven from Whitefish to Bozeman to Helena.
Bikepackers: Long, lonely gravel roads under vast, starlit skies.

Prime riding season stretches from May through September, though spring may still bring snowmelt and summer can hit hard with heat. Fall paints the valleys gold and chills the crowds. But heed this warning: You’re ridin’ in real bear country. The weather can dump hail or snow faster than a jackrabbit’s sprint. Cell service? Sparse past the trailheads.

So gear up smart:

Bear spray and food stored proper.
Water filter for creek sips.
Layers & rain gear—mountain weather is fickle.
Trail etiquette—yield to hikers, avoid soft ground and erosion.
Prep for remote riding—bring tools, know the route, expect the unexpected.

III. Top 5 Iconic Biking Trails in Montana: The Must‑Ride Classics

1. South Hills Trail System (Helena)

Type: Mountain, singletrack (~80 miles)
Skill Level: Easy to difficult
Highlights: IMBA Silver‑Level trail center, ridges, rock gardens, urban access

Helena’s got a backyard you can ride right out the door. Four ridges, 80 miles of singletrack—from lush forest to rocky climbs and wide-open ridgelines. Several loops like Mount Helena Ridge and Rodney Ridge: Top of the World, all impeccably maintained thanks to Helena’s IMBA Silver status. That sunshine keeps the season long, the trails dry, and the views clear.

2. Bitterroot Trail (Missoula → Hamilton)

Type: Paved rail-trail (~50 miles)
Skill Level: Family-friendly
Highlights: Flat grade, charming towns, historical sites

Rolling through the Bitterroot Valley, this smooth, mostly flat trail connects Missoula to Hamilton. It runs beside the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains, passing through Lolo, Florence, Stevensville, and Victor—perfect for pit stops. You’ll roll past Lewis & Clark history and historic missions, making it equal parts scenic and cultural.

3. Bangtail Divide Trail (Bozeman)

Type: Mountain singletrack (22–24 miles)
Skill Level: Intermediate to difficult
Highlights: IMBA Epic, ridgelines, shuttle-friendly ride setup

This Bozeman favorite climbs through lush forest to high alpine ridgelines boasting sweeping views of six mountain ranges. With over 4,500 feet of climbing and exhilarating downhill flow, it lives up to its IMBA Epic rep. Ride south-to-north for the best gradient and consider a shuttle back from Brackett Creek.

4. River’s Edge Trail (Great Falls)

Type: Mixed paved & MTB (~55 miles)
Skill Level: All levels
Highlights: Urban charm meets technical trails (“Chaos,” “Mayhem”)

Flowing along the Missouri River in Great Falls, this trail offers peaceful paved paths and gnarly off-road sections like “Mayhem.” It connects parks, historic bridges, waterfalls, and scenic river canyons. Ideal for riders who want both an easy cruise and a technical workout in the same day.

5. Whitefish Trail & Whitefish Mountain Resort (Whitefish)

Type: Mixed XC & downhill (~42 miles + lift rides)
Skill Level: All levels, from beginners to freeride experts
Highlights: Community-built XC loops plus lift-access downhill grins

By day, you can pedal community-built trails hugging the woods and lakes. By afternoon, you’ve got lift-access downhill playtime with trails from easy to expert, and freeride lines up Spencer Mountain. Wildlife roams free. Lift tickets get you extra fun, but the XC trail network stays non-motorized and family-friendly.

Table 1: Top 5 Montana Biking Trails

Trail Name	Location	Type	Length	Difficulty	Highlights
South Hills Trail System	Helena	Mountain singletrack	~80 miles	Easy → Difficult	IMBA Silver‑Level, urban access
Bitterroot Trail	Missoula → Hamilton	Paved rail-trail	50–51 miles	Family‑friendly	Flat, scenic towns, historic sites
Bangtail Divide Trail	Bozeman	Mountain singletrack	22–24 miles	Intermediate → Advanced	IMBA Epic, ridgeline flow
River’s Edge Trail	Great Falls	Mixed (paved/MTB)	~55 miles	All levels	Dual tech/paved, scenic & urban mix
Whitefish Trail & Resort	Whitefish	XC + downhill	42+ miles	All levels	Lift‑access, freeride, wildlife

IV. 5 Hidden Gems: Montana Biking Adventures Off the Beaten Path

1. Route of the Hiawatha (Idaho–Montana Border)

Type: Rail-trail (~15 miles, one-way downhill)
Difficulty: Family-friendly
Special Sauce: 10 dark tunnels, high trestles, shuttle service for convenience

This rail-trail’s a bucket-list ride: ten pitch-black tunnels, 1.6% gradient, and sky-high trestles—you feel like you’re ridin’ a flying train. Bring lights. Shuttles and rentals from Lookout Pass mean it’s easy for families or casual riders looking for a thrill.

2. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (MT Segment)

Type: Bikepacking (~800 miles in MT)
Difficulty: Demanding
Special Sauce: World’s longest off-pavement route, ghost towns, rugged wildlife encounters

If you’re hankerin’ for the ultimate endurance test, this is it. You’ll ride through vast mountain ranges, across the Continental Divide, through grizzly country. Pack light but smart—this is serious backcountry terrain that’ll test your grit more than any gravel grinder ever could.

3. Tobacco Root Gravel Loop (SW Montana)

Type: Gravel bikepacking (~150 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Special Sauce: Natural hot springs, abandoned mines, and history

This loop winds ’round the Tobacco Roots with burly climbs and sweet descents, plus soaks in hot springs after a hard day’s ride. Ride through ghost mining towns and soak in both scenery and history with scant crowds.

4. Little Belt Cabin Connector (Central Montana)

Type: Gravel bikepacking (~190 miles, 6-day ride)
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Special Sauce: USFS rental cabins, hike-a-bike climbs, seclusion

Picture a figure-eight route, linkin’ up five remote cabins in the Little Belts. Bring tires over 2.1″, reserve well in advance, and get ready for red-the-moon solitude and ridge-top views. This one’s part comfort, part wild adventure.

5. Blacktail Ridge – Skeebogan – Beaver Ponds Trail (Butte)

Type: MTB loop (15.4 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate/difficult
Special Sauce: Lodgepole/aspen forest, ghost railroad grade, tunnels, fast-flow solitude

What Butte lacks in fame, it makes up for in mystery. This hidden loop blends twisty singletrack, bits of old Milwaukee rail grade, marshy Beaver Ponds, and technical rock sections—all without the crowds.

Table 2: Hidden Gems at a Glance

Trail Name	Location	Type	Length	Difficulty	Hidden Feature
Route of the Hiawatha	Idaho–Montana border	Rail‑trail	15 miles	Family‑friendly	Dark tunnels & sky-high trestles
Great Divide MTB Route (Montana)	Canadian border → Butte	Bikepacking	~800 miles	Demanding	Longest off‑pavement route, grizzlies
Tobacco Root Gravel Loop	Southwest Montana	Gravel bikepacking	~150 miles	Moderate–hard	Hot springs & ghost mines
Little Belt Cabin Connector	Central Montana	Gravel bikepacking	190 miles	Moderate–hard	USFS cabins, solitude
Blacktail Ridge – Beaver Ponds Loop	Butte	MTB loop	15.4 miles	Moderate–hard	Railroad tunnels, forest flow

V. Planning Your Big Sky Bike Adventure

Best Time to Ride

May–September is your window.
Snow lingers up high until June; wildfires can flare late summer.
Spring thaw and fall color bring fewer crowds—but chiller temps and occasional freeze.

Gear Essentials

Bike choice: Road for paved paths; gravel for mixed terrain; full-susp MTB for singletrack.
Lights: Especially vital in tunnels like the Hiawatha.
Bear spray for griz country.
Water filter is a must in the backcountry.
Pack layers—rain, warm nights, surprise hail.
Tool kit: Tube patches, multitool, chain lube.
Navigation backup: GPS, paper map, and spare battery.

Safety First

Wildlife caution: Make noise, carry spray, stash food properly.
Ride with buddies in remote zones—groups of three minimum.
Yield to hikers/horses.
Check trail conditions—muddy trails lead to erosion.
Carry comms: Satellite or PLB in dead zones.

Local Help & Resources

Good shops and trail orgs offer rentals, intel, and repairs:

Whitefish: Glacier Cyclery, Great Northern Cycle & Ski, A7 Cycles
Helena: Big Sky Cycling, The Garage, Great Divide Cyclery
Bozeman: Round House Ski & Sport, Bangtail Bicycle
Missoula: Missoula Bicycle Works, The Bicycle Hangar
Online trail maps: Trailforks, RideWithGPS, Singletracks.
Trail advocate support: Flathead Area MTBers, Prickly Pear Land Trust.

VI. Your Montana Biking Story Awaits

Montana’s more than just good views—it’s an open invitation to ride wild and free. From urban‑edge singletrack to end-spur hot springs gravel wanderin’, from shuttle‑powered fun runs to multi‑thousand‑mile bikepacking pilgrimages—there’s a trail here with your name on it.

So pack your panniers, lube your chain, check your lights, and bring your grit. Your ride through Big Sky Country isn’t just a trip—it’s a story waiting to be told.