A bird sitting on a nest of eggs.

Hiking Near Essex, Montana

Shorter Routes icon

Shorter Routes

These hikes keep it under 5 miles and climb less than 1,500 feet, making them ideal for quicker outings or lower-key days. Perfect for a morning stretch, a casual afternoon, or getting outside without committing to a big push. Don’t let the stats fool you — many still pack in great views and rewarding moments.

No Name Lake Hike

Hike Route

No Name Lake Hike

Lake
easy
2.63 mi
+854 ft
Upper Two Medicine Lake Hike

Hike Route

Upper Two Medicine Lake Hike

Lake
easy
2.12 mi
+367 ft
Aster Park Overlook Hike

Hike Route

Aster Park Overlook Hike

Lake
easy
1.87 mi
+650 ft
Swan River Nature Trail

Hike Route

Swan River Nature Trail

easy
4.02 mi
+27 ft
Avalanche Lake Hike

Hike Route

Avalanche Lake Hike

Lake
easy
2.48 mi
+110 ft
St. Mary / Virginia Falls

Hike Route

St. Mary / Virginia Falls

Birding
moderate
1.54 mi
+313 ft
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Adventurous Routes

These routes go beyond 10 miles and are built for days when you want to cover more ground and push a little deeper. Expect longer distances, more effort, and bigger payoffs — whether that’s remote terrain, summit views, or a full-day challenge. Ideal for hikers looking to go farther and stay out longer.

Park Creek

Hike Route

Park Creek

Birding
moderate
33.14 mi
+4,083 ft
Elk Lake

Hike Route

Elk Lake

extreme
12.59 mi
+3,041 ft
Coal Nyack Loop

Hike Route

Coal Nyack Loop

Birding
moderate
35.58 mi
+4,023 ft
Continental Divide Trail: Montana-Idaho Section 26

Hike Route

Continental Divide Trail: Montana-Idaho Section 26

Views
strenuous
15.89 mi
+1,568 ft
Montana Trail Section 3

Hike Route

Montana Trail Section 3

moderate
116.49 mi
+16,621 ft
Pitamakan/Dawson Loop

Hike Route

Pitamakan/Dawson Loop

Lake
strenuous
17.45 mi
+3,611 ft

Other Nearby Routes

Not finding what you're looking for? These additional nearby hikes offer more ways to get outside and explore the area. With a mix of lengths, difficulty levels, and terrain, you're likely to find something that fits your plans for the day. And remember, you can always use the onX Route Builder to create your own adventure from scratch.

Snake Loop Trail

Hike Route

Snake Loop Trail

moderate
5.41 mi
+1,620 ft
Firebrand Pass

Hike Route

Firebrand Pass

Fall Colors
strenuous
5.14 mi
+1,959 ft
Cobalt Lake

Hike Route

Cobalt Lake

Lake
moderate
5.55 mi
+1,551 ft
Martha Lake

Hike Route

Martha Lake

Lake
moderate
5.51 mi
+1,771 ft
Jewel Basin Loop

Hike Route

Jewel Basin Loop

Fall Colors
strenuous
7.83 mi
+2,150 ft
Scenic Point Out and Back

Hike Route

Scenic Point Out and Back

Lake
strenuous
7.66 mi
+2,341 ft