A bird sitting on a nest of eggs.

Hiking Near Polebridge, 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.

Howe Lake Trail

Hike Route

Howe Lake Trail

Lake
easy
1.59 mi
+72 ft
McDonald Falls

Hike Route

McDonald Falls

Views
easy
0.76 mi
+28 ft
Trail of the Cedars

Hike Route

Trail of the Cedars

Waterfall
easy
0.88 mi
+60 ft
Avalanche Lake via Trail of the Cedars

Hike Route

Avalanche Lake via Trail of the Cedars

Family Friendly
moderate
2.96 mi
+694 ft
Avalanche Lake Hike

Hike Route

Avalanche Lake Hike

Lake
easy
2.48 mi
+158 ft
Continental Divide Trail: Montana-Idaho Section 30C

Hike Route

Continental Divide Trail: Montana-Idaho Section 30C

Lake
moderate
4 mi
+866 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.

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Section 1

Hike Route

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Section 1

Lake
extreme
55.04 mi
+6,291 ft
Montana Trail Section 1

Hike Route

Montana Trail Section 1

Commonly Backpacked
strenuous
191.45 mi
+33,594 ft
Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Section 2

Hike Route

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Section 2

Lake
extreme
76.64 mi
+13,522 ft
Quartz Lake Loop

Hike Route

Quartz Lake Loop

Lake
extreme
12.49 mi
+2,889 ft
Boulder Pass Loop

Hike Route

Boulder Pass Loop

Birding
strenuous
34.74 mi
+5,265 ft
Montana Trail Section 2

Hike Route

Montana Trail Section 2

moderate
109.8 mi
+22,162 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.

Apgar Lookout

Hike Route

Apgar Lookout

Lake
moderate
7.1 mi
+1,926 ft
Mount Brown Lookout

Hike Route

Mount Brown Lookout

Lake
strenuous
9.94 mi
+4,256 ft
Loop Trail

Hike Route

Loop Trail

Views
strenuous
8.04 mi
+2,694 ft
Bullhead Lake

Hike Route

Bullhead Lake

Birding
moderate
6.86 mi
+440 ft
Iceberg Lake

Hike Route

Iceberg Lake

Birding
moderate
9.62 mi
+1,719 ft
Reynolds Mountain Out-and-Back

Hike Route

Reynolds Mountain Out-and-Back

Less Crowded
strenuous
5.22 mi
+1,406 ft