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Chestnut Mountain Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 49 Google reviews · Running trail in Bozeman, Montana · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Chestnut Mountain Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking area that's kid-friendly, featuring rocks and frogs.
What runners say about Chestnut Mountain Trailhead
“Chestnut trail is in beautiful condition right now with the rain earlier this week.”
Very steep cat 1 climb. Official trail is 5.3 miles 2412 ft elevation, 9% grade to top then back down the way you came. (Total of 10.6 miles). The trail connects to other trails at the ridge at the official end of trail. The terrain is not very challenging; just a step grade.
This is a nice trail at a gentle grade. It was engineered to be a mountain bicycle trail. It gets to some nice views. But there is a lot of noise from the interstate for the 1st half of the hike
Chestnut trail is in beautiful condition right now with the rain earlier this week. Highly recommend riding this as a loop. Up Goose Creek and out Chestnut as the Chestnut trail gains 2180 feet in 4.3 miles with an average grade of 9.5%. Steep!!!
Convenient and well maintained trail. This will get you to Frog Rock or Chestnut Mountain. The trail is great for hiking but there is a fair amount of elevation change. That's a heads up only if you want to run it.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail is great for hiking but there is a fair amount of elevation change.”
“Chestnut trail is in beautiful condition right now with the rain earlier this week.”
“Parking is very limited, so carpool if you can.”
Plan your run at Chestnut Mountain Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemontanahikes.com
Running trails near Bozeman
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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