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College 'M' Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 353 Google reviews · Running trail in Bozeman, Montana · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from College 'M' Trail'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.
Tourist attraction featuring a hiking trail with scenic views at the top.
What runners say about College 'M' Trail
“Trails were well maintained although going down there's a fork for the medium/easy split, and we didn't know which way was which.”
“Just such a nice hike, with a great view on the top, the M is so cool and when I got up to it I was surprised by how big it was.”
“Overall, it's a safe hike outside of town that provides some great views and is family friendly.”
Note that while the hike up is only 0.5 miles, it is a pretty steep climb, so it feels much longer. There's an easier 1.5 mile loop that we took down. We did it with 4 kids, including a 4 year old, so it was a nice sense of accomplishment, but was certainly harder than we had expected.
The M Hike is a must-do in Bozeman! It’s a great workout with a steady climb, and the views from the top are absolutely worth it. Hiking in the snow made it even more beautiful—peaceful, crisp, and a little extra challenging.
There's a hard, medium, and easy route. The medium route branches off from the easy route (so go left at the sign as you're beginning). Trails were well maintained although going down there's a fork for the medium/easy split, and we didn't know which way was which. The sign at that fork didn't say anything.
My wife's cousin hikes this trail most days and wanted to show us when we visited. It is a beautiful trail that is varying in challenge based on which path you choose. No matter what you choose, the views at the top are incredible. This is a popular trail and you will not be alone.
Trail conditions & character
“Great hike, going up the right side is kind of steep, but if you continue past the M up to the ridge, The View overlooking the other side is incredible.”
“Great hike, going up the right side is kind of steep, but if you continue past the M up to the ridge, The View overlooking the other side is incredible.”
“Although the parking lot was packed, we saw relatively few people on the actual trail.”
“5 miles, it is a pretty steep climb, so it feels much longer.”
“There are 2 ways to get to the M, so depending on your fitness level, you can choose the long way or the short way.”
“For obvious reasons, the area is not wheelchair-friendly.”
“Bring water and expect muddy paths in the summer.”
“A 70 year old lady with a dog left me in the dust but I managed to make it to the M in about 45 minutes.”
Plan your run at College 'M' Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance5 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitegvlt.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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