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Essex, Montana

Looking for the best hiking in Essex? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Essex. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Essex

  • Columbia Falls, Montana

    Hike to Apgar Lookout

    4.5
    7 mi / 1850 ft gain
    Precursor: I completed this hike in November, hence the snow in the photos. Due to a lack of tree coverage, this hike is best suited for a cool summer day, or in the late spring and early autumn. It is doable in the heat of the summer, but be sure to pack plenty of water. This hike begins by tre...
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  • Glacier County, Montana

    Triple Divide Pass Trail to Red Eagle Lake

    29.22 mi / 5499 ft gain
    A couple of notes to keep in mind before you start... this is a loop that takes you to a different part of the park so you will either need two vehicles (one for the pickup spot and one to take you to the trailhead) or you will need to hitchhike back to you drop off vehicle. Also you will need to...
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  • Hungry Horse, Montana

    Relax at Spotted Bear Beach

    Spotted Bear Beach is a secluded white sand beach in the middle of Montana. To get here from the town of Hungry Horse, drive east on Highway 2 for ½ mile to the East Side Reservoir Road #38. Turn right (south) onto Road #38 and drive on through the town of Martin City. After two miles the pavemen...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Backpack to Lincoln Lake

    16.75 mi / 3747 ft gain
    It's a 1600 ft slow increase in elevation. You can walk around the loose rocks going around the lake for an additional 2 miles of hiking. There is a back-country campground at the base of the glacier-fed lake and an amazing waterfall at the opposite end of the of the campground. To camp overnig...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Hike to the Mt. Brown Lookout

    5.0
    The trail is accessible (though sometimes covered in snow) year-round because the trailhead lies in the lower elevation area of the park. It begins at the Sperry Trailhead, located directly across the street from the lake McDonald Lodge. Follow the Sperry Trail for 1.6 miles until you reach the M...
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  • Bigfork, Montana

    Hike to Bond Lake

    5.0
    11.6 mi / 2300 ft gain
    From Kalispell, head south towards Swan Lake along Highway 83 until a sign for Bond Creek Trailhead is located on the east side oft the road near mile marker 71. Turning onto Forest Service Road #680 and after 1.5 miles, turning on FS Road #9507, the trailhead will be 2.3 miles after the intersec...
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  • Rising Sun, Montana

    Baring Falls via Piegan Pass Trail

    1.96 mi / 246 ft gain
    Baring Falls via Piegan Pass Trail is an out-and-back trail to a waterfall located near the southern end of St. Mary Lake in East Glacier Park Village, Montana.
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  • Flathead National Forest, Montana

    Hike Montana's Swan Crest Trail

    47 mi
    Getting There: Coming from Seeley Lake, take the road towards Bigfork. Continue until you get to mile marker 27 and turn right into the Morrell/Clearwater turn off. Stay on the road most traveled until you dead end at the trail head roughly 7 miles up the road. Park here. The Trail: The trail ...
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  • Hungry Horse, Montana

    Hike to the Blue Lakes

    2 mi / 100 ft gain
    The drive out to the trailhead where this hike starts is an adventure in and of itself. As the Forest Service website describes it. "Silvertip Trailhead is accessed from Highway 2. From the town of Hungry Horse, drive east on Highway 2 for ½ mile to the East Side Reservoir Road #38. Turn right (s...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hike to Sun Point

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 250 ft gain
    With panoramic views of St. Mary Lake and it’s surrounding peaks, Sun Point is the perfect spot to chill/relax in Glacier National Park.  It can be reached via the Sun Point Nature Trail or the Sun Point picnic area.To reach Sun Point via the nature trail, start at Sunrift Gorge parking area.  Cl...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls in Glacier NP

    4.7
    5.43 mi / 500 ft gain
    This 5.4 mile out-and-back hike will take you to Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls.   Start your hike at the Sunrift Gorge parking area. Hike down the stairs on the south side of the road. Here you’ll see the trailhead for Baring Falls. Descend until you reach the Baring Falls/Sun Point junc...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Gunsight Pass to Gunsight Lake Campsite

    5.0
    13.06 mi / 1667 ft gain
    How to Get There: Get your backcountry pass at the St. Mary visitor center and then head over to the hike, which begins from the Jackson Glacier Overlook, located 12.6 miles west of the center on the Going-to-Sun-Road.  The Hike: The first mile of the hike is a downhill, and then the trail is ...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Reynolds Mountain

    4.5
    11 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Reynolds Mountain stands high above the Logan Pass Visitors Center. Because of it's easy location, be prepared to get caught in the heavy rush of tourists on the way up. Though most will not be going to Reynolds Mountain, you will still need to "wade" through heavy tourism to reach the trail he...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Summit Reynolds Mountain via the North Face Ascent Route

    7.9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Mt. Reynolds is a premier peak in Glacier National Park (GNP). The views from the beginning to the summit are incredible all the way around. Reynolds offers those who are starting to climb an introductory climb with little technicality and a reward that is well earned at the top. GNP requires an ...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hike Dragon's Tail Ridge

    3.5
    3 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Starting from Logan's Pass, make your way along the boardwalk that leads to the Hidden Lake Overlook. Depending on the previous winter, there may be quite a bit of snow covering large portions of the boardwalk and trail that leads to Dragon's Tail, so it is suggested that you take any necessary p...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hidden Lake Overlook

    5.0
    2.83 mi
    The trail starts at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, which is right in the middle of Going-To-The-Sun Road. It can be very busy during the middle of the day, but early morning and early evening will have less of a crowd. It's a pretty short hike in a beautiful wide open alpine meadow. We were gree...
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