Loading...

WINTER SALE! 50% OFF Supporter Accounts — now through January 31st. Learn More.

The M Trail

The M Trail in Missoula, Montana is a difficult 1.3-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the concrete "M" which sits along a hillside above the city.

This hike starts near the University of Montana football stadium and takes you to the enormous concrete 'M' that overlooks the city. The "M" is about halfway up Mt. Sentinel, and if you continue your hike up you will be rewarded with an even better view of the city, along with a view of I-90 as it leaves Missoula headed towards Butte, MT.

This is a short hike, but it climbs the whole way up, so you're sure to get a little warm or sweaty on your ascent, hence the "hard" difficulty rating. There are benches located at every switchback so there are plenty of opportunities to take a break.

Parking
Hikers will find parking at the coordinates provided at a very large parking lot.

Pets
Dogs are allowed if leashed and their waste should be carried out by the hiker.

Trail and photos provided in partnership by hike.io.

Know Before You Go

  • The M Trail is a challenging 1.3-mile hike in Missoula, MT, known for its steep incline to a large concrete "M" overlooking the city.
  • Located near the University of Montana, the trail offers benches for rest and the option to continue beyond the "M" for enhanced views of Missoula and I-90.
  • Dogs are permitted on a leash, with hikers responsible for removing pet waste, and parking is available at a large lot near the trailhead.
Interactive topographic map for The M Trail located in Missoula, MT. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
1.3 mi
Difficulty
Hard
Type
Out-and-Back
Est. Time
39 min
Elev. Gain
667'
Rating
0.0
Added
February 18, 2022
Updated
February 18, 2022

Weather Forecast

Loading...
Total Change
662'
Ascent
667'
Descent
667'
Loading...

Download the GPX Data for Offline Use

Supporters get exclusive access to download trail routes to the MyHikes app for offline use. Stay prepared on your adventure, even without an internet connection! Become a Supporter today to unlock this feature and hike with confidence.

Download The M Trail GPX Data to the MyHikes Mobile App

Features

Vista / Lookout Point
Dogs

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    46.862521, -113.980513
  2. Main Trailhead

    46.862204, -113.980464

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Your opinion matters! Be the first to rate this trail.

Ready to help fellow hikers? Add a trip report to share your experience and provide valuable insights for other hikers!

No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

Popular categories

Scenic mountain view representing vista trails
Vista trails
Scenic gorge of cascades representing waterfall trails
Waterfall hikes
Rugged mountain terrain representing summit trails
Summit trails
Scenic mountain view representing dog-friendly trails
Dog-friendly
Scenic campsite with a view representing camping trails
Camping trails
Appalachian Trail logo representing A.T. hikes
A.T. hikes

You May Also Like

Colorado's Million Dollar Highway - Plan a day's drive adventure along the iconic Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Explore the best short trails, roadside stops, waterfalls, vistas, ghost towns, and hot springs within a ~6 hour road trip.
Explore

Colorado's Million Dollar Highway

Plan a day's drive adventure along the iconic Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Explore the best short trails, roadside stops, waterfalls, vistas, ghost towns, and hot springs within a ~6 hour road trip.

Read
Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road - Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. From stunning roadside stops to picturesque waterfalls and vistas, this engineering marvel offers endless opportunities for exploration.
Explore

Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. From stunning roadside stops to picturesque waterfalls and vistas, this engineering marvel offers endless opportunities for exploration.

Read
🍪 We use cookies to learn about site usage and to serve map tiles. You may block cookies manually in the browser. By continuing you agree. Learn more