The M Trail
College M Trail
A short hiking trail beneath a giant white “M” on the foot of the Bridger Mountains. In half an hour you can climb high enough to look over the whole Gallatin Valley.
The large white “M” on the hillside was laid out with stones by students of Montana State University in 1915. It is the most popular hiking trail for people in Bozeman. The steep route climbs directly in about 20 to 30 minutes, and the gentler route winds around in about an hour. From the M you can look down over central Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. Continuing upward connects to the Bridger Ridge Trail. Entry is free. The trailhead is about 6 kilometers northeast of the city, at the Bridger Canyon junction. The parking lot is shared with the Drinking Horse Mountain trail, and parking is tight on weekend mornings. In summer the early mornings and evenings are cool, while midday is very hot, so bring water.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Main Street Historic District
- Gallatin History Museum
- Museum of the Rockies
- American Computer & Robotics Museum
- Bridger Bowl
- Montana Grizzly Encounter
- Sacagawea Peak
- Bozeman Hot Springs