Follow This Abandoned Railroad Trail For One Of The Most Unique Hikes In Montana

Hiking in Montana is an incredible experience. From our rugged mountain trails to our lakeside gems, you'll find all kinds of various hikes in the Treasure State. And given our prominent railroad history, it should come as no surprise that some of our trails pass right through abandoned tunnels and trestles. The Milwaukee Railroad Trail is no exception, and this historic hike is truly unique and is one of the best hikes in Montana.

The Milwaukee Railroad Trail is located a few miles south of Butte.

The four-mile trail stretches through Thompson Park in Silver Bow, taking you over a 600-foot trestle that rises about 130 feet off the ground.

While this entire hike is stunning, the trestle is definitely one of the major highlights.

It isn't every day you'll get to cross something like this.

This section of railroad was one of the first in the country to be electrified.

In fact, Thomas Edison once visited to take a ride on the Milwaukee Railroad.

While the trail is primarily used for hiking, it can also be used for biking and horseback riding.

It's also groomed for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

In addition to the massive trestle, the trail also has two tunnels.

One of the tunnels is 550 feet long, while the other is 1,100 feet long.

This hike is like a walking history tour for anyone interested in getting an up-close-and-personal look at how the old railway system worked.

We're lucky to have such a unique trail here in Montana.

As you enjoy this trail, make sure to read about its history along the way.

There are so many things that happened in Montana that never made it into our textbooks.

Have you ever hiked this unique trail?