Find the top rated running trails in Great Falls, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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10 ft wide Paved with mostly aging asphalt ( lots of horizontal cracks), Part rail trail ( rail grade), part greenway (slopes, underpasses, road crossings, through parks, bike lanes). Not scenic ( except Giant Springs was lovely, some nice art on west shore), runs past sewage treatment plant, refineries, active rail lines, rusty vehicles, storage facilities, historic and active dams. Interesting ride ( active rail lines, historic and active dams, bridges. Did manage to get an interesting 30 miles in biking all of the paved sections. Glad I didn’t ride my road bike, was fine on hybrid. Interesting ride if you are in the area.
I have been hiking this trail for over 30 years. It never gets old. There are trestles, a tunnel and a small "town" that has a jail. Expect a lot of bushwhacking along the trail. Frequent water crossings - the water is cold even in the hot months. Practice "leave no trace" for human waste - toilets only at the two THs. TH parking is limited. Pack it in/Pack it out - I have hauled out 3 large sized trash bags over the years - clothing, toys, shoes, tents, bottles, cans, etc. There is verified puma and black bear activity - you might even get to see them. When the train was operating, it was called the trout train - there were special times when the train would haul fishermen into the canyon, drop them off and then pick them up on the return trip. Pull noxious weeds when you can and remove from the park. No cell service either. This park is listed as a "primitive" park - let's keep it that way.
There was a small section of the trail that was good as far as a paved trail goes. When I go back I’ll check if I missed something. Then I’ll update this.
Lots of fun art along the trail(at least in the section we rode)
Nicely paved trail along the river. You can get to 3 of the 5 waterfalls along the paved portion, then it turns to a single track Mt bike trail. There are restrooms and picnic tables along the way. It runs up both sides of the river, with a few places to cross safely. The portion that runs through town is a bit tricky to navigate. Loved the entire ride.
The paved section, which is from downtown to a mile south of Giant Springs, is scenic and well maintained. Plenty of restrooms, but not much water. Giant Springs is unique, don't miss it. Good parking and modern restrooms at the Lewis & Clark Center at 4201 Giant Springs Road.
The gravel section, which is east (downstream) of Giant Springs, has a lot of hills and so you need a mountain bike.
Hard to imagine a nicer trail then what this one is. Beautiful every step of the way. Uncrowded. Very well maintained. Check it out
I've been on the trail many times. The description is pretty accurate. It's paved in town. When you leave the paved surface on the south shore, a hybrid bike probably wouldn't handle the trails. The up and down through the ravines will test your cardio. The north shore has a gravel road along the river. Cochrane Dam is open to link the north shore and south shore trails ONLY on certain weekends in the summer.
You can pick this trail up in town along the Riverside parkway. While going through town, you make a lot of jogs as the trail gets eaten up by development (including riding through the police station lot). Once you leave town you are back on the railroad grade as you travel along the river. Near the Lewis and Clark museum, you leave the river and head inland a bit, then the railroad grade runs into the existing mainline which crosses the river. This leaves you without a rail grade, and now you have to climb a hill to get back to the top of the canyon. The paved trail ends after a downhill run to a plateau with a nice viewing area.
I was able to ride the River's Edge over the Memorial Day weekend. It was cold and overcast, but I had a good ride.
This is a really well laid out trail. I took it as far as Horseshoe Falls, where the pavement ends. I recommend it to everyone!
"We biked this trail in July and, except for the 100 degree temperature we experienced that day, it was a great ride.
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