By editor
Central & Eastern Montana
Coordinates: Statewide (Roosville to Lima)
The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is the most famous off-pavement cycling route in the world, and its passage through Montana is arguably its most spectacular section. The route enters the state at the Canadian border near Roosville and exits into Idaho near Lima, traversing the entire length of the Montana Rockies.
Riding the GDMBR is an exercise in endurance and logistics. The route utilizes dirt roads, jeep tracks, and sections of singletrack, crossing the Continental Divide multiple times. Riders must carry all their own gear, food, and water, navigating remote valleys and high mountain passes. It is a monumental undertaking that requires weeks of preparation and profound physical resilience.
Must-Ride Section: The segment from Homestake to Pipestone Pass near Butte offers 20 miles of exceptional, high-altitude singletrack right along the Continental Divide.
Visitor Access
- Total Mileage: ~700 miles within Montana (2,696 miles total)
- Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced (Endurance)
- Season: July through September
Confirm current trail conditions, seasonal closures, and land-manager rules before you ride. Carry bear spray on remote and alpine routes.