Painted Hills Trail (and Connector Trail)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Fun rolling hills, close to town, lots of wildflowers!

Two of the best areas to park and begin are the Highland and Ellis intersection by the softball fields or the small lot on the south side of Kagy. Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT), with help from the community, put in YEARS of effort to get this trail built. Practice Leave No Trace principles - don't leave trash and pick up after your dogs!

This trail could be considered green but it does have a few quick, steep climbs and switchbacks. It's possible to start from Kagy Boulevard or from near Triple Tree Road. An out-and-back is possible of any distance, and doing the full out-and-back of this route would be 8.4 miles. Hiking, running, and biking are all possible on this route. This trail could be connected with the Highland Glen trails to the north, and/or the Triple Tree trail to the south to extend the distance.

The trail itself is mostly easy and smooth in most places. Some of the trails are singletrack, while many parts are wider and allow two people to walk side by side. While the trail goes through a somewhat residential area, and often times houses are within sight, the wide-open views of rolling hills create a feeling of being far away from the daily grind. Wildflowers are abundant during the early summer months which is probably how this trail got its name. Deer are often feeding in the vast fields of grass. While walking northward you'll be rewarded with views of the Bridger mountains.

Plenty of wildflowers in the early summer. Excellent place to watch for birds and deer are often seen as well.