CDT: Pipestone to Highlands

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

This section of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a wonderful piece of remote singletrack that is known to the locals as "8 Miles of Hell", and is an infamous section of the Butte 100 and Butte 50 Mountain Bike Races every year. In reality it's more like 12 miles, and whether it is hell or maybe heaven is up for debate!

The trail has somewhat of a difficulty gradient, with it being more rocky and technical in the south (Highlands end) and faster and more flowy in the north (Pipestone end). It is more common to ride this trail as an out-and-back from Pipestone to the top of Limekiln Hill, and this section will give you the best views and opportunity for some getting some good elevation in. There is also a section of where the trail is impressively white from the quartz rock.

South of Limekiln Hill there are 2 more "summits" and no real places to cruise or relax. The trail has a more remote feel and you are more likely to come across downed trees that have not been cleared yet. There are rocky technical sections that may challenge intermediate riders, more so while ascending, and there are some tight switchbacks in places.

There is plenty of trailhead parking at either end, and the Highlands trailhead has a toilet.