New online hiking guide launched

The Montana Wilderness Association has created an online statewide hiking guide, hikewildmontana.org.

Hikewildmontana.org allows users to hike trails recommended by local residents, locate trails on an electronic map, choose a path based on distance and elevation gain, review trail conditions added by recent hikers and add their own trip reports, discover natural wonders and contribute their own trail descriptions.

 The website, which has had over 70 MWA volunteers contribute to its development, already features more than 200 trail descriptions.

“Exploring our state’s natural wonders and accessing public lands is part of who we are as Montanans,” says Gov. Steve Bullock. “I am pleased that our state’s Office of Tourism was able to help Montana Wilderness Association create a 21st century tool for a tradition that is important to Montanans and essential to our quality of life.”

Hikewildmontana.org offers information about businesses near trailheads that offer outdoor supplies.

The website is the brainchild of MWA community engagement manager Kassia Randzio. Volunteers across the state who hike, will photograph and map the trails  on the site.

MWA will celebrate the launch of the website April 8, from 4-6 p.m. at MWA’s main office in Helena at 80 South Warren St.