This National Recreation Trail traverses nearly the entire length of the Bridger Mountain Range and offers hikers long views of the Gallatin Valley, The Tobacco Root Mountains, the Madison Range, the Gallatin Range, and the towns of Bozeman and Belgrade.

The Foothills Trail is not for the faint of heart nor for a hiker fearing massive elevation gain and loss. The trail follows the myriad of coulees that make up the west side of the Bridger Mountains and the trail goes up and down into each and every single one of them. The trail dips into a little draw only to immediately take you back up and out of it giving you a glimpse just a bit farther down valley.

The long traversing nature of the trail means that it crosses many other trails and most hikers will find its primary use is to simply connect two of these together. A popular mountain bike route is to connect the Sypes Canyon Trail with the College M Trail via the Foothills Trail. Other options are Corbly Gulch and Middle Cottonwood as well.