|
 Priest
Lake
is awesome – You can get
permission to leave your car at Elkin's Resort. Go North toward Beaver Creek.
Shoreline trail head is 8 miles of beautiful single track one way. When in
doubt, go right (opposite coming south). It's faster to come back on single
track than road. Bring your camera - views are awesome, and plan to take a dip
at one of the secluded beaches along the way. This is also a fantastic area for
snowmobiling during winter months.
Schweitzer
Mountain –
Schweitzer Mountain was home to the NORBA National Championship in 2005. A
phenomenal ski resort during winter, you can hop the ski lift during summer and
never hit all the trails in a week.
 Lookout
Pass
in Wallace – Take I-90 from Coeur d'Alene to Exit at the ski area, ride the
railroad grade into Montana, follow to Avery. Approx 26 miles and max 2% grade.
Excellent family ride (bring water!). Lookout Ski Area has maps and info on
miles of great rides in the area.
Silver Mountain –
Ride the gondola up the mountain for miles of trails. Rough - not recommended
for light duty bikes or hybrids. Check
Silver Mountain
for evening events all summer to end your day.
Sandpoint has had the Long Bridge as a bike path for many years; the 2-mile long
level bike ride begins on one end at the Old Power House. Now the path includes
four miles on the south end in Sagle flowing gentle hills following Highway 95.
On the other side a second bicycle path begins at Larch and Fifth in Sandpoint,
going two miles west to Dover. Like many bike and walking paths it was built on
old railroad tracks. There is another ½ mile that extends from Larch to Boyer
then west E. Mountain View Drive and then down to Sand Creek, where riders can
cross the Popsicle Bridge over Sand Creek. This network of bike paths was
developed by
North Idaho Bikeways,
a group that formed in 1994.
Click to see a map of the
trails.
Besides the ones mentioned above, there are many, many roads and trails for
bikers and hikers in and around Sandpoint, Bonner County, and North Idaho. We
are surrounded by state and national forestlands in the Selkirk, Cabinet and
Bitterroot mountain ranges, and there is a secret trail not far from my house
that I only divulge the location to my closest friends. Since I want to keep
those two secret, here are a few good ones, but if you look just a bit you can
find dozens more.
The
Farragut State Park trail map shows 32 miles of marked singletrack.
However, if you ride all the trails (marked and unmarked) your bike computer
will indicate 54 miles if you try not to ride the same trail. Some of the single
track runs along the shore of Lake Pend Oreille. Be sure and pick up a trail map
at the park entrance to ensure you ride all the singletracks.
Farragut
State Park: North Perimeter
– Four miles east of US Hwy
95 between Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint, Idaho. This ride is an intro to an area
of the park most folks never see; if you go off on to any of the splits, you'll
find surprises and connections to all sorts of things. Farragut is also an old
(World War II-era) naval base, and to this day, nearby Bayview harbors a naval
research facility; there are ample opportunities for exploring and learning
about the history of this unique area. There's swimming and overnight camping,
too. The trail has 3.2 miles pavement, 4.3 miles forest road/doubletrack, and 3
miles singletrack.
Farragut
State Park: Northside Loop
– Four miles east of US Hwy
95 between Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint, Idaho. This ride is an intro to an area
of the park most folks never see; if you go off on to any of the splits, you'll
find surprises and connections to all sorts of things. Farragut is also an old
(World War II-era) naval base, and to this day, nearby Bayview harbors a naval
research facility; there are ample opportunities for exploring and learning
about the history of this unique area. There's swimming and overnight camping,
too. The trail has 3.2 miles pavement, 4.3 miles forest road/doubletrack, and 3
miles singletrack.
Green Bay: Mineral Point Loop – Cool, challenging singletrack follows the
shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille for much of the ride. Located 12 miles southeast
of Sandpoint. Tread: 2.7 miles of gravel road, 4.3 miles of singletrack.
Basically an easy ride where you can start and finish at Garfield Bay along Lake
Pend Oreille, with a swimming beach, marina and dining opportunities at the
Captain’s Table, or a stop during the ride at the fine, undeveloped Green Bay
cobblestone beach.
Gold Hill Trail –
One of Sandpoint’s most popular trails, Gold Hill lies just east of Contest
Point on Bottle Bay Road, south of Sandpoint. All of the items that are hazards
(switchbacks, berry vines, punji stumps) also make this one of the finest, most
pure mountain bike trails. The difficulty is sustained and technical, but not
impossible. It's a real climb, but never a grunt, and it's predominately
singletrack, almost completely in the forest. This is a ride to work at and to
perfect, for most. It can also be connected to larger loops coming down Forest
Road 2642 through Garfield or Green Bay. The trail has 8.4 miles singletrack and
3.4 miles forest road.
Schweitzer
Mountain
trails – As
mentioned above, this was home to sanctioned regional and national mountain bike
races, including the NORBA National race series, Schweitzer’s great trail system
has something for every level of rider. There are brutal climbs and technical
rock descents, like the exhilarating Butt Slide Rock and Moffit's Edge.
Intermediate rides for mortals exist too, mixing woods, ridges and crumbling
granite on swooping, leisurely rides. And on almost all rides, you’ll get those
big, in-your-face views of Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding mountain ranges.
Below are just a few ride options; check the trail map to see more. You’ll also
be able to get more local knowledge and a hard-copy map once you arrive at the
mountain village, which is 11 miles from Sandpoint.
Here are the rest of the trails:
Bike Trips and Trails in North Idaho
North Idaho Biking is where you'll find biking trails, bicycle stuff, fat-tire
mountain biking, cycling,
biking tours, bike
rentals, the Route of the
Hiawatha, the Centennial Trail, the Rails to Trails, and biking thru dark
tunnels, high trestles and along and over beautiful rivers for miles and miles!
Have fun and be safe. Take your bike or
rent a bike.
Route of the Hiawatha
at Lookout Pass
744-1301 -
This portion of the Olympian Hiawatha bike route has been called one of the most
breathtaking scenic stretches of railroad in the country. Biking through 10
tunnels and 7 high trestles, this 15-mile route crosses the rugged Bitterroot
Mountains between North Idaho and Montana. The Route of the Hiawatha is best
known for the long, dark St. Paul Pass, or "Taft" Tunnel, which burrows for 1.66
miles under the
North Idaho Montana state line. One of the greatest places to go biking in the
whole world
Silver Mountain
783-1111
800-204-6428
Centennial Trail
-
The Centennial Trail runs from the Washington State line to Higgins Point on
Lake Coeur d'Alene. This beautiful
trail is primarily of Class I
separated and paved trail with some segments of Class II trail. The trail has
numerous rest areas, scenic views and historical interpretative signs to add to
the satisfaction of one of the most scenic biking trail systems in North Idaho
country.
Biking Tours and Mountain Biking
LOOKOUT PASS SKI & RECREATION
I-90, Exit
0, Mullan, North Idaho
744-1301 (888) 512-0764
THE ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA BIKE TRAIL
–
The Route of the Hiawatha trail is
the pearl of all rail-to-trail projects in the country. Over 15
miles of railroad
track has been
converted into a beautiful biking and walking trail with a downhill grade. There
are ten tunnels and seven trestle bridges up to 230 feet high. The 1.7 mile long
St. Paul Pass tunnel is a best part of the trail. Start your ride at
Lookout Pass Ski Area where mountain bike rentals, including helmets and lights,
and an optional return shuttle service are available. Fees go toward maintaining
the trail, constructed as part of the "Rails to Trails" program, which
converts unused railways to trails.
Nearest City:
Wallace, North Idaho
Location:
North Idaho, 12 miles East of Wallace- I-90 Exit 0
Directions:
Lookout Pass Ski Area, I-90 at the Idaho/Montana state line
Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes
–
72 miles from Mullan to Plummer
through the historic Silver Valley, into the Chain Lake Region, along the shore
of Lake Coeur d'Alene, through Heyburn State Park, and the Coeur d'Alene Indian
Reservation. It starts at I-90 exit 68, Mullan business district see
MAP
There are twenty trailheads between Mullan and Plummer for access to the 72-mile
trail.
Check out this article
about it.
POST FALLS PARKS & RECREATION
408 Spokane Street, Post Falls
773-0539
Q'EMILN RIVERSIDE PARK AND
BIKE TRAILS –
The Q'emiln (pronounced Ka-mee-lin)
Park is a 78.5 acre city park located on the south bank of the Spokane River
with a
sandy beach, boat launch, and group picnic facilities. Forty acres of hiking
trails established by the Bureau of Land Management and Washington Water Power
Co. wind through four miles of the Spokane River gorge near the town of
Post Falls. This is an excellent place to view wildlife and have a picnic.
Nearest City:
Post Falls, North Idaho
Location:
North Idaho, W. of Coeur d'Alene
Directions:
12201 W. Parkway Dr., at S. end of Spokane St. bridge
COEUR D'ALENE RANGER DISTRICT
Fernan Office 769-3000
2502 Sherman Ave Coeur d'Alene
BERNARD PEAK LOOP MOUNTAIN
BIKE ROUTE –
This mountain bike trail near Coeur
d'Alene is an 18.5 mile loop on gravel road, single and double track, with views
of the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille.
Nearest City:
Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho
Location:
North Idaho, N. of Coeur d'Alene
Directions:
From I-90 in Coeur d’Alene Idaho, head north on Highway 95 to Athol Idaho. At
the light in Athol Idaho go east or right on Highway 54 for 4 miles and you will
come to the navigation circle. Head south here on Goodhope Road for about a mile
to Twete Road. At Twete Road take a left and drive past the gravel pit to the
end of the road and the trailhead.
NOTE: If you want to just downhill it and drive to the top you can by
continuing south on Goodhope Road for 1 more mile (2 miles total) to Bunco Road.
Take a left on Bunco Road and travel 2 more miles to the entrance into the
National Forest and the end of the pavement. There’s a big parking lot here for
snowmobiles in the winter, just head past it and up the hill on FSR #332. At
the top of the hill (~4.2 miles) you will come to a side road FSR #2707. Take a
left and follow it up the hill making sure to stay to the left at the forks up
ahead (~.25 miles). It’s about 2 miles to the top, but make sure you stay to the
left on the way up. The road is rough and the vegetation is thick, so don’t go
up the last section if you like the paint job on your car.
MT. COEUR D’ALENE MOUNTAIN
BIKE LOOP –
This mountain bike trail near Coeur
d'Alene is an 8.1 mile loop on a gravel road with outstanding views of the lake
and the
Coeur d'Alene area. Contact the Forest Service for a brochure on mountain bike
trails in the Idaho panhandle.
Nearest City:
Coeur d'Alene,
North Idaho
Location:
North Idaho, E. of Spokane
Directions:
From Coeur
d'Alene, Idaho, drive east on Interstate 90 to Exit 22 (Wolf Lodge Bay). Drive
south on Idaho Highway 97 for 2-1/2 miles to Beauty Creek Road No. 438. You'll
pass the trailhead for Mineral Ridge; go a bit further. Take a left (east) on
Road 438 for 3/4 mile to the Beauty Creek Campground and trailhead.
Canfield Mountain BIKE Trail 1562
–
The Canfield Mountain Trail System
has more than 32 trail miles in the system. It was designed for motorized trail
bikes and mountain bikes, however it is open for all uses (i.e. hiking, etc…)
except for ATV's. The trail system was designed, so that the entire network can
be accessed from an old logging road FS Road #1562. The trails are a mix of
logging roads and single-track and range from 0% to 35% grades. The trails are
marked with numbers and there are maps at trail junctions, indicating where you
are in the system.
Nearest City:
Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho
Location:
North Idaho, E. of Spokane
Directions:
From the Nettleton Gulch Parking Lot to the highest point in the trial system
(West Canfield Butte, 4162ft.), you can travel approximately 4 miles and 2000ft.
in elevation gain. Trails can be smooth, well-groomed logging roads or steep
single track with ruts, loose rocks, roots, drop-offs and other obstacles.
Single-track trails receive annual maintenance in the Spring, but because of the
motorcycle use, they're usually pretty rough (which makes for some fun
downhill). Also, for you pet owners, dogs are allowed on the trail system.
SOUTH FORK COEUR D’ALENE
RIVER BIKE TRAILS
–
About twenty trails in the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River area between
Kellogg and the Montana border are described in a brochure from the Forest
Service. Trails range from easy to difficult and take hikers to alpine lakes or
through former railroad tunnels. Contact the forest service to get a copy of the
brochure and inquire about current trail conditions.
Nearest City:
Cataldo
Location:
North Idaho, E. of Coeur d'Alene
Directions:
Obtain map from CDA River Ranger District.
PALOUSE RANGER DISTRICT
1700 Hwy. 6
Potlatch, Idaho
BEASON MEADOWS BIKE TRAIL
#228 –
This mountain bike trail near Potlatch passes through a variety of vegetation as
it climbs from the stream bottom, crosses draws, a drier ridge top and then
descends back to the stream environment. The first mile is located is part of a
national recreation trail system near the Giant White Pine Campground. The trail
ends at Bald Mountain Lookout. The junction is located adjacent to East Fork
Meadow Creek. Trailhead facilities include five parking spaces and an
interpretive sign explaining the trail system.
Nearest City: Potlatch
Location: North Idaho
Directions: The trailhead is located in Giant White Pine Campground. The
trail ends at Trail #228's junction with Trail 224-B. Giant White Pine
Campground is located on the White Pine Drive Scenic Route and has a small
campground and
trail access. North on Highway 95 to the Potlatch "Y". Turn right on State Route
6 through Potlatch, Princeton, and Harvard. A couple of miles past Harvard pass
the sign for Laird Park and continue on Route 6 to White Pine Drive.
CHELSEY CREEK MOUNTAIN BIKE
TRAIL #19 –
From its start the Chesley Creek
Trail follows the main watershed divide between Big Creek, Meadow Creek, and
Prospect Creek. The trail head is located adjacent to Chesley Creek Road #1960.
The trail terminus is at the intersection of the trail and Big Creek Road
#370.
Nearest City:
Potlatch
Location:
North Central Idaho, at Laird Park Recreation Area
Directions: Access #1: Chesley Creek Road #1960. The legal
description would be NW Sec. 5, T42N, R3W. Access #2: Adjacent to the
Big Creek Road
#370 near Prospect Peak.
CLEVELAND GULCH MOUNTAIN BIKE
TRAIL #333 –
This 2.5 mile trail begins along the
North Fork of the Palouse River Road and intersects with Strychnine Ridge Trail
near Little Bald Mountain. The trail is steep and crosses Cleveland Gulch
several times along its lower segment. Several panoramic views of the Upper
Palouse drainage will open to your view as you hike along this trail. The
trailhead is located at the mouth of Cleveland Gulch. Trail Terminus is at the
junction of trail #333 and Strychnine Ridge Trail #319
Nearest City:
Potlatch
Location:
North Central Idaho, at Laird Park Recreation Area
Directions:
Access #1: Mouth of Cleveland Gulch on the Old North Fork Palouse River Road.
Access #2: Trail's junction with Strychnine Ridge Trail #319.
MIZPAH CREEK MOUNTAIN BIKE
TRAIL #345 –
Mizpah Creek Trail is one of the
steepest trails on the Palouse and opens up to a panoramic view at several
points along the route after the hiker has gained elevation. Huckleberry picking
is a favorite pastime near the Slate Creek terminus. Deer, elk, and bear
frequent this area in summer. The trail begins at the end of Mizpah Mine Road
#345 along Mizpah Creek. The trail ends at its intersection with Baby Grand Road
#1433.
Nearest City:
Potlatch
Location:
North Central Idaho, at Laird Park Recreation Area
Directions: Access #1: End of the Old Mizpah Mine Road, an old
access route from the Palouse River Road #447 to an old mine site. Access #2:
Baby Grand Road #1433
SANDPOINT RANGER DISTRICT
1500 Hwy. 2 Sandpoint
263-5111
STRONG CREEK MOUNTAIN BIKE
TRAIL –
Awesome views are in store from this
trail in the Idaho panhandle. For mountain bikers, this ridge top single track
trail is one of the premier rides in the area. Contact the Forest Service for a
brochure on mountain bike trails in the Idaho panhandle.
Nearest City:
Sandpoint
Location:
North Idaho, near Sandpoint
Directions: From Sandpoint take Idaho Hwy. 200 east to Hope.
SANDPOINT DUFORT ROAD LOOP
BIKE PATH AND TRAIL
–
This scenic bike path takes you
along the Pend Oreille River. The roads on this route are well traveled and
heavy mixed traffic will be encountered. A small stretch of Lakeshore Drive has
a gravel surface. The sloughs along the river provide excellent opportunities to
view water fowl. Contact the Forest Service for a brochure on mountain bike
trails in the Idaho panhandle.
Nearest City:
Sandpoint
Location: North Idaho, S. of
Sandpoint
Directions: Take the bike path across the long bridge and turn
left (across Hwy. 95) onto Lakeshore Drive, past Springy Point campground and
residential areas into open farmland along the Pend Oreille River and the Morton
Slough Game Preserve Turn left onto Dufort R
GREEN BAY-MINERAL POINT
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
–
This mountain bike and hiking trail
is a 7-mile loop of trail and road riding that follows the shoreline of
beautiful Lake Pend Oreille.
Nearest City:
Sandpoint
Location:
North Idaho, 12 miles SE of Sandpoint
Directions:
Park at Garfield Bay and ride up Green Bay
cutoff Road. Take a right on Green Bay Service road (next to the red
firehouse) and ride to the Lost Lake Loop trail, do that and then pop back out
to the Mineral Point trail head. Ride the single track to the Green Bay parking
lot and then up the steep access road and back to Garfield Bay.
JERU CREEK ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE
ROAD – If
combined with Pack River Road, this mountain bike trail near Sandpoint is a 16.8
mile ride north of Sandpoint for
intermediate and advanced levels.
Once on the ridge, there are great views of the Selkirk Crest and the Pack River
valley. Contact the Forest Service for a brochure on mountain bike trails in the
Idaho panhandle.
Nearest City:
Sandpoint
Location: North Idaho, North of Sandpoint
Directions: From Sandpoint take Hwy. 95 north 13 miles to Pack
river Road 231. Turn left and go 8 miles to Jeru Creek Road 293.
JOHNSON CABIN-GRANITE CREEK
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
–
This mountain bike trail near Lake
Pend Oreille is a 16 mile round trip ride on the east side of Lake Pend Oreille
for both intermediate and advanced levels. Contact the Forest Service for
a brochure on mountain bike trails in the Idaho panhandle.
Nearest City:
Sandpoint
Location:
North Idaho, East of Sandpoint
Directions: From Clark Fork take Johnson Creek Road 278 and
follow 16 miles to the trailhead for Johnson Cabin Trail # 606
SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN
RESORT
– Explore
alpine meadows or the rugged mountain terrain by mountain bike on trails at
Schweitzer Mountain. A vast trail system offers something for every
ability level. Colorful hillsides explode with wildflowers and nearby Lake Pend
Oreille becomes a valley of sparkling, sunlit glass. The high speed quad
chairlift runs daily and lift tickets are available at the Plaza Cafe. Bike
rentals are available at the Alpine Shop located in the Schweitzer Village.
10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd.
Sandpoint
263-9555 (800)
831-8810
Nearest City:
Sandpoint
Location:
North Idaho, N. of Coeur d'Alene
Directions:
From Sandpoint take Hwy. 95 north approx. 2 miles to the Schweitzer Road and
turn left. Take this road to Boyer Avenue. Turn
right onto Boyer and follow the signs to Schweitzer - 9 miles
SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT
610 Bunker Ave Kellogg
783-1111
SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS
–
The gondola takes you to the top,
where can ride 30+ miles of everything from rolling single track over varying
terrain. While there are trails suited for a variety of levels, intermediate to
advanced level skills are recommended. All trails lead back the Gondola Village
-- where you can jump on for another lap.
Nearest City:
Kellogg
Location:
North Idaho, E. of Coeur d'Alene
Directions: From Kellogg, take the Silver Mountain gondola
SILVER MOUNTAIN-BIG CREEK
BANZAI BIKING TRAIL
–
This mountain bike trail near Silver
Mountain Ski Resort is 14.8 miles, one way, on a variety of track types from
paved road to gravel road to single and double track. Trail is shared with
horseback riders and hikers.
Nearest City:
Kellogg
Location:
North Idaho, E. of Coeur d'Alene
Directions:
From Kellogg, take the Silver Mountain gondola
FARRAGUT STATE PARK
13550 E. Hwy. 54 Athol
683-2425
FARRAGUT STATE PARK MOUNTAIN
BIKE TRAILS –
There are two mountain bike trails
in Farragut State Park. The Shoreline Trail, along the shore of Lake Pend
Oreille is 3.5 miles, one way, on wide-track single track and a paved pathway.
The Northside Loop is 4.7 miles of single trackpassing through grasslands and
timber.
Nearest City:
Athol
Location:
North Idaho, 20 miles North of Coeur d'Alene
PRIEST LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
32203 Hwy 57 Priest River
443-2512
PRIEST LAKE LAKESHORE TRAIL
#294 –
This is a popular and well used trail in this
area. It is an easy hike and parallels Priest Lake and is crossed by 5 streams.
Many views of
the lake are offered. This trail passes through dog
hair stands of timber and also through hillsides of brush. There are numerous
campsites along the trail offering beaches, isolation and wind protection.
Nearest City:
Priest Lake
Location:
North Idaho, North of Priest River, Idaho
Directions:
Go to Nordman. East on Forest Rd. 1339.
North to end of pavement, right to Beaver Creek boat launch.
Trail has
two
main access points: # 1, Road 2512 above Granite
Creek, # 2, Tule Bay at the Beaver Creek boat launch. Trail also has spurs to Rd
UPPER PRIEST LAKE NAVIGATION
TRAIL –
This excellent mountain bike trail
near Priest Lake is up to 9.4 miles, one way, on single track in the old growth
forest next to Upper Priest Lake. Riders share the trail with hikers and
joggers. A few dispersed campsites exist along the trail with
developed campgrounds located at the north end of Upper Priest Lake (Navigation
campground) and the south end of the lake (Plowboy Campground). Contact the
Forest Service for a brochure on mountain bike trails in the Idaho panhandle.
Nearest City:
Priest Lake
Location:
North Idaho, 10 mi. N. of Nordman
MAP
Directions: N. on Hwy. 57 to Nordman, east on Forest Road 1339.
North to Beaver Creek campground (12 miles). Trail has two main
trailheads - one off Road 1341 at Beaver Creek Campground, the other is located
on Road 1013 a mile past Hughes Meadows turnoff.
Trail can be reached via Plowboy Trail 295
|
