An Unforgettable Rail-To-Trail [2026 Update]

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Ring that bell, switch on your headlamp, and start pedaling – it’s time to bike ride the Hiawatha Trail, one of the most famous rail-to-trail bike paths in the USA, which takes you through the stunning mountains of Northern Idaho. Our family is always saying yes to outdoor activities that help us unplug to reconnect and create lifelong stories to tell like…

“Remember that time when we cycled through the almost two-mile, pitch-black tunnel and Savannah came out the other side covered in mud?”

And that was right at the beginning, before we even hit the sky-high trestle bridges with stunning views of the rugged Bitterroot Mountains. The Route of the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho, as far as adventures go, was cruisy – focused more on fun than exhausting physical exertion.

What is the Route of the Hiawatha?

The Route of the Hiawatha is a 15-mile cycle route following a rail-trail. This means it follows a former railroad, which has swapped tracks for tarmac, offering a smooth and family-friendly ride. Now don’t freak out at the 15-mile part. This bike ride is all downhill. It runs through the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains at a gradual 1.6% average downhill grade and drops 1,000 ft over the 15 miles. Too easy!

The Milwaukee Railway Company constructed this stretch of railroad between 1906 and 1909 to expand its West Coast offerings. It cost $234 million dollars and took 9,000 men from nationalities all over the world to build it. At its time, it was a true engineering marvel. After decades of financial struggles, the last train ran through in 1980, and one of the most scenic stretches of railroad through this rugged mountainous terrain was abandoned.

Soon after, it opened to bike riders and hikers. The train track is no longer there, but the route you’ll follow on your bike is just as it was in the 1900s when trains chugged through. It was inducted into the “Hall of Fame” by the Rail-to-Trail Conservatory and is one of only 15 trails in the country to receive this designation. You can see the route in advance in the following trail map:

Where is the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho?

You can book your entry passes and other necessities from Lookout Pass Ski Area. They will also organize return shuttle services and mountain bike rentals, including helmets and lights. Lookout Pass Ski Area is located right alongside Interstate 90. Take Exit 0 at the Idaho-Montana state line. It is 12 miles from Wallace in Idaho, 33 miles from St. Regis in Montana, and 56 miles from Coeur d’Alene in Idaho.

The start of the Hiawatha Trail is a short 7-mile drive from Lookout Pass Ski Area. Drive down I-90 East to Exit 5 in MT and then follow the Hiawatha signs on a dirt/gravel road two miles to the East Portal Parking Area/Taft Parking Lot. There is no shuttle service to the Hiawatha from the Ski Area. You will need to drive there!

Getting Started On The Route Of The Hiawatha

The Route of the Hiawatha is located on the Montana-Idaho border. You’ll begin your ride along the former railroad route at the East Portal Trailhead/Taft Parking Lot on the Montana side. If you’re hiring bikes, you’ll pick them up at the start of the trail. They will be transported by the hire company in Lookout Pass Ski Area, and the staff will go through your safety checks.

You should absolutely reserve your bike rental online beforehand, as they are often fully booked in the summer. You can rent e-Bikes if you’re not sure you’ll be able to pedal the whole way, or mountain bikes, and you can also rent tag-a-longs if you have young children. You can also rent helmets and head torches.

Be sure to check your flashlight properly. I didn’t and ended up cycling through those train tunnels tailing Kalyra to use her light. It was waaay darker than I thought it would be and quite scary using only her light.

The Route Of The Hiawatha Experience

The ride begins at St Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel, the only tunnel everyone remembers by name, as it is almost 1.7 miles long, cold, and pitch black. Quite the exciting way to start (and finish) this adventure.  

This is where Savannah came out caked in mud. She was on a tag-along bike behind Craig, who cycled quickly through the tunnel, not realizing she was catching all the mud splash. Kalyra did not want to get her new Vans muddy, so she and I cycled reaaaallly (painfully) slowly through it. I was grateful at the end as our clothes did not need extra soaking in the tub.

The trail goes through another 9 tunnels, none as long as the first. Although most are still quite dark to cycle through, so remember to flip the light switch. The journey the entire way is picturesque and ambling. You cycle across 7 trestle bridges spanning 230 feet above the steepest parts of the valley floor. These are fun to stop at for your photos and views down into the valley.

There are several places along the trail where you can stop to take photos overlooking the trestle bridges further ahead as the trail winds down to the valley floor.

Savannah had the most fun of all! There were no complaints of “Are we there yet?” from her. As she was 8 at the time, we put her on a tag-along with Craig, thinking the 15 miles might be too much for her to cycle on her own. She cruised and sang almost the entire way. I do think she could have done it on her own bike, but sometimes it’s best to go for the “just in case” option.

Keep an eye out for wildlife as you ride along the Route of Hiawatha. There is a good chance you may see deer. We rounded a corner and saw one quietly munching on the leaves by the side of the road. You’ll be sad once it finishes. It’s probably the only 15-mile bike ride you’ll do where you barely break a sweat and don’t get a sore bum!

Wait a minute. How do you get back?

You have two choices to get back. It depends on how you feel, how much time you have, and who you are with. Those with endless time, energy, and fewer little people may want to cycle the 15 miles back uphill. You may be shuddering at that thought, as I was, but I was surprised at how many people I saw turn around and start riding back. It inspired me to perhaps give it a go on our next ride – perhaps on an electric bike? Save your energy, as you will have to cycle back through the 1.7-mile Taft Tunnel at the end, though.

Thankfully, for the weary, there are shuttle buses waiting for you at the end, at the Pearson Trailhead, which takes you back to the first tunnel. Be warned, there can be quite the line for the shuttle. We waited an hour once we finished our ride. All worth it though! Make sure you purchase your shuttle tickets in advance, as you can save a couple of dollars on the price. Click here for more info.

Tips For Doing The Route Of The Hiawatha

A good level of fitness would always be preferable, but as it’s downhill, so you won’t have to worry too much about it being difficult. There are a few things you want to ensure you’ve packed for your Route of the Hiawatha adventure to make it easier for you.

• Jacket: Temperatures in the first tunnel average 47 degrees year-round. If it were a much shorter tunnel, you could probably zip through it without zipping up, but as it will take about 15 minutes, you’ll be grateful for the extra warmth.
• Flashlight: A flashlight is an absolute MUST. When they say the first tunnel is dark, they mean it.
• Pack plenty of snacks and water
• All trail users must purchase a ticket and display that ticket on their bicycle while on the trail. You can pre-purchase online.
• Be sure to remove sunglasses and turn on lights before entering the tunnels.
• Move to the side if stopping to gawk at the views.
• Go early to avoid extra-long lines at the end of the day. You also don’t want to miss the last shuttle!
• Plan for at least half a day so you can amble and enjoy those views.
• You can take your own bikes or hire them from the Lookout Pass ski area. Check current prices there.
• Heavier bikes incl Fat-tire, E-Bikes, are charged extra fees.
• The trail is open from approximately Mid-May through Mid-September. The trail, trailheads, and facilities are open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM PDT.

Video: Route of the Hiawatha

Where to stay for The Route Of The Hiawatha Trail

There are numerous campsites (primitive and paid) in the historic Wallace area and closer to the trailhead. Wallace offers the easiest access as it’s only a 12-mile distance from the trailhead. You will find sites for self-contained RVs at the Lookout Pass Ski. You’ll find several lodging options in Wallace. We stayed at the cozy Wallace Inn.

Points Of Interest Nearby

I would say that cycling the Hiawatha Trail takes about half a day, so if you’re looking for other things to do nearby, here are some of our top suggestions.

Wallace

The nearby historic town of Wallace, Idaho, is the ideal base camp for you to explore the beauty and wonder of the Silver Valley and surrounding Bitterroot Mountains. For the past 100 years, Wallace has been the world’s largest silver producer and the richest mining town still in existence. It’s a quaint town with historic buildings, interesting museums, and great breweries and restaurants.

Wallace is also surrounded by towering mountains and thick forest, offering world-class recreation trails for mountain bikes, ATVs, and snowmobiles.

Fun Fact – Wallace is one of only four cities in the United States that are entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene was one of our favorite places to visit in Idaho. It’s a beautiful lakeside town in the Northern Panhandle region. It has a vibrant, young college town feel with plenty of restaurants and bars with live music spilling out onto the pavement. We loved the access to the lake for swimming, paddle boarding, and sunset cruises.

More Idaho Travel Tips

Comment: Have you experienced a rail trail like this before? Are you planning on biking the route to Hiawatha? Leave any questions you may have in the comments!