The Route of the Hiawatha Bike Trail is a family friendly activity that should not be missed while visiting beautiful Northern Idaho. This 15 mile gravel trail was formerly a railway that includes 10 train tunnels, 7 trestle bridges, and mountain scenery as far as the eye can see. The trail is a steady downhill grade, which makes it accessible for kids and adults alike. (It is also tag-a-long and bike trailer friendly.) Once you get to the end you can load your equipment into the shuttle bus which takes you back to the beginning of the trail.
Here is everything you need to know about one of my favorite bike trails in Idaho!
Route of the Hiawatha Trail Details:
The trail itself is gravel and is very even. There may be a few areas that have a little washboard if you go early in the summer, but they do a great job maintaining the trail. As mentioned above it is 15 gradual downhill miles from the parking lot to the shuttle bus, and contains 10 tunnels and 7 trestle bridges. Mountain bikes and bikes with hybrid tires are the best for this trail. Road bikes would be problematic due to the skinny tires. Tag-a-longs and child bike trailers can easily be used on the trail.
St. Paul Pass Tunnel:
The trail begins with the longest and coolest tunnel of the trail. The St. Paul Pass Tunnel is over 1.5 miles long and crosses from Montana to Idaho through the Bitterroot Mountains. NOTE: Lights are required to navigate this tunnel safely (more about this later).
Savvy Sojourner Tip: Don’t forget your sweatshirt! While it may be hot outside, the middle section of the tunnel is always cold. One year it was 95 degrees outside when we started the trail and you could still see your breath in the middle of the tunnel.
Along the Trail:
There are four restrooms located along the trail. They are located near the parking lot, at the end of the St. Paul Pass Tunnel, about halfway through the trail, and at the end by the shuttle bus stop. Make sure to bring lots of water as it is not always available on the trail. If it is hot outside you may find water coolers near the restrooms, but they may be empty by the time you get to them. Better to be safe than sorry!
Along the trail there are several informational markers that tell you all about the history of the railroad and surrounding area. While being informative, these markers are also a good opportunity to stop for a snack or water break!
For an extra challenge see if you can find:
- the grave marker from the 1910 fire
- the marker on the wall of the St. Paul Pass tunnel. This plaque marks the spot where the two blasting crews met each other when building the tunnel.
Shuttle Bus
The line for the Shuttle Bus is located at the end of the trail. Buses are loaded on a first come first serve basis. The buses have seating for passengers and also hooks in the back to transport your bikes. If you arrive later in the day, you will probably have a longer wait for the shuttle. We have done this trail several times and the longest we have had to wait for a shuttle bus was about 20 minutes. However, we like to start on the trail early and usually end up at the shuttle around noon. If you find yourself with a long wait for the shuttle, there are picnic tables available for you to have lunch while you are wait!
Savvy Sojourner Tip: If you are not a fan of waiting for the shuttle bus, you can always turn around and ride the 15 mile trail back to the parking lot. You might even consider renting E-Bikes for the trail, which will make the return ride much easier! Click here for more information about e-bikes on the Hiawatha Trail.
The shuttle bus takes you from the bottom of the trail and leaves you on the Idaho side of the St. Paul Pass Tunnel. You then ride your bike back through the tunnel to get to the parking lot. Riding through this long tunnel TWICE is always the highlight of the Hiawatha Trail for our family!
Tickets & Renting Equipment:
Tickets and equipment rentals can be reserved online by clicking here.
All of the equipment needed for your ride is available to rent, including bikes of all sizes, tag-a-longs/trailers, helmets, and bike lights. On the day of your reservation, you will pick up all of your equipment and Trail and Shuttle Passes at the Lookout Pass Ski Area. This is also where you will return your equipment at the end of the day.
You also can use your own bikes and equipment if you prefer, but you will still need to stop of the Lookout Pass Ski Area to pick up your Trail and Shuttle Passes.
Savvy Sojourner Tip: Lights and helmets are required for everyone on the Hiawatha Trail. Headlamps work well, but I like to rent lights when I purchase my Trail Passes. The rental lights attach to your handlebars and are bright enough to see in the St. Paul Pass Tunnel.
You can bring your own food and drinks on the Hiawatha Trail. Remember to keep the trail clean and pack out everything you pack in! Food is also available for purchase at the Lookout Pass Ski Area.
Click here for directions to Lookout Pass Ski Area.
Savvy Sojourner Tips:
The Route Hiawatha Bike Trail is a family favorite and will be a new favorite of yours. Here are a few tips to make planning your Hiawatha Trail adventure a success!
- Watch the forecast and plan for weather.
The weather can change during your ride, so make sure to be ready for sun or rain just in case! Reservations might be changed due to bad weather, but refunds are not guaranteed. - Start early and take your time.
I like to start when the trail opens at 8:30 a.m. The most popular time to start the trail is late morning to mid-afternoon. Starting early means you have the trail mostly to yourself and shorter shuttle bus lines. - Stop frequently and enjoy the ride!
The Hiawatha Trail is all about the journey and not the destination. Make sure to look around and soak in your surroundings! Read the historical markers, look over the trestle bridges, whistle in the tunnels, and have a snack break or enjoy a picnic lunch. Trust me, you won’t want to miss a minute of this trail!
For more information about the Route of the Hiawatha Bike Trail click here.
Want more travel planning tips?
Click here for 5 Steps to Planning a Successful Trip
Happy Sojourning!
Meghan
