The route of the hiawatha trail is the crown jewel of railtotrail projects in the country. The trail passes through nine tunnels and over seven high safe trestles on its way from the old abandoned town of taft. Written by a local author with expert knowledge of the region, this easytouse book provides milebymile descriptions of the most popular rural and urban rail trails in. It is a highlight of the trail that follows the crest of the bitterroot mountains near lookout pass ski area. Paul tunnel on the hiawatha trail saturday june 23, 2018.
All rental bikes and equipment must be picked up at lookout pass ski area located off i90, exit 0, at the idahomontana state line. Post jobs, find pros, and collaborate commissionfree in our professional marketplace. A 15 mile downhill ride through the mountains of northern idaho. The idaho section opened the first miles in may 1998 for hikers and wilderness biking. Route of the hiawatha trail wallace all you need to know.
The path took us through nine tunnels, including the 1. The most dramatic stories from 1910 involve the very structures that make the route of the hiawatha stand out among mountain bike trails. Bike trail cuts through heart of 1910 burn area the spokesman. Bike racks are available free of charge with your bike rental purchase. Having traversed the route of the hiawatha trail many times over the last 15 years. The crown jewel of railtotrail mountain bicycle trails is operated by lookout pass ski area which is located adjacent to i90 at the idahomontana state line, 12 miles east of historic wallace, idaho. For trail lovers around the country, these two idaho railtrails hardly need an introduction. The hiawatha trail is located off i90 at exit 5 in montana. The taft tunnel is the longest of several railroad tunnels along the route of the hiawatha. Hiawatha mountain bike trail idaho 2020 all you need. The roughest part of the trail and less scenic is the 3 miles before pearson trailhead.
Billed as one of americas most unforgettable bike rides, the 15mile hiawatha trail follows the path of a former train route through pitchblack tunnels and across bridges which overlook vast valleys of pine. This is rugged country with big mountains, and to keep the grade, railroad engineers designed a series of tunnels and high trestle bridges that remain today as remarkable engineering feats. Nearly 3 hours biking slight down hill except return in tunnel. Hiawatha jersey friends of the coeur dalene trails. Reserve your trail passes, bikes, accessories and much more. The hiawatha trail and bearskin trail are two trails in wisconsins northern highlands which are often completed together the bearskin state trail. North idahos scenic 15mile hiawatha trail celebrates its 20th year. At the west end of montanas seemingly endless interstate 90 awaits a special delight for bicycling enthusiasts. Winding through 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, with heights up to 230 ft within the loop creek canyon, this 15mile route is an amazing outdoor adventure. The route of the hiawatha trail began as a part of the intercontinental railroad that ran from chicago to seattle in the early 1900s. The twin cities hiawatha was the original hiawatha, beginning service between chicago and the twin cities on may 29, 1935. The hiawatha trail, with its ten tunnels and seven high trestles, is not a trail youd want to bike in the winter. He is believed to have been born circa 1525, but not much is known about him prior to becoming chief. When the milwaukee railroad was operating, the trains traversed through 11 tunnels and over 9 high trestles, covering a 46 mile route that crossed the rugged bitterroot mountains between idaho and montana.
The 120mile long trail follows the shoreline that was once paddled by native americans and early european explorers. Best rail trails pacific northwest is the complete guide to walking, jogging, biking, and crosscountry skiing more than sixty of the best rail trails in one of the most beautiful and geographically varied reaches of america. Our whole family loves the hiawatha mountain biking trail. Find your way here no matter where you are coming from. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates. Stan johnsons book does everything a good guidebook should. Trail marshals are happy to assist with reasonable accommodation needs and information. The compact dirt and gravel trail begins with the 1. Crown jewel of railtotrail adventures route of the hiawatha. The route of the hiawatha scenic bike trail official website. This scenic bike trail on a converted railroad route passes over 7 trestles and through 10 tunnels. This route is not recommended for people with claustrophobia or fear of heights. The trail is relatively flat or downhill the entire time and you get to bike through 9 tunnels.
The route of the olympian has a complex set of use restrictions due to its fragmented course and local transportation needs. Biking the most unforgettable hiawatha trail idaho for. Also called milw taft tunnel milw tunnel 20 milw st. The route of the hiawatha trail is the crown jewel of railto trail projects in the country. Road trip to bike the route of the hiawatha in northern idaho. If you are interested in adaptive biking on the hiawatha trail, please visit our adapative biking information page. Route of the hiawatha scenic bike trail, mullan, idaho. This portion of the olympian hiawatha route has been called one of the most breathtaking scenic stretches of railroad in the. The trail may be accessed from numerous different directions. Ride your bike through 8 open tunnels and travel over 7 high trestle bridges following the mountainous terrain along loop creek. Route of the hiawatha trail video it was called one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country. Bearskin state trail wisconsin bike trails rail wisconsin. North idahos scenic hiawatha trail celebrates its 20th. While you bike, observe moose, deer, eagles, osprey, turtles and plants along the way.
Paul pass tunnel mt id border to moon pass road pearson. Route of the hiawatha bike trail, montanaidaho border. It will leave a strip of mud on your back, but it is totally worth it. The route encompasses 20 tunnels, nearly a dozen high steelbented trestles, and a. Traversing 11 tunnels and soaring over nine high trestles in the rugged bitterroot mountains between idaho and montana, this beautifully restored path is simply not your average railtotrail. Hiawatha trail bearskin state trail hiawatha trail bearskin state trail overview. Hiawatha mountain bike trail idaho all you need to.
At left is a spring waterfall that will slow to a trickle in. Hiawatha rail trail family trip the hiawatha is a rail trail in northern idaho that follows the route of the historic mining railroad. Idahos trail of the coeur dalenes and route of the hiawatha. Ride the route of the hiawatha, hiawatha trail, east portal. It was recently restored and provides a great family route with gentle grades that make. Children 5 and under are free and not included in total group count. Trail of the hiawatha mountain bike trail, wallace, idaho. Its a railstotrails, 15mile bike ride which straddles the montanaidaho border. The hiawatha trail opened up in 2001 as part of the rails to trails initiative, which seeks to.
He is attributed with having joined together five tribes to form the iroquois confederacy. Todays trail offers recreationists the chance to not only experience eight of the extensions tunnels, but also cross seven of its magnificent trestles. Organized groups of ten or more people may receive a 10% discount on trail, shuttle and bike rentals. Route of the hiawatha friends of the coeur dalene trails. A number of books describe the milwaukee roads role, including. Paul pass tunnel, and seven trestle bridges up to 230 feet high. The route of the hiawatha is best known for the long, dark st. The trail includes all kinds of incredible tunnels and trestles as it snakes through the bitteroot mountains. The route of the hiawatha rails to trails cyclinghiking trail is 15 miles long with 10 train tunnels and 7 railroad trestles. Originally operating in the late 1800s from chicago to portland, the hiawatha trail, often referred to as the crown jewel of railstotrails. Paul pass, or taft tunnel, which burrows 8,771 feet 1. Group rates and seasonal passes are also available. Over 15 miles of railroad track has been converted into a beautiful and gentle downhill biking and walking trail.
Be mindful of young riders, especially in the longer tunnels. The trail is well maintained, packed gravel, wide enough for bike traffic in both directions. The mile segment currently open includes eleven tunnels. The bearskin state trail located in wisconsin is an 18. Route of the hiawatha official website buy tickets and.
Having traversed the route of the hiawatha trail many times over the last 15 years, i have eagerly awaited the publication of this book. The trail follows the abandoned railroad bed of the old milwaukee road railroad line that once brought thousands of visitors to the northwoods. The trail directly links with the popular route of the hiawatha, allowing for a longer journey across the border into idaho through the jawdropping taft tunnel. There are 9 of 10 train tunnels and 7 of 8 trestles on this trail that are still accessible. Bike the hiawatha trail, crown jewel of our nations rails to trails routes, through nine train tunnels and across seven trestles with views of the towering bitterroot mountains. Mountain bikes are the most common on the trail, however a crossover bike could be sufficient. The trail encompasses ten tunnels and seven soaring trestles.
The route of the hiawathas most wellknown feature is the long st. Winding through the bitterroot mountains, the trail follows the gentle 1. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking and trail running. Hiawatha mountain bike trail idaho 2020 all you need to know. Ride the hiawatha trail with your kids coeur dalene. Groups larger than 10 people can register together and receive a 10% group discount. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the enjoyment of as well as the development and maintenance of the trail of the coeur dalenes.
Bike trail cuts through heart of 1910 burn area the. Route of the hiawatha is operated by lookout pass ski area under a specialuse permit of the u. However, thanks to the efforts of individuals who recognized the significance of the railroad and the picturesque wilderness it provided access to, the route was converted into a mountain biking. The hiawatha water trail hwt traverses from big bay to grand marais on the southern shore of lake superior. Hiawatha rail trail family trip western spirit cycling. The snow in these rugged bitterroot mountains over the idaho and montana border would be tough enough, even without the bears that are rumored to hibernate in some of the tunnels. On the final weekend of the season, we rented bikes and completed the trail unforgettable doesnt even begin to describe it. Visit hiawatha mountain bike trail on your trip to idaho. There are also 7 trestle bridges that youll ride over.
The views, the tunnels, the bridges, and the overall quality of the trail are amazing. On the idahomontana border, the old milwaukee railroad has been transformed into one of the most breathtaking bike rides in the world. The first tunnel which is over a mile long is so fun. The route follows the historic milwaukee road, an electrified railway through the northern bitterroot range. Use our mullan journey planner to visit hiawatha mountain bike trail on your trip to mullan. The route of the hiawatha mountain bike or hike trail is 15 miles long with 10 train tunnels and 7 skyhigh trestles. All across america old railroad beds are being converted into trails for uses such as walking, running and biking. Hiawatha was a mohawk indian chief or the leader of the onondaga tribe depending on the source. The hiawatha usedstyled streamlined class a 442 steam locomotives built by the american locomotive company and was intended to compete directly with the chicago, burlington and quincy railroads burlington route twin cities zephyrs and chicago and north western railway. Route of the hiawatha scenic bike trail home facebook. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. There is a lot of good riding out each end as well. Paul pass tunnel mtid border to moon pass road pearson.
Biking the most unforgettable hiawatha trail idaho for 91 days. This award winning nonmotorized, developed, alpine trail is known for its beauty. This portion of the olympian hiawatha route has been called one of the most breathtaking scenic stretches of railroad in the country. In may 1998, the route of the hiawatha opened to the public. The 6 12 mile hiawatha trail cuts through some of the most attractive lake country in all the northwoods. Hiawatha trail bike tour route of the hiawatha, guided trip. Theyve been featured multiple times inrails to trails magazine, and in countless tell us responses, letters and summer remembrances. Bicyclists exit the taft tunnel and emerge into the surrounding beauty of the national forest last month. The railroad officially closed in 1980 and was abandoned. Billed as the crown jewel of railtotrail adventures, the route of the hiawatha mountain trail traverses a 15mile section of the old milwaukee rail line that carried passengers during its 50 years of operation. The route of the hiawatha railtrail was dedicated by a parade of mountainbiking albeit erratically dressed dignitaries last week, then was baptized by a gullycutting latespring rainstorm.