Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Idaho, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The total one way distance from just east of Moscow to the end in Bear Creek canyon is 16 miles and is entirely paved. It is really fun, despite being uphill from Moscow but there is a "summit" halfway and then it is downhill both ways... The one odd thing we found is that the vault toilets are on the trail and not necessarily at the trailhead. We figured that maybe this was done to minimize vandalism. Despite this trail paralleling the highway, it was still alot of fun.
However, since it has been a few years since the last review, please note that the gravelled section at the end of the trail in Bear Creek Canyon is washed out. The paved trail ends and then there is a 10' section of gravel and then a steep gully down to the weeds and creek side. There is a hiking path that has been pioneered but it is not rideable due to rocks, boulders, sloughing and debris. It also does not appear that the paved trail will ever be built further as the cost of just reestablishing the railbed is prohibitive.
We had a great ride. Unfortunately there was smoke from wildfires. We rode down and back up; didn’t take the shuttle. We recommend not taking the shuttle. It is a very gradual grade. Be sure to have good lights. Wear layers; it’s cold in the tunnels. Finally watch for dangerous riders coming at you 2 and 3 abreast through the tunnels.
For the sake of not giving too many spoilers, I’ll start by saying, you will NOT be disappointed with this. Just do this trail. By the end of the ride you’ll know what a Hiawatha stripe is. ;-) As a point of reference, I had no mountain biking experience. My family and I (4 kids in tow) did this in a day. We loved everything even the Rocky Mountain rain that drenched us from head to toe! A piece of advice for those hauling kids in bike trailers or pull-behinds. Have them wear goggles or something. Our mountain bikes were flinging mud all over the kids and it’s not fun when they get gravel in their eye. Lights are must, pretty sure they enforce it at the trailhead. We parked at the top and took the bus back up. The fellow who did our bus was very entertaining- had us laughing so much! On top of that he knew the area very well and gave lots of extra details, very interesting tidbits!
Stayed in Kellogg and rode most of the trail. First day Harrison-Plummer and back, then Harrison-Black Rock and back. Lots of dead trees from forest fires. Second day Kellogg-Black Rock and back then Kellogg - Osborn and back in the afternoon. Decided to skip I-90 part from Osborn to Mullan and went MTB instead for a day. Lots of wildlife - moose, birds, turkeys. Not very many people riding in the end of September especially during the week. Harrison-Plummer is probably the most scenic.
Loved this rail trail. The tunnels were a cool treat (especially on the way uphill) and the trestle bridges provided gorgeous views. We saw a few deer, a snake, and chipmunks along the trail. It’s 15 miles downhill and the. You can get a shuttle to take you back up or just ride your bike back up. The uphill is a continuous slow climb. We rented regular bikes from Lookout Pass and paid the extra money to have them transport the bikes to the trail for us. They do provide a free bike rack but our rental car didn’t have a spot for it. We rode downhill, then back up. Dropped our bikes off at the beginning of the trail and we were in our merry way.
First of all let me say I’ve been traveling the United States for two years now and ridden more than 60 rail trails with my wife. We were excited after hearing about this trail. We rode the trail on Friday and were required to buy shuttle tickets to bring us back to the top which we didn’t want. We have ebikes. Then they wanted an additional $10 because they were ebikes. We paid $60 for the privilege of riding their trail which included a shuttle service we didn’t want and couldn’t even use unless we gave them another $10. The trail itself is so bumpy my hands were knumb and the bathrooms are in the same condition.
As of today, September 4, 2021, the description of the Snake River Trail is out of date. There is now a continuous trail from Shoshone Falls on the East to Washington Street on the West. I’m not sure of the exact distance, but it’s at least 5 miles 1 way, maybe a little longer. I ride it several times a week, weather permitting. The ride up out of Shoshone Falls is quite steep with hairpin turns. I have an electric bike so I can do it easily, but would have a hard time otherwise. I’m a 72 year old female. Younger athletic folks with good bikes can come up with a bit of extensive effort.
My second ride on Hiawatha was on an e-bike and it was a blast ¿ Rode down and up, faster up than down. Love it¿¿
Glad we went on a weekday. And seeing 5 moose made our day. The bridge is awesome also. One of my very favorite rides.
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