Biking the Hiawatha Trail on the border of Idaho and Montana is an adventure that should be on every biker’s bucket list. With beautiful and rugged mountains, 9 train tunnels, and 7 trestles suspended over the forest, the Hiawatha is one of the most scenic and unique biking trails in the country \u2014 and certainly one of the best in the Bitterroot Mountains.<\/p>\n
Biking the Hiawatha is usually done from the top down, making for a one-way 15.1 mile trip with a convenient bus shuttle waiting for visitors at the bottom. If you’re looking for more adventure, start from the bottom for a 30-mile roundtrip ride and take it easy on the downgrade for the second half. <\/p>\n
Like most bike trips, you’ll need some preparation to have a great time. I biked the trail this past summer and loved it, so in this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know to bike Idaho’s Hiawatha Bike Trail.<\/p>\n
The Route of the Hiawatha Bike Trail runs from Pearson, Idaho to East Portal, Montana<\/strong> along an abandoned railroad trestle. It’s in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and while it’s technically public property, it’s managed by the nearby Lookout Pass Ski Area which sells tickets and rents bikes, helmets, and everything you’ll need to complete the ride.<\/p>\n This bike trail has been named a “Hall of Fame” trail by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy<\/strong>, one of only 15 other bike trails in the country with this status \u2014 and it’s easy to see why. The route weaves through the rugged Bitterroot Mountains through train tunnels and trestles with great views of forested peaks, deep valleys, and cold mountain streams. <\/p>\n Since the trail follows the old Milwaukee Road train trestle, you’ll find the trail is moderate with very few obstacles.<\/p>\n