Riding the Route of the Hiawatha in Idaho’s Silver Valley

All over America, railroad lines are starting to see a resurgence, not for train travel however, but for recreation for hikers and bikers. Known widely as rail trails there are about 25,304 miles of them throughout America, and you won’t want to miss this one in Idaho’s Silver Valley. It’s known locally as the Crown Jewel of rail-to-trail adventures. The Route of the Hiawatha is just 15 miles long, but what makes this adventure so unique is that it travels over 7 sky high train trestles and through 10 old tunnels.

I got to ride this trail over the summer and had a muddy great time not only on the trail but exploring the Silver Valley of Idaho. A large area, consisting of several small towns that are surrounded by mountains and national forest. Outside of outdoor adventures, there is also a rich mining history. The towns are a living history of mining, logging and the ways of the old west. I toured old Bordellos, went underground into mine shafts, walked and biked the old railroad lines, and recounted the history of the great fire of 1910.

Riding the Route of the Hiawatha

I have done my fair share of biking throughout my life but I am by no means an avid cyclist so the Route of the Hiawatha was the perfect bike ride for me, that mixed adventure, and a little exercise with spectacular scenery, and best of all no uphills. There’s even a shuttle to take you back to your car at the end of the trail. The route is 15 miles on a downhill grade that follows along an old section of the Milwaukee Road railroad. After picking up a bike and shuttle ticket at Lookout Pass I drove the 15 minutes or so to the trailhead, and started the ride in a light rain.

Almost right away I entered St. Paul Pass, the first tunnel which is 1.6 miles long and goes right through the Bitterroot Mountains. The tunnel is dark and cold so headlights or bike lights are a necessity. (Ask for one when you pick up your tickets if you don’t have one). The tunnel is also damp and often wet, so wearing something you don’t mind getting muddy is pretty important. Watch The Video to see what I mean

Immediately after exiting the tunnel I saw my first trailside waterfall, which caught the attention of many of the other riders as well. Continuing on the trail there are many historical markers to learn about the areas history and beautiful viewpoints across the valley of trees. I leisurely rode down the meandering hillsides through more tunnels and over more bridges marveling at the scenery and rolling fog that came in waves over the treeline.

Something super interesting is that most of the trees are the exact same size and species, so the forest looks almost too perfect to believe that it’s real. This area of the Bitterroot mountains burned down over a century ago, in the great fire of 1910.

After about two hours I reached the end of the trail, where there is a shuttle attendant, water station, bathroom and benches for waiting for the shuttle which comes about every 30 minutes.

Getting to the Trail of The Hiawatha

Regardless of which direction you are arriving from you will want to head to Lookout Pass Ski Area to pick up shuttle & trail tickets which is located along I-90 at the border of Montana at exit 0.

From Lookout Pass you will head East on I-90 and take exit 5. Then follow the Hiawatha signs for 2 miles on a dirt/gravel road towards the East portal/Taft Parking Lot.

Hiawatha Tickets, Shuttle and Trail Information

Lookout Pass Ski Area is open daily at 8am. Rent & Pickup bikes, lights, helmets and Tag-alongs for kids.

Tickets for the trail and shuttle can be reserved in advance at https://www.ridethehiawatha.com/the–trail

Trail details: Open May 26- September 17th 8:30am – 5pm.

More to do in the Silver Valley

The route of the Hiawatha is located in Idaho’s Silver Valley. Post ride head into Wallace and grab lunch at Slab Meat BBQ or The Fainting Goat Wine Bar and explore some of the local shops. If you are into minerals you will love Johnsons Gems which happens to be right on the corner of the Center of the Universe. Then spend a few days in the small towns of Wallace, Mullan and Kellogg. Here you can find golfing, hiking, breweries, mine tours, restaurants and history. Plus there are more than 1,000 miles of mining, logging, and forest service roads that have been turned into the world’s largest trail system for bikers, hikers, ATV and snowmobiling roads.