Riding Your Bike in Idaho
There are over 19,000 miles of bike trails in the state of Idaho. In an area thats known for its mountains and rivers, you can expect some spectacular riding! Because of harder winters and wet springs, the best time to ride is usually summer or early fall. Here are a variety of trails that Idaho has to offer for riders of every skill level.
The Mink Creek Recreation Area near Pocatello has an 11-mile loop called the Valve or Pump House trail. This is a great place for beginners to hone their skills. Theres nothing too technical here, but it will test your endurance. Bring plenty of water.
If you want to get a great view of the nearby Saw Tooth Mountains, ride up on the 12-mile loop by Stanley called Elk Mountain. The climb isn’t too difficult, you’ll cross a few streams, and then the downhill route is pretty rocky going down to Elk Meadows, but overall it’s a good trail for intermediate bikers. And the scenery and views are fabulous.
For more fantastic scenery, try the 12 miles of trail by McCall at Goose Creek Falls. This trail, too, involves crossing the creek a few times-via log crossings, on foot, or by bridge-but those are the only significant challenges, so it’s great for beginning riders. Camping is available nearby, too. But the biggest reward is the view of the 45-foot waterfall you’ll encounter on this route.
If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, the well maintained trails at the Schweitzer Mountain Resort may be just the ticket. These 25 miles of intermediate to advanced trails include bridges, berms, turns, and other challenges, and the descent is particularly tricky. You can even get a ride to the top and then just concentrate all your energy on the going down part.
If speed is more your style, head over toward Ketchum to the Bald Mountain Downhill trail. You can climb the hill yourself and tackle this 10-mile loop, but with an elevation gain somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, you may just want to opt for the $15 chairlift ride to the top. Coming down is an incredible rush! Don’t try this one without a full suspension bike, and you’d better plan ahead by packing extra tubes and a repair kit, because you never know when you’re going to need them. This trail is also open to hikers, and due to the speed, you should be extra cautious when navigating this trail.
The Bear Pete trail near McCall is another burning-kick-in-the-seat-of-the-pants ride! It is approximately 19 miles, but you are rewarded with a hot springs resort at the end and a lot of gorgeous views along the way. The best time to go is in late summer or early fall, when its fairly dry. You will pass through a boggy area and during the wet season it could be practically impassable. Theres a pretty steep climb followed by a tricky descent, but once you get to the top you can see all the way to Oregon and the Saw Tooth Mountains!
Idaho is primarily mountainous, which means that for every mountain there is probably a valley and river, and maybe even a waterfall. This kind of environment is perfect for the adventurous rider. Enjoy this rugged state in all its natural beauty and have a spectacular time riding while you do!
