Idaho
Biking the Idaho Panhandle on Rails to Trails
Program No. 20762RJ
Spend five days biking the renowned Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, learning about regional history, diverse wildlife and the fascinating story of the Idaho Panhandle as you go!
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
7 days
6 nights
15 meals
6B 5L 4D
4
Route of the Hiawatha Trail
Wallace, ID
5
Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho Centennial Trail
Wallace, ID
6
Trail of the Coeur d'Alene
Wallace, ID
7
Program Concludes
Wallace, ID
At a Glance
Former railroad trestles stretched across fir-filled valleys and train tunnels plunging into rocky mountainsides form the milieu for a cycling adventure in northern Idaho’s panhandle. On the Couer d’Alene, Hiawatha and Centennial Rails to Trails routes — all of them top-notch recreational bike trails — pedal through charming villages and areas of fascinating history, unique geology and diverse ecology with interpretation by local experts.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Choose Your Pace
Bike 10–30 miles at a leisurely pace on streets with minimal traffic and elevation gains. Many rides offer varying distance options. Several bike paths above 3,000 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about and take in the small-town ambiance of local mining towns Wallace and Kellogg.
- Bike the Hiawatha trail, crown jewel of our nation’s Rails to Trails routes, through nine train tunnels and across seven trestles with views of the towering Bitterroot Mountains.
- Observe moose, deer, eagles, osprey, turtles and plants while biking.
General Notes
Comfort bike and helmet provided. Recommended are padded bike pants/shorts, bike gloves, comfortable bike shoes (no cleats), handlebar bag, rain gear. Program requires signed liability release waiver. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Suggested Reading List
(4 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Biking the Idaho Panhandle on Rails to Trails
Program Number: 20762
Silver Linings
We recommend you watch Silver Linings a 60 minute video produced by KSPS-PBS which provides a good historical perspective of the Silver Valley where we will biking and visiting during our program. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOaC3OzpkT0
John Mullan: The Tumultuous Life of a Western Road Builder
Portrays the history of the area in 1850-1870's. Book available at Amazon.com
The Big Burn
Describes the beginning of the National Forest Service in preserving much of our natural area as well as the 1910 forest fire that burned much of the area.
The Mullan Road: Carving a Passage through the Frontier Northwest. 1859-62
Focuses on John Mullan as he worked in the Idaho Panhandle from 1859-62. Book available at Amazon.com
