5-day North Idaho Rails-to-Trail and Hiawatha Bike Tour

MEETING LOCATION: Centennial Hotel in Spokane, Washington
MEETING TIME: 8:30 AM on Day 1
AVERAGE BIKING MILES: 15-42 miles per day 
TRIP LENGTH: 5 days
RETURN LOCATION: Centennial Hotel in Spokane, Washington
RETURN TIME: 4:00 - 6:00 pm on the Afternoon of Day 5
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age is 14 years
 

INCLUDED: 

• Services of our talented adventure consultants and professional guides
• All meals/beverages as indicated in the itinerary
• Gratuities for meals and accommodations
• On-trail drinks and snacks
• Van support
• Detailed maps and itineraries,
• All shuttles
• Van support and transportation during tour as noted
• Helmet, and related biking gear.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Bicycle (rentals available)
• Airfare/transportation beginning and ending points
• Alcohol with meals
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry
• Gratuities for guides
• Travel protection plan
• Pre and post-trip hotel
• 6% Idaho sales tax

Day 0: Arrive in Spokane

Make your way to Spokane, Washington, with flights avaiable from most major U.S. cities for those who can't drive, bus, or train from their home destination. Spend a day exploring the city at your leisure before the tour officially starts tomorrow. 

• Accommodations: Not Included - The preferred hotel is the Centennial Hotel in Spokane
• Meals: Not included

Day 1: Spokane to Coeur d’Alene

At 8:30 AM, meet your guide at the Centennial Hotel in Spokane and get ready to check out your bike. After a 30-minute drive west of downtown Spokane, we’ll kick off our adventure with a scenic ride through Riverside State Park, which spans 9,100 acres along the Spokane River. The paved trail meanders through a ponderosa pine forest, giving you a chance to admire the stunning basalt formations that were formed around 12 million years ago from ancient lava flows. 

Along the way, we’ll learn about the Spokane Tribe, the original inhabitants of the area, known as the “Children of the Sun”. We’ll also make a stop to discuss Camp 7 Mile, established in 1933 by the 949th Company of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), who were responsible for clearing land, building roads, and planting trees in what is now Riverside State Park.

Once we reach downtown Spokane, we’ll check out Spokane Falls and the site of the 1974 World Expo before enjoying lunch at a local spot. After a brief van transfer, we’ll once again hop back on our bikes and enjoy a short riverside ride before boarding our van to Coeur d’Alene where we’ll spend the night.

• Biking: 37 miles total.
• Accommodations: Springhill Suites by Marriott (or similar), Coeur d' Alene Idaho
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Explore Coeur d’Alene

Today begins with a morning ride along the beautiful shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, with our destination being Higgins Point, the easternmost point on the Idaho Centennial Trail. After cruising for 18 miles, you’ll have time to grab lunch at one of the wonderful restaurants in Coeur d’Alene.

In the afternoon, you’ll have some free time to check out downtown Coeur d’Alene. Stroll between the shops and art galleries to browse the local wares or take a scenic two-mile walk around Tubbs Hill. If you’re into golf, you might want to see if you can snag a tee time at the Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course!

We’ll wrap up the day with dinner together and another memorable evening in Coeur d’Alene.

• Biking: 18 miles (all paved). Optional routes are available for those who want a longer riding day.
• Accommodations: Springhill Suites by Marriott (or similar), Coeur d'Alene.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Coeur d’Alene to Kellogg

This morning, we’ll head south for about 35 minutes to Plummer, which sits on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation and marks the western end of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. This area is the homeland of the Schitsu’umsh people, who were dubbed the “Coeur d’Alenes” by early French fur traders, a name that translates to “people with a heart of an awl.” Back in the early 1800s, fur trappers recognized the Coeur d’Alene folks as clever and savvy traders, with hearts as sharp as a sewing awl.

As we leave the trailhead park, we’ll cruise along a slightly downhill path surrounded by towering pines until we hit the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. After crossing the lake on an impressive railroad bridge, we’ll follow the bike path that meanders along the lakefront to the quaint town of Harrison.

After grabbing a light lunch and maybe taking a quick dip in the lake, we’ll continue our ride on flat terrain, enjoying views of the Chain Lakes of the Coeur d’Alene River. The marshes here are alive with waterfowl and songbirds, making the area particularly appealing for birdwatchers. If anyone is feeling tired, they can opt to ride our shuttle from Cataldo to Kellogg where we will spend the night. 

• Biking: 42-mile bike ride (all paved).
• Accommodations: Morning Star Lodge at Silver Mountain Resort
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Route of the Hiawatha + Route of the Olympian

We’ll kick off the day with a quick drive from Idaho to Saltese, where we hop on the Route of the Olympian. This ambitious stretch of the Milwaukee railroad was built during a time when the railways were racing to carve out new paths to the west. Funded by the Rockefellers, the Route of the Olympian and Route of the Hiawatha came with a hefty price tag of $75,000 per mile, making it the most expensive railroad ever constructed.

After riding nine miles on the Route of the Olympian, we’ll reach the historic Hiawatha Trail and venture into the two-mile-long Taft Tunnel. Throughout the morning, we’ll cross seven trestles and navigate nine tunnels through the Bitterroot Mountains of the Rockies. The trail is in fantastic shape, featuring a gently sloping gravel path surrounded by forest. In the mid-afternoon, we’ll make our way back to Kellogg.

• Biking: 24 miles (packed gravel).
• Accommodations: Morning Star Lodge at Silver Mountain Resort
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Mullan to Wallace + Return to Spokane

This morning, we’ll ride all the way to the eastern end of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes in the quaint town of Mullan. Then we’ll turn around and cruise west for seven miles, riding downhill to the lovely town of Wallace. It’s packed with historic brick buildings and beautiful mansions that date back to the mining boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The highlight of the morning is an underground mine tour led by a seasoned hard rock miner who will share insights on mining techniques, machinery, and the area's industrial past. We’ll also hear about Edward Pulaski, a hero from the massive 1910 fire known as Idaho's “Big Burn”. After the fire, Pulaski created what would become one of the most crucial firefighting tools ever invented. 

After some free time to explore Wallace and enjoy lunch in the town, we’ll head back to Spokane around 2:30 or 3:00 pm. Our tour ends with a drop-off at the Centennial Hotel. 

• Biking: 11 miles (all paved).
• Accommodations: Not Included - Return to the Centennial Hotel in Spokane Washington
• Meals: Breakfast

Getting There

Spokane is located in the northeastern corner of Washington state, just a stones-throw from the Idaho-Washington border. You can fly into the Spokane International Airport (GEG) on almost any major airline including Alaska, Delta, Southwest, United, and Allegiant. You should plan to arrive the day before your bike tour starts.

You can easily grab a taxi or rent a car to get into town or your hotel. We recommend all guests stay at the Centennial Hotel in Spokane.

The Centennial Hotel is located in downtown Spokane right along the river with a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and parks within walking distance to explore the evening before your tour.

Provided transportation will begin in the morning on the first day of your bike tour.

Weather in Spokane

We highly recommend checking the weather prior to your trip for an updated forecast and current conditions. We recommend the following websites. 

Weather in Spokane, Washington 

Weather in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho 

When To Go?

May and early to mid June typically offer some nice cool weather- ideal for bike riding with windbreakers.

July, August, and September are pleasant months to be in Spokane and Coeur D’Alene with average summer temperatures ranging from 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

The weather like anywhere is unpredictable. We ask all guests to adhere closely to the packing list to make sure they are prepared at whatever weather the North West throws at us!

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Here at ROW Adventures, our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose. 

All of our multi-day biking trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions.  ROW Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities, and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip.  We ask that you consult your doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure. 

As your trip approaches, for your own safety as well as that of the entire group, we want to make sure that you can fulfill the following physical requirements of the trip:

• Wear all protective and safety equipment that is required by ROW Adventures and recommended/required by industry-wide standards.
• Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for ROW Adventures activities.
• Perform all biking activities, including following instructions on their own or with the assistance of a qualified companion or adaptive bike.
• The ability to make a quick and controlled emergency stop
• The ability to start and stop on a hill
• The ability to make controlled turns in tight corners
• The ability to ride at 10-14 mph for extended periods of time (We simply can't do the distance of 47 miles in the allotted time otherwise.)
• Able to enter a van with an 18-inch step
• Ability to climb 2-3 flights of stairs 
• Experience riding a bicycle for 2-4 hours at a time

Here is a recommended list of things to pack. Add and subtract to meet your needs. Please keep your luggage to one medium sized soft-sided piece such as a duffel bag which packs into our trailer more easily.  Next best is a soft-sided roller-bag. Otherwise, a regular roller bag will work as the next best option. You will also want to bring one carry-on day pack to leave in our support van during the day, where you will access at lunch and other points when we meet up with the van. We will provide 2 Luggage tags per guest. The two-bag guideline is strictly enforced. Please note that if you do not attach the provided luggage tag to your bag, there is a risk that the bag may be left behind.

Required Bike Specific Clothing

Remember that we ride 18-40 miles each day, which may be further than you are used to.  This is why we recommend padded bike shorts and a few other things that may be new to you. As well, we recommend checking the weather prior to your trip departure and adjusting the below quantities accordingly based on current forecasts. 

• 3-4 pairs of padded bike shorts or padded liners

• 1 pair of full-length bike pants or athletic pants

• 3-4 short-sleeve performance fabric shirts or bike jerseys, bright colors are great for visibility 

• 2-3 long sleeve performance fabric shirts

• 1 light fleece or performance jacket for layering

• 4-6 pairs of performance fabric socks

• 1 waterproof rain jacket

• 1 pair of waterproof rain pants

Required Accessories

• 1 pair of bike gloves, short-fingered and padded preferred
• Helmet (helmets are included with bike rental, but many people prefer their personal helmet)
• 1 helmet liner or thin hat
• 1 water bottle or hydration pack (We provide one insulated bike water bottle and recommend you bring a second one as well)

Optional Accessories

• Personal handlebar or seat bag (Will be provided if you don’t have one)
• Hydration pack
• Sun brim or visor for your helmet.  
• Chamois cream or butter
• Full fingered bike gloves or glove liners *for cool forecasts
• Toe covers for your biking shoes *for cool forecasts
• Helmet or handlebar mirror
• Your personal bike shoes (if clip in, be sure to bring your own pedals)    
• Personal bike seat    
• Padded seat cover    
• Cycling cap 
• Waterproof case for your camera or phone

Casual Attire

• 2-3 long bottoms (pants, skirt, etc)
• 1-2 short bottoms (shorts, skirt, etc)
• 2-4 short sleeve shirts
• 1-2 long sleeve shirts
• Undergarments 
• Walking or casual shoes
• 1-2 lightweight layering pieces such as a sweater, jacket, fleece
• Bathing suit or shorts

Personal Items

• Any necessary prescription medications 
• Allergy or other needed medications
• Personal hygiene items (Small bottle of hand soap and hand sanitizer)
• Sunscreen & SPF lip balm 
• Back up contact lenses or glasses
• Polarized sunglasses

Layering

Layering is a critical component to being prepared for outdoor activities and best prepares you for changing temperatures. First, wear a good wicking layer as your “against the skin layer”. This will help with moisture management and the dryer you are, the more comfortable you will be. Wool or synthetics are the best. They both work – the biggest pro on the wool side is odor control. Wool is naturally anti-bacterial and can be worn for multiple days in a row. It also provides excellent temperature regulation. Synthetics, on the other hand, dry a little faster and are often lighter weight. You can’t really go wrong as long as you aren’t wearing cotton (unless it’s an incredibly hot day!)

Other Items

• Cell phone and charger
• Credit/debit cards
• Medical insurance cards
• Travel insurance confirmation (if purchased)

Coming soon!

Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

Route of the Hiawatha

A Short History of America's Rails-to-Trails

Best Things To Do In Coeur D'Alene Idaho: Nearby activities to check out when visiting the area

Best Places to Eat in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho: Check out nearby staff favorites while you are in town!

Top 5 Family Vacations for 2025 - Learn about which trips we recommend for families and which adventure is right for you.

Best Places to Eat in Spokane, Washington: Check out our recommendations on where to grab coffee, beer, or dinner where our tours begin and end.

Guide to the Pacific Northwest's Top Rails-to-Trails: Learn more about the rails-to-trails you'll throughout North Idaho!

Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.