Spectacular Views Await On The Bike Trails In Idaho

The Idaho mountains are a wonderful place to go for a biking adventure, and with 19,000+ miles of trails to choose from, there are trails for beginners and experienced riders alike. The best time to bike in Idaho is during summer and fall, because the spring is too wet and muddy and the hard winters make biking nearly impossible. But it’s worth the wait until early summer because the views are fantastic and the trails are awesome.

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.

If you’re planning to bike in the late summer or early fall-during the dry season-check out the nearly 19-mile route by McCall called the Bear Pete Trail. Don’t even attempt it during the wet season! As it is, during the dry time there is still a boggy area, but if it’s during the wet season, you won’t even be able to get through. This is another tough trail best left to more experienced riders, but it’s also a fantastic ride with incredible views. Following a steep incline and difficult climb, you’ll get a view that lets you see clear to the Saw Tooth Mountains and Oregon. And there’s a hot springs resort at the conclusion of the ride!

Idaho’s bike trails offer adventure and awesome views of the mountains, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls. The natural beauty is unsurpassed, and bike riders of all experience levels will love biking in this state. Just select the trail that is best suited to your experience level and enjoy the ride!