Montana-Idaho-Washington Skating Adventure

DAY 1

We meet after lunch in Spokane, Washington either at the airport if you fly in that morning or downtown if you arrive the day before. We then shuttle to the nearby Fish Lake Trail for introductions each other ( and to our bicycles if applicable). Part of the 130-mile-long Columbia Plateau State Park Trail, this short and flat paved portion of the trail is just outside Spokane and a short drive from the airport. The route is a former railroad corridor that cuts through scenic forests. This out-and-back ride offers the perfect warmup for the trip.  From there it is a 90-minute drive to the small but memorable mountain town of Wallace, Idaho - population 759! We'll check into our hotel and get cleaned up before meeting with the unforgettable "Prime Minister" of Wallace on a walking tour of town (also known as a journey to the Center of the Universe) before our dinner at The Fainting Goat, a local tapas restaurant.

Distance: 10 Miles

DAY 2

Everybody is on bikes today!  Our destination? The "Crown Jewel" of Rail-to-Trail Adventures: The Route of the Hiawatha! This section of the Milwaukee rail line boasts 15 miles of blissful biking with ten train tunnels, including the 1.6 mile-long St. Paul Pass Tunnel (also known as the Taft Tunnel) and seven sky-high trestles. The best part? It's all slightly downhill! There will be plenty of time to enjoy our ride, stopping for photos and interpretive markers. We'll then head back to Wallace where you can choose from a number of activities including a hike on the Pulaski Trail commemorating Big Ed Pulaski, his crew and the Fires of 1910; the Oasis Bordello Museum; the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum; or a locally brewed beer at Wallace Brewing. (Please note that skating is not possible on the Route of the Hiawatha. We will rent a bicycle for this day for those who need it.)

Distances: 15 or 27 Miles

DAY 3

Yesterday's trail was the "Crown Jewel" of rail trails, but today's trail, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, is in the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame, and likely to be a day of skating and bicycling you will never forget! Whether you choose to do all 72 miles or just a portion you'll be amazed at how the miles fly by as you skate or bike almost all the way across the Panhandle of Idaho along the Coeur d'Alene River, through forests, farmlands, wetlands and over Lake Couer d'Alene via the Chatcolet Bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as osprey, waterfowl, deer, and even moose! We'll then head to the beautiful lake resort town of Coeur d'Alene, which will be our home for the next two nights.

Distances: 27, 49, or 72 Miles

DAY 4

This morning, we'll start our day directly out the door from our hotel, skating and biking along the beautiful lake and onto the North Idaho Centennial Trail. We'll make our way out of Coeur d'Alene and head towards the Idaho/Washington state line, gliding and riding alongside rivers and bridges, and through small towns. You'll have the choice to meet your guides at the state line to shuttle back to Coeur d'Alene, head back to town, or continue on to Mirabeau for some added mileage. Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner served up by one of the local restaurants.

Distances: 16, 32, or 48 Miles

DAY 5

Our final morning is a perfect out-and-back on the North Idaho Centennial Trail along the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene. We turn around at the trail's end, Higgens Point, where you can stop for a break to take in the stunning lake views. You can then choose to skate or pedal back to the hotel or hop in our shuttle, arriving in time for a shower before checking out. You are then free to grab lunch before we depart for the Spokane Airport.

Distances: 7 or 14 Miles