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Dining
Fishing
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Lodging
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Shopping
Spas/Massage
Tours
Summer Sports
Winter Sports
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Biking and Hiking
The hiking and biking opportunities in the two northern counties of Idaho are virtually endless. On this page we have listed some favorites. Most of these are great for both hiking and biking.
Sandpoint Area Trails
Gold Hill - This trail is easily accessible from Sandpoint. Take Highway 95 south from Sandpoint about 1/4 mile beyond the Long Bridge to Bottle Bay Road on the left. Proceed down Bottle Bay Road for 4.3 miles to the trail head on the right. The hike is a steep, winding ascent for 1 1/2 miles, and opens to fantastic panoramic views of the lake. This is a strenuous 3.7 mile single track for mountain bikers. You can extend the hike or bike 18 miles by continuing on Forest Road 2642 that will take you back to Sagle Road, then right to connect with the bike path leading back to Sandpoint.
Gold Hill - This trail is easily accessible from Sandpoint. Take Highway 95 south from Sandpoint about 1/4 mile beyond the Long Bridge to Bottle Bay Road on the left. Proceed down Bottle Bay Road for 4.3 miles to the trail head on the right. The hike is a steep, winding ascent for 1 1/2 miles, and opens to fantastic panoramic views of the lake. This is a strenuous 3.7 mile single track for mountain bikers. You can extend the hike or bike 18 miles by continuing on Forest Road 2642 that will take you back to Sagle Road, then right to connect with the bike path leading back to Sandpoint.
Grouse Creek Falls - The spectacular cascading falls are a must see. Go 6 miles east on Highway 200 from Sandpoint, then left onto Colburn-Culver Road. Go 6 miles to Grouse Creek Cut-Off Road on the right, then about two miles to join Grouse Creek or Forest Service Road 280. Go right and continue approximately 4 miles staying on Road 280 and watch for a small open meadow on the left. Just beyond the meadow on the right is an unmarked road going down a hill to the trail head #83.
Pend Oreille Bay Trail - An easy and scenic trail in Sandpoint. Going toward City Beach on Bridge Street, turn left immediately after you go under the train bridge. Proceed through the Season's Resort to the trail parking area.
Mickinnick Trail - Near Sandpoint and rewards your steep 4 mile climb with breath taking views. Proceed north on Highway 95 to Schweitzer Cut-off Road (by Wal-Mart) then left to Boyer, right to Schweitzer Mountain Road, left 1/2 mile to Woodland Drive then left for .7 miles to the trailhead on your right.
Pend Oreille Bay Trail - An easy and scenic trail in Sandpoint. Going toward City Beach on Bridge Street, turn left immediately after you go under the train bridge. Proceed through the Season's Resort to the trail parking area.
Mickinnick Trail - Near Sandpoint and rewards your steep 4 mile climb with breath taking views. Proceed north on Highway 95 to Schweitzer Cut-off Road (by Wal-Mart) then left to Boyer, right to Schweitzer Mountain Road, left 1/2 mile to Woodland Drive then left for .7 miles to the trailhead on your right.
Mineral Point Trail - Scenic views of the Green Monarchs and Lake Pend Oreille from this 2.1 mile single track bike or hiking trail. Take Highway 95 south from Sandpoint 6 miles to Sagle Road, left 6 miles to Garfield Bay turn-off on the right, then 2 miles to Green Bay Cut-Off Road on the left. Continue .4 miles to Road 532 then right about 2 miles to the trail head.
Sandpoint Bike Path System - It is a beautiful and relatively easy bike or hike on the bike path that ends in Sagle, 6 miles south of Sandpoint. A popular walk begins at the north end of the Long Bridge and over the Long Bridge and back. You can access another path along Highway 2 and ride all the way to Dover.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort Trails - There are miles of trails for all levels of riders and hikers. Friday through Sunday during the summer you can take your bike up on the Great Escape Quad Lift and ride down an advanced 3.5 mile bike trail. Free maps are available at Schweitzer. Highway 95 to Schweitzer Cut-off Road, right onto Boyer, left at Schweitzer Mountain Road for nine miles to the ski area.
Sandpoint Bike Path System - It is a beautiful and relatively easy bike or hike on the bike path that ends in Sagle, 6 miles south of Sandpoint. A popular walk begins at the north end of the Long Bridge and over the Long Bridge and back. You can access another path along Highway 2 and ride all the way to Dover.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort Trails - There are miles of trails for all levels of riders and hikers. Friday through Sunday during the summer you can take your bike up on the Great Escape Quad Lift and ride down an advanced 3.5 mile bike trail. Free maps are available at Schweitzer. Highway 95 to Schweitzer Cut-off Road, right onto Boyer, left at Schweitzer Mountain Road for nine miles to the ski area.
Clark Fork Trails
Scotchman Peak Wilderness Area - Trail #65 begins up an old road and continues four miles gaining 3,700 feet as you meander through forests and meadows. Great views overlooking the Clark Fork Delta and the Green Monarchs. To access this trail take Highway 200 from Sandpoint 25 miles to Lightning Creek Road in Clark Fork, turn left and go 1.2 miles to the fork (do not take Rd. 419), take the fork to the left and go 1.4 miles, turn right and go 1 mile, then left and go 1/2 mile, turn left and go 2.1 miles, turn left to the trailhead. The trailhead is a total of 6.3 miles from Clark Fork. This hike is strenuous.
Priest Lake Trails
Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars and Granite Falls - From Priest River take Highway 57 north to Nordman at Priest Lake then 13 miles on Highway 57 to Road 302. Beyond the glorious ancient Cedars is a path to Granite Falls, one of the most spectacular falls in Idaho.
Upper Priest Lake Navigation Trails - Take Highway 57 out of Priest River 36 miles north to Nordman then right on Reeder Bay Road for two miles to Elkins Resort then go north toward Beaver Creek to the 8 mile shore line single track trail. The trail leads past secluded swimming areas.
Scotchman Peak Wilderness Area - Trail #65 begins up an old road and continues four miles gaining 3,700 feet as you meander through forests and meadows. Great views overlooking the Clark Fork Delta and the Green Monarchs. To access this trail take Highway 200 from Sandpoint 25 miles to Lightning Creek Road in Clark Fork, turn left and go 1.2 miles to the fork (do not take Rd. 419), take the fork to the left and go 1.4 miles, turn right and go 1 mile, then left and go 1/2 mile, turn left and go 2.1 miles, turn left to the trailhead. The trailhead is a total of 6.3 miles from Clark Fork. This hike is strenuous.
Priest Lake Trails
Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars and Granite Falls - From Priest River take Highway 57 north to Nordman at Priest Lake then 13 miles on Highway 57 to Road 302. Beyond the glorious ancient Cedars is a path to Granite Falls, one of the most spectacular falls in Idaho.
Upper Priest Lake Navigation Trails - Take Highway 57 out of Priest River 36 miles north to Nordman then right on Reeder Bay Road for two miles to Elkins Resort then go north toward Beaver Creek to the 8 mile shore line single track trail. The trail leads past secluded swimming areas.
Bonners Ferry Trails
Smith Creek - Red Top Ridge Trail #21 - This is an easy 3.3 mile hike to the historic West Fork Cabin with access to Trail 102 that leads to Hidden Lake. Take Highway 95 north from Bonners Ferry 15 miles to Copeland Road then west across the Kootenai Valley to Road 417. At road 417 go right and continue north to the junction of Roads 281 and 2450. Follow Road 281 to Road 2446 then one mile to the trailhead.
Smith Creek - Red Top Ridge Trail #21 - This is an easy 3.3 mile hike to the historic West Fork Cabin with access to Trail 102 that leads to Hidden Lake. Take Highway 95 north from Bonners Ferry 15 miles to Copeland Road then west across the Kootenai Valley to Road 417. At road 417 go right and continue north to the junction of Roads 281 and 2450. Follow Road 281 to Road 2446 then one mile to the trailhead.
For a complete list of Idaho Panhandle National Forest Trails click here then go to Recreation.
