Explore Three Epic Rail-Trails in Five Fun Days

Join Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers for a 5-day cycling adventure across three of the USA’s most celebrated rail-trails, including two Rail-Trail Hall of Fame routes: the Route of the Hiawatha and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. You’ll be wowed by North Idaho’s rugged beauty and the rich heritage of the Silver Valley, with a touch of Spokane charm.

We’ll kick things off on Sunday, July 26, at the Hampton Inn & Suites Spokane Valley, where we’ll gather and prepare for the week ahead. Our cycling adventure begins on Monday (Day 1) with the Spokane River Centennial Trail, that follows the scenic Spokane River through downtown Spokane. On Tuesday, we’ll continue onto the North Idaho Centennial Trail pedaling through Coeur d’Alene before hugging the shoreline of stunning Lake Coeur d’Alene. Day 2 will culminate with a ride to Higgins Point, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the lake, providing the perfect welcome to Idaho’s outdoors.

Day 3 features the bucket-list Route of the Hiawatha, renowned for its tunnels and trestle bridges that rise high above the forest canopy. Pedal through the Bitterroot Mountains, immersed in dramatic views and deep forests.

On Days 4 and 5, we’ll ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, winding through some of Idaho’s most beautiful landscapes, from lush forests and wetlands to sparkling rivers and pristine lakes. Keep an eye out for wildlife, enjoy the shimmering reflections on the water, and pass through historic towns with a story to tell as you cover the 72 miles of this special trail.

Route: Spokane River Centennial Trail
Miles: 31
Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites Spokane Valley

We’ll kick off the week with a ride on the Spokane River Centennial Trail, covering 31 miles. This lovely path winds through Riverside State Park, with unique rock formations, shady forested stretches, and plenty of river views along the way.

As we make our way into downtown Spokane, you’ll pass by Spokane Falls, one of the city’s best-known landmarks and the site of the 1974 World Expo. It’s a great spot to take a break, explore a little, and check out a pioneering hydroelectric project that still powers the city.

After a full day, you’ll ride into our Hampton Inn, where a relaxing evening and a well-earned meal await.

Route: Spokane River Centennial Trail to the North Idaho Centennial Trail
Miles: 32 or 43
Overnight: Holiday Inn Coeur d’Alene

We’ll roll out Tuesday morning from the hotel and head east, sticking with the Spokane River Centennial Trail until we cross into Idaho. From there, we transition to the North Idaho Centennial Trail, which follows the river and leads us straight into downtown Coeur d’Alene.

It’s an easygoing ride with plenty of scenery, including water views, tree-lined paths, and great photo ops along the way. We’ll continue past town and ride out to Higgins Point, a peaceful spot at the edge of Lake Coeur d’Alene that’s ideal for relaxing and soaking it all in.

From there, you can either ride the additional 11 miles back through town to our hotel or call it a day and let us pamper you. We’ll have a shuttle ready if your legs are content to call it a day.

Route: The Route of the Hiawatha
Miles: 29.4 round trip (14.7 miles each way)
Overnight: Wallace Inn

On Wednesday, we’ll shuttle from Coeur d’Alene up through the Silver Valley to Lookout Pass, where we’ll pick up gravel-ready bikes for the Route of the Hiawatha. On the way, we’ll stop at Cataldo Mission, one of Idaho’s oldest historic sites. It’s a great chance to stretch your legs, learn a bit of local history, and snap some photos. From Lookout Pass, we’ll shuttle to the East Portal trailhead of the Route of the Hiawatha, a Rail-Trail Hall of Fame favorite. You’ll ride 14.7 miles through 10 historic tunnels, including the famous 1.7-mile-long St. Paul Tunnel. Don’t forget your bike lights! You’ll also cross seven high trestle bridges with seriously stunning views. After reaching the Pearson Trailhead, we’ll turn around and ride back the same way. Then it’s off to Wallace, a cool little town known as the ‘Silver Capital of the World’, packed with history and colorful stories. We’ll tour Wallace by foot, taking in some history, and maybe picking up a few tales from the town’s spirited past, on our way to dinner. As you stroll the charming streets, it’s hard not to marvel at the steep, forested hillsides rising above town.

Route: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes Part 1
Miles: 50 or 65 (with Mullan add-on)
Overnight: Harrison, ID (Lakeview Lodge and Osprey Bed and Breakfast)

Thursday morning, we’ll saddle up at the Wallace Inn and hop on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a paved path that winds through some of the prettiest scenery in North Idaho. You’ll ride past rivers, wetlands, forests, and quiet little towns as the trail leads us west toward the lakeside village of Harrison. Keep your eyes open, as moose are often spotted along this stretch. You don't want to miss your chance to see a real life Bullwinkle.

If you want to cover every inch, you can start with a short 7.5-mile climb east to Mullan, the official start of the trail. Then you’ll turn around and enjoy a mostly downhill ride west toward Harrison for a total of 65 miles. Otherwise, the ride from our hotel in Wallace to Harrison is a relaxed and beautiful 50 miles. Once we reach Harrison, we’ll settle in for the night at Lakeview Lodge and Osprey Bed and Breakfast. This quaint village on the edge of Lake Coeur d’Alene is the perfect place to kick back and watch the sunset.

Route: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes Part 2
Miles: 16 miles
Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites Spokane Valley

With such gorgeous, peaceful views over the lake from our Harrison accommodations, we’ll take it slow and not rush back onto the trail. If you want to ride, you can always revisit a portion of yesterday’s ride toward Wallace, but we recommend relaxing and soaking in the serene beauty of Harrison. At 11 a.m., we’ll ride west toward Plummer, the western end of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. It’s just over 16 miles from Harrison to Plummer, with the first nine miles cruising alongside Lake Coeur d’Alene and the last seven climbing up the Plummer Creek basin to the western trailhead. In Plummer, we’ll load up the bikes and head back to Spokane Valley for our final night together. With memories of tunnels, trestles, lakes, and laughter, we’ll toast a week well-ridden.