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OVERVIEW
The Idaho Panhandle tour is a clockwise loop starting and ending in Spokane, Washington. The route travels north on the spectacular Centennial trail toward Chewelah before heading east to Sandpoint, Idaho on little travelled scenic roads. After following Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork River into Montana, the route heads west once more to Idaho where we spend a day following the spectacular Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Reaching Washington, we finish our tour where we started, on the Centennial trail. This 397 mile, 7 day tour has something for everyone, tremendous variety in scenery, mountain passes, lakes and streams, plentiful opportunities for sighting wildlife, and two beautiful trail systems.
Download the route map (PDF).
WHAT TO EXPECT
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
This tour is rated as Intermediate. This tour has a 66-mile daily average, with two days over 80 miles that also include a mountain pass; total elevation gain for this tour is approximately 12,000’. Although the route generally traverses lightly travelled rural roads, there are occasional stretches with no shoulder or significant traffic.
WEATHER
Although mid June in eastern Washington can be very warm, northern Idaho and western Montana are similar to northwest Washington. Be prepared for rain as well as warm dry weather.
MEALS
This tour will provide both snacks and lunch on riding days. Breakfast and dinner are your responsibility, however our accommodations provide breakfast five of the seven mornings.
LODGING
Quality of lodging varies from basic to traditional motel chains such as La Quinta. We found all venues acceptable.
ITINERARY
Saturday, June 12
We meet the first night in Spokane and get to know each other over dinner and a brief informational meeting.
Sunday, June 13 (Day 1) - 61 miles, approximately 2,000’
The day begins on the Centennial trail through beautiful Riverside Park. Shortly after leaving the trail, we begin climbing on rural roads before descending to Williams Valley where we continue heading northwest towards our day’s end in Chewelah.
Monday, June 14 (Day 2) - 81 miles, approximately 4,400’
Our day begins with a nine mile, gradual, 2400’ climb over Flowery Trail pass. After our descent we avoid the highway and head toward the Idaho/Washington border in Newport. Following the Priest River we continue toward Sandpoint ending our day after following a bike path across Lake Pend Oreille.
Tuesday, June 15 (Day 3) - 64 miles, approximately 2,300’
The beautiful Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork river are our constant companions today as we travel southeast along a scenic highway toward our eventual day’s end in Trout Creek Montana. The road is dotted with interpretive signs and the landscape has you seeking waterfowl and moose throughout the day
Wednesday, June 16 (Day 4) – 87 miles, approximately 3,330’
The day begins continuing along the scenic highway before turning west where the work begins with a gradual 2400’ climb over Thompson pass. Here we leave Montana behind and enter Idaho once more, following the river down valley before turning back east on the Trail of the Couer d’Alenes toward our stop in Kellogg, Idaho.
Thursday, June 17 (Day 5) - Rest day
Spend your rest day touring Kellogg and its museum, riding mountain bikes on the Hiawatha Trail, touring historic Wallace, or just relaxing.
Friday, June 18 (Day 6) - 64 miles, approximately 1,250’
We spend all but 10 miles of our day on the spectacular Trail of the Couer d’Alenes. We travel through the Silver Valley, then past lakes, marshes, streams, and rolling farmlands; crossing bridges and trestles towards Plummer. A significant section of the route is along or across Lake Couer d’Alene. Our day ends in Worley.
Saturday, June 19 (Day 7) - 40 miles, approximately 1,750’
Today we continue past rolling farmlands before eventually entering Spokane where we again join the Centennial trail, avoiding the hustle and bustle of the city. We end our tour alongside the trail where we began one week earlier.
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