I discovered the beautiful, scenic Route of the Hiawatha on a trip from Spokane.
It starts near Avery and ends in St. Regis, Montana.
The route closes in the winter, so be sure to plan accordingly.
You have to purchase a trail pass to go on the trail. Adult passes are $18+ ($36+ on weekends). Child passes are $14+ ($28+ on weekends).
The 15-mile mountain biking and hiking trail will take you on the historic Milwaukee Road, widely considered to be one of the most picturesque stretches of railroad route in the American West.
What You'll See Along the Way
Today, the 15-mile trail encompasses the abandoned track and takes you on the original Milwaukee Road train route, stretching from St. Regis, Montana to the area between Pearson and Avery, Idaho.
You'll pass through 10 tunnels and seven trestles of the train’s route, beginning with its most notable landmark, the St. Paul Pass Tunnel, which runs 1.66 miles underneath the Bitterroot Mountain range.
Look out for the sign inside the tunnel marks the location of the Montana-Idaho state line!
There is a scenic waterfall near the tunnel’s West Portal so keep your eyes open and camera ready.
If you'd rather skip this tunnel, Forest Service Road 506 provides a bypass to the Roland trailhead.
After the tunnel, a 13-mile Idaho Trail stretches from Roland to Pearson at the North Fork of the St. Joe River, containing eight tunnels and all of the route’s high trestles.
An easy grade gravel road follows Loop Creek downhill from an elevation of 4,160 at the entrance to the West Portal to Pearson’s 3,175-foot elevation, with the section between Moss Creek and Pearson only available to foot and bike traffic. At the end of the route, shuttle buses are provided to take you back to the trail’s beginning.
You have to buy trail passes (and shuttle bus tickets) at Lookout Pass Ski Area, which is located near Wallace, Idaho off of Interstate 90.
If you don't have your own bike, you can rent one. The rentals are lighted bikes for travel through the dark tunnel. Campground spaces are available at the start and end of the trail for riders and hikers if you are seeking overnight experiences. The trail is closed during the winter months due to weather conditions, although several other area trails offer year-round service.
My highlight? The trail-side lunch I packed to enjoy after riding through the eerie, mile-long St. Paul Pass Tunnel. I found a sunny spot with mountain views and had a turkey and cheddar sandwich, trail mix, and a cold can of lemon seltzer. Between the forest silence, the old railroad trestles, and the cool air from the tunnels, it felt like a peaceful, pedal-powered adventure back in time.
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