WHERE DOES THE TRAIL BEGIN?
The trail is like a string that spans the north Idaho panhandle from Plummer to Mullan. The guidebook starts in Plummer and works east because Hn’ya)pqi’nn, the Plummer trailhead, is closest to Spokane, the largest city between Seattle and Chicago. It is the only trailhead that can be reached with public transit. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is headquartered in Plummer, and the region’s history starts with them. But with 19 access points, the beginning is up to you.
HOW DO I GET TO THE TRAILHEADS?
Drive, hire a shuttle service or use a tour company that features the trail. For ideas on how to get from Spokane to Plummer Trailhead on recreational trails and public transit see the last FAQ,“Can I get there without driving?" (HINT: The answer is yes!)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Riding the trail is free and there is no charge for parking at trailheads with the exception of a $4 Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) for day use in Heyburn State Park. Come without a vehicle, save gas and use the park free.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RIDE THE TRAIL?
Hard core cyclists have devoured the 146-mile round trip in a day. Many visitors ride the entire trail, or most of it, on a weekend, but there is enough to see and do to fill a weeklong vacation. Get the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's Unofficial Guidebook for details on historical points of interest, tours, displays and side trips.
WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO?
You will pass through country with unique historical, cultural and environmental features full of superlatives (highest, longest, oldest). Options include: hiking, boating, kayaking, touring, geo-caching, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, dancing, sightseeing,
antiquing and shopping, to name a few.
For detailed descriptions of trailside communities,
points of interest and side trips, get the Trail of the
Coeur d'Alene's Unofficial Guidebook.
DO TRAILHEADS HAVE DRINKING WATER?
The only water fountain at a trailhead is at Hn’ya)pqi’nn Trailhead (Plummer). It was donated by the Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort. Plan to buy plenty
of water at trailside stores. Stretches between sources vary from one to 25 miles. Do not attempt to treat and drink the water.
There is still mining contamination in the Coeur d’Alene River drainage and boiling water will only concentrate heavy metals present.
ARE THE RESTROOMS OPEN ALL YEAR?
Flush toilets at Hn’ya)pqi’nn Trailhead at Plummer and Heyburn State Park are shut down during cold weather to avoid damage from freezing. The
composting toilets on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation are open longer, but generally close in winter. Other restrooms are open all year.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD AND LODGING?
There are many places to eat and stay along the trail but some expanses have no amenities. Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's Unofficial Guidebook highlights restaurants in each trailside community. It offers an extensive list of motels, inns, vacation rentals and campgrounds within a mile of the trail and includes service providers that will pick you and your gear up at a trailhead or Spokane International Airport.
WHERE CAN I PITCH A TENT?
Only in campgrounds. Much of the property along the trail is private, the rest may be contaminated with heavy metals that remain from a century of mining in the Silver Valley. Camping should be restricted to designated campgrounds that have been cleaned up for public use.
CAN I MAKE A BONFIRE ALONG THE TRAIL?
No bonfires are allowed along the trail right of way.
WILL I BE ABLE TO FIND ORGANIC OR VEGETARIAN FOOD?
Typical Northwest fare is heavy on meat and restaurants along the trail use little, if any, organic or local produce. There are selected restaurants with wild salmon, salad bars, soups and vegie burgers, and these are listed in the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's Unofficial Guidebook. Many eateries serve specialties made with huckleberries picked in the surrounding mountains
and a couple of local farmers provide a few naturally grown items to chefs and grocers.
The Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's Unofficial
Guidebook includes a telephone list of trailside service providers.
WHERE CAN I RENT BICYCLES?
Bicycles are available at Great Cycles Bike Shop in Plummer,
Pedal Pushers in Harrison, Pinehurst Bike Shop, Excelsior Cycles in Kellogg
Silver Mountain Sports, Kellogg, and Silver Pine Trade Post, Wallace.
WHAT IS THE BEST SEASON TO RIDE?
Counters at several trailheads register about 100,000 visitors each year. Most come during late spring, summer and early autumn. So, if solitude is important, come during the off months. However, some businesses hibernate then, so to experience everything the trail and local communities have to offer, ride between Memorial and Labor Day. In May and June, the blooming wildflowers smell great, especially after a spring shower. Daytime summer temperatures can reach the 90s, even low 100s and drop to the 50s at night.
In late October the autumn colors are spectacular. The annual big snow generally starts around Thanksgiving and lasts until March.
HOW IS THE NORDIC SKIING?
The amount of snow varies from year to year and location on the trail. The parks department sets track from Smelterville south when conditions allow. People who don’t cross country ski are often unaware of the track’s purpose so they and/or their pets will be drawn to it as a convenient place to walk. There is generally more snow on the trail between Wallace and Mullan, which is shared with snowmobiles.
IS THE TRAIL ADA ACCESSIBLE?
The guide notes trailheads with disabled parking spaces and accessible restrooms. Much of the route is flat. Inclines at Plummer and Chatcolet Bridge are about five percent and engineered with level areas that give you a break from the uphill climb. The grade between Wallace and Mullan is about three percent.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Pets are welcome if they remain on a short leash and under your control at all times. Please clean up any ‘land mines’ they deposit.
ARE MOTORIZED VEHICLES ALLOWED?
Most of the trail is designated for non-motorized use. An exception is a multi-use section between Wallace and Mullan, which is open for snowmobiles.
Motorized wheelchairs are welcome but not motor-assisted bicycles. You may occasionally see an official vehicle.
ARE HORSES ALLOWED?
Horses are not allowed on the trail.
WHAT WILDLIFE IS THERE?
Much of the trail is rural and one of its charms is the presence of wild animals. Eagles, osprey, blue heron, deer, beaver, snakes, turtles, turkeys, moose, coyote, bear, elk, and cougar all inhabit the region. Enjoy these animals but don’t feed or approach them. If you see a cute little baby assume a protective mother is nearby. Watch for bear, deer, elk and coyote sign that announces the presence of these animals. Please report bear, cougar or moose sightings on or near the trail within the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation to the tribe’s
wildlife program by calling 208-686-6603.
ARE HELMETS REQUIRED?
Helmets are not legally required on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
CAN I GET THERE WITHOUT DRIVING?
Yes you can! If you are coming from other parts of the world and don’t want to drive, you can still reach the trail. There are several options – some more convenient than others. Consider a private shuttle service or a tour company that handles trail logistics. Guests of Silver Mountain Resort may inquire about transport with bicycles from Spokane International Airport. There are several boating options from Coeur d’Alene to the Harrison Marina Trailhead. You can get details to transportation options in the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's Unofficial Guidebook.
Here are a few examples of how to get to the trail using public transportation and recreational trails. The descriptions will be aided by your reference to a map of Spokane county.
Starting at Spokane International Airport, board
Spokane Transit Authority bus #64 to the Downtown Bus Plaza then bike to Riverfront Park by going east one block on Riverside and north on Howard.
There is a bike lane marked, ‘Wheels Only,’ between the fountain and carousel. It’s the Spokane Centennial Trail and this is where your cycle adventure begins. (Don’t detour onto Spokane’s Division St. because bicycles are illegal on the city’s main north/south artery). You can ride this trail all the way to Coeur d’Alene.
To meet a free
City Link bus, get off just before the Idaho state line marker, (where the Spokane trail becomes the North Idaho Centennial Trail).
The buses carry four bicycles at a time on a first-come-first-served basis. The City Link stop is in the Cabela’s parking lot at Point Baugh.
To get there, leave the Centennial Trail at Spokane Gateway Park and ride .5 mile east toward Seltice Way. Now you’re in Idaho. The only thing between you and Cabela’s
is a weedy vacant lot. It would be nice if a shortcut were established here because it’s a 2.4-mile circuitous trip on pavement. Go straight on Seltice
Way, turn right at the light onto Baugh Rd. and follow the asphalt to the City Link bus stop on the store’s southeast corner.
Ride this bus to the Riverstone stop in Coeur d’Alene and change to the ‘Link Route,’ Then you will be heading south on Hwy 95 to the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort in Worley.
You have to change buses one more time. At the casino, board the ‘Rural Route’ to Plummer for the last seven miles to the trailhead. Check the City Link website to confirm connections or
call them if you need clarification. If traveling late, why not book a room at the rustic chic Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and head out in the morning?
If you'd like to skip the 20-mile pedal on the Spokane trail you can get close to the Idaho border by hooking your bike on STA bus #74, which you can catch at the main bus plaza downtown Spokane.
Ride the bus all the way to Liberty Lake Park & Ride in the city of Spokane Valley. It's only 1.3 miles from the Harvard trailhead on the Centennial Trail.
You need to get onto Appleway heading west. Appleway is on the north end of the bus plaza complex. To get there you can go east one block on Mission where you'll turn left on Signal St, then ride one block
to Appleway. Take that a few blocks west to Liberty Lake Rd. There are some motels in the vicinity. Not a bad place to spend the night if you've already had a long day of traveling. Cross the intersection to the non-motorized bridge across I-90 then ride north on Harvard to the trailhead. From there, it’s an easy four mile ride to Idaho.
