Overview of the 5 day trip: 

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Flat, easy, gliding makes traversing the trails connecting Montana, Idaho, and Washington a breeze. Our adventure begins on the border of Montana and Idaho on a stunning trail you won’t soon forget, crossing into Idaho’s scenic Silver Valley, and eventually dipping into Washington, ending on the smooth paths of charming Spokane.

 

The Silver Valley of Idaho is packed full of Mother Nature’s beauty. Thick forests, rambling rivers, and vivid-blue mountain lakes. Set in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains in the northern part of the state, the valley gets its name from gold rushers panning for gold but finding an abundance of silver instead. In fact, a few of the trails we’ll be riding on were once old mine railroad lines.

 

The local and statewide communities have made huge efforts to create fabulous recreational tree-lined trails cutting through mountainsides via train tunnels and skirting around beautiful rivers and lakes. We’ll enjoy a number of these on our adventure—from the 72-mile Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, originally used as a footpath by the Coeur d’Alene Indians, to the Route of the Hiawatha, a 15-mile long, all downhill trail that runs through 10 train tunnels (including one that is 1.66 miles long!) and 7 sky-high trestles.

 

All trails but the Route of the Hiawatha are mostly flat and well-maintained making them excellent skating trails. All skaters on this tour will need to bike on the second day along the Route of the Hiawatha.

 

Trip Highlights

• Cross off three states (Montana, Idaho, and Washington) on your skating bucket list!

• Skate 72 miles on the continuous, car-free paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

• Meet the "Prime Minister" of historic Wallace, Idaho and have your photo taken at the "Center of the Universe"

• Explore the fun lake resort town of Couer d'Alene

• Enjoy one day biking through tunnels and over soaring trestles on day along the Route of the Hiawatha

 

Itinerary:

 

DAY 1

We meet after lunch in Spokane, Washington either at the airport if you fly in that morning or downtown if you arrive the day before. We then shuttle to the nearby Fish Lake Trail, part of the 130-mile-long Columbia Plateau State Park Trail. The route is a former railroad corridor that cuts through scenic forests and the out-and-back skate offers the perfect warmup for the trip. From there it is a 90-minute drive to the small but memorable mountain town of Wallace, Idaho—population 759! We'll check into our hotel and then head out to meet the unforgettable "Prime Minister" of Wallace on a walking tour of town (also known as a journey to the Center of the Universe) After, we’ll head to dinner at The Fainting Goat, a local tapas restaurant.

 

Distance: 10 Miles

 

DAY 2

Everybody is on bikes today!  Our destination? The "Crown Jewel" of Rail-to-Trail Adventures: The Route of the Hiawatha! This section of the Milwaukee rail line boasts 15 miles of blissful biking with ten train tunnels, including the 1.6 mile-long St. Paul Pass Tunnel, and seven sky-high trestles. The best part? It's all slightly downhill! There will be plenty of time to enjoy our ride, stopping for photos and interpretive markers. We'll then head back to Wallace where you can choose from a number of activities including a hike on the Pulaski Trail commemorating Big Ed Pulaski, his crew and the Fires of 1910; the Oasis Bordello Museum; the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum; or a locally brewed beer at Wallace Brewing. (Please note that skating is not possible on the Route of the Hiawatha. We will rent a bicycle for this day for those who need it.)

 

Distances: 15 or 27 Miles

 

DAY 3

Yesterday's trail was the "Crown Jewel" of rail trails, but today's trail, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, is in the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame, and sure to be a day of skating you will never forget! Whether you choose to do all 72 miles or just a portion you'll be amazed at how the miles fly by as you skate almost all the way across the Panhandle of Idaho along the Coeur d'Alene River, through forests, farmlands, wetlands and over Lake Couer d'Alene via the Chatcolet Bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as osprey, waterfowl, deer, and even moose! We'll then head to the beautiful lake resort town of Coeur d'Alene, which will be our home for the next two nights.

 

Distances: 27, 49, or 72 Miles

 

DAY 4

This morning, we'll start our day directly out the door from our hotel, skating along the beautiful lake and onto the North Idaho Centennial Trail. We'll make our way out of Coeur d'Alene and head towards the Idaho/Washington state line, gliding alongside rivers and bridges, and through small towns. You'll have the choice to meet your guides at the state line to shuttle back to Coeur d'Alene, head back to town, or continue on to Mirabeau for some added mileage. Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner served up by one of the local restaurants.

 

Distances: 16, 32, or 48 Miles

 

DAY 5

Our final morning is a perfect out-and-back on the North Idaho Centennial Trail along the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene. We turn around at the trail's end, Higgens Point, where you can stop for a break to take in the stunning lake views. You can then choose to skate back to the hotel or hop in our shuttle, arriving in time for a shower before checking out. You are then free to grab lunch before we depart for the Spokane Airport.

 

Distances: 7 or 14 Miles

 

Trip Accommodations

NIGHTS 1 & 2 >> WALLACE INN / WALLACE, ID

At the base of the Bitterroot Mountains, the Wallace Inn is the perfect base camp for us to explore Idaho's Silver Valley. It is also located in a charmingly cute little town.

 

NIGHTS 3 & 4 >> BLACKWELL BOUTIQUE HOTEL / COEUR d'ALENE, ID

The Blackwell is the juxtaposition of historical grandeur blended with contemporary comforts and design. It's located in a quiet, tucked-away neighborhood yet close to trails, downtown and the lake.

 

What's Included?

• Three Zephyr guides accompany the trip 

• Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are traveling solo, we will match you with another traveler of the same gender. However, you may pay a single supplement to have your own room.

• All of your dinners and breakfasts are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included. In general, we leave lunches open so that you have time to explore and enjoy the local flavors en route.

• All your transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.

• All trail fees and permits are included.

• NOT INCLUDED Beverages, desserts, lunches, gratuities to your guides, personal expenses and travel to and from the destination.

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Giveaway Terms Apply: 

• No cash value if the trip cannot be used

• The winning spot on the trip is not transferable to another person or trip

• Airfare is not included

• Lodging is shared double occupancy

• Registration for the winning spot needs to be completed by 5/1/23