Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

About the trail

The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes runs between Plummer and Mullan in northern Idaho, near the southern tip of Lake Coeur d'Alene. The trail is mostly flat and well-maintained with plenty of rest stops and bathrooms along the way, so a short out-and-back works as well as a full day.

Electric bikes are a great choice for this trail, since they let you cover more ground without getting too tired, and kids love the idea of riding on an e-bike. You can rent one from our shop on Sherman Ave, which is one block from the lake and about 45 minutes from the main trailheads.

Riding the lakeside stretch of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes.

Which direction to ride

If you're taking on the whole trail, or a long stretch of it in one go, ride west to east, starting at Plummer and heading toward Mullan. Riding the other way, from Mullan back toward Plummer, usually means a headwind through the day, and that makes a long day a lot harder than it needs to be.

Where to start

There are two main starting points near Plummer, about 45 minutes from Coeur d'Alene.

• Heyburn State Park: This is the larger of the two, with plenty of parking and amenities, so it's a good choice if you're bringing a group or want full facilities.
• Chatcolet: It's a smaller starting point, but one of the most scenic sections of the trail is right at the start, so pick this one if you want to hit the best scenery right away.

Communities along the trail

The trail links a string of small towns between Plummer and Mullan, so you can treat it as a ride between stops rather than a single long push. They're listed west to east, the direction most riders travel from Coeur d'Alene.

1. Plummer This is Mile 0 and the western end. The trailhead is built around the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's veterans memorial, with a bronze statue honoring tribal veterans, and the Tribe was one of the partners that made the trail happen.
2. Harrison Harrison sits where the Coeur d'Alene River meets the lake, and the trail runs through town between the city park and the public beach. The Harrison Creamery is the place to stop for ice cream, and there's more on Harrison below.
3. Cataldo Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission State Park has its own trailhead here. The Mission of the Sacred Heart, built between 1850 and 1853, is the oldest standing building in Idaho, held together with wooden pegs rather than nails.
4. Enaville The Snake Pit has been serving since 1880 and is widely recognized as Idaho's oldest continuously operating restaurant. Find it at 1480 Coeur d'Alene River Road.
5. Kellogg Kellogg has three trailheads, at Silver Mountain, Kellogg Depot and Elizabeth Park. Silver Mountain Resort runs North America's longest gondola, 3.1 miles from downtown to the top.
6. Wallace Every building in downtown Wallace is on the National Register of Historic Places. The town declared itself the Center of the Universe in 2004, marked by a manhole cover at Sixth and Bank.

The trail carries on east of Wallace to its far end at Mullan.

Harrison

Harrison is a must-stop town on the trail, right at the mouth of the Coeur d'Alene River, and it's the perfect place to stop for lunch or ice cream. There are a few cafes, restaurants, and shops worth exploring, so take your time here, because it's one of the best parts of the ride.

If you ride about a mile past Harrison, keep your eyes open for moose near the river. Sightings are common, and they're the kind of thing you remember.

The Chatcolet Bridge

One of the highlights of the trail is the Chatcolet Bridge, which spans over a mile across Lake Coeur d'Alene. Riding across it on a bike is worth the trip on its own, and the views of the lake and the surrounding mountains are stunning. Once you cross the bridge you'll be riding right along the lake, which is the most scenic stretch of the entire trail.

Practical info

• Trail runs from Plummer to Mullan, 73 miles total
• Fully paved and mostly flat, great for all ages
• Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed, so our rentals are good to ride here
• Twenty developed trailheads along the route, with vault toilets and picnic tables
• Rest stops and bathrooms at regular intervals
• Camping, RV parks, and hotels available near the trail
• Trailheads near Plummer are about 45 minutes from CDA