The North Idaho Centennial Trail has its east end at Higgins Point on Lake Coeur d’Alene and travels west to the Washington Stateline where it changes its name to the Spokane River Centennial Trail. My favorite section to ride is from Falls Park in Post Falls to the end to the trailhead in Millwood, eighteen miles to the west. At this point the trail shares the road for a few miles until it crosses Mission Avenue in Spokane. Millwood is a good place to turn around to avoid riding with cars. East of downtown Post Falls the trail also shares the road with motor vehicles for a couple of miles.
The trail west of Falls Park in Post Falls.
Approaching the Spokane River Bridge and the state line.
The old railroad bridge over the Spokane River.
Lupines along the trail in Washington.
The trail just west of Barker Road in Spokane Valley.
The trail between mile markers 8 and 9 in Washington.
The trail closely parallels the Spokane River in Washington.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s is a major reason I chose to move from Central Florida to North Idaho back in 2006. This 72 mile long paved bike trail almost spans the Idaho Panhandle from Mullan to Plummer. The River section is in my opinion the most scenic part closely followed by the section on the Coeur d’Alene reservation. The east end through the Silver Valley also is worth a visit and I ride it at least once a year. This trial is consistently ranked in the top ten bicycle trails in the nation and I still think its under rated. I’ve ridden the Mickelson in South Dakota, the Elroy Sparta in Wisconsin, the Chesapeake and Ohio in Maryland and the Withlacoochee in Florida and this trail is hands down more scenic and enjoyable.
The bridge north of Cataldo.
Where the North and South Forks meet close to the Snake Pit restaurant.
A view of the river from the trail.
Always keep to the left unless passing an oncoming moose.
A nice view of Frost Peak north of Cataldo.
Cottonwoods along the trail.
Wetlands along the trail near Medimont.
More wildlife along the trail.
Between the Bull Run Lake and Black Rock Trailheads.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s provides a diverse range of experiences for bicycle riders. These photos are all from the middle or as I like to call it, the River section. From Enaville to Harrison, the trail closely follows the Coeur d’Alene River for about thirty miles. In my opinion this is the most scenic and enjoyable part of the trail. I usually start at the Enaville Trailhead across Forest Road 13 from the locally famous Snake Pit Restaurant and Bar and ride into the prevailing summer wind to Medimont and back, a forty-four mile round trip. Another excellent option is to leave from the Bull Run Lake trailhead and ride the round trip to Harrison. Harrison has at least two very good restaurants and an ice cream shop.
