The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is like a string that spans the north Idaho panhandle from Plummer to Mullan. The guidebook starts in Plummer and works east for several reasons. Trail miles are marked on maps beginning at Hn’ya)pqi’nn, the Plummer Trailhead. It is closest to Spokane (the largest city between Seattle and Chicago) and has an international airport. It is the only trailhead that can be reached with public transit. The region's history begins with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, and it is their vision and hard work that brought this recreational trail into being.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

You can drive, hire a shuttle service or use a tour company that features the trail. Several lodgings providers offer courtesy shuttles. You can also travel all the way from Spokane International Airport to the Plummer Trailhead using only recreational trails and public transit. (See last FAQ).

WHERE CAN I GET A MAP?

Several good Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes maps by various publishers are available at many visitor centers and businesses in the area. Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails has maps to view and order online. An Idaho Parks and Recreation Dept. map can be viewed on their Web site.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Riding the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is free and there is no charge for parking at trailheads with the exception of a $5 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?

Many visitors ride the entire trail, or most of it, in two or three days, but there is enough to see and do for a memorable weeklong vacation.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO?

There is enough to do along the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes to create a great pedal powered vacation in North Idaho. Your options include hiking, boating, kayaking, touring, geo-caching, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, dancing, sightseeing, wine tasting, antiquing and shopping, to name a few. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes Unofficial Guidebook includes convenient Connecting Trips, selected because they afford easy access by bicycle, or are supported with courtesy shuttles for you and your gear. The 2010 guide includes info on several day-rides on rural roads.

ARE GUIDED TOURS AVAILABLE?

Guided tours by ROW Adventures are led by knowledgeable, certified guides. Silver Bike Tours specializes in self-guided, fully-supported trail vacations.

DO TRAILHEADS HAVE DRINKING WATER?

The only water fountain at a trailhead is at Hn’ya)pqi’nn Trailhead (Plummer). Plan to buy plenty of water at trailside stores. Stretches between sources vary from one to 25 miles.

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. Portable restrooms at Cataldo and Mullan Trailheads are removed during the off-season. Other restrooms stay open year round.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD AND LODGING?

There are many places to eat and stay along the trail but some expanses have no amenities. The 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. Lodgings providers that advertise on this page cater to trail riders.

WHERE CAN I PITCH A TENT?

Camping is restricted to established campgrounds, such as Harrison City Campground on Lake Coeur d'Alene, pictured here. Click here and scroll down for a slide show of the area including a shot of the RV section. See the bar on the right for links to other campgrounds along the trail. The webcam link above shows views of the area traversed by the trail south of Harrison, Idaho.

For detailed descriptions of trailside communities, points of interest, historical insights and connecting trips, get the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's Unofficial Guidebook.

CAN I MAKE A BONFIRE?

No bonfires are allowed along the trail right of way.

WILL I BE ABLE TO FIND ORGANIC OR VEGETARIAN FOOD?

Some restaurants offer enlightened dining selections including wild salmon, salad bars, soups, vegie burgers and organic ingredients, and these are noted 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.

WHERE CAN I RENT BICYCLES?

Bicycle rentals are available along the trail at three locations: Pedal Pushers in Harrison, Excelsior Cycles in Kellogg and Silver Mountain Sports in Kellogg.

The Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's Unofficial Guidebook includes a telephone list of trailside lodgings, bike rentals and transportation options to the trail.

IS THE TRAIL ADA ACCESSIBLE?

Yes. 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. Silver Mountain Resort, The Pines Motel and St. Maries Inn offer shuttles to guest from the airport.

Here is one way to get to the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes using only public transportation and recreational trails. The description will be aided by reference to maps of Spokane County in Washington and Kootenai County in North Idaho.

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 four blocks north on Howard. Look for the bike lane marked, ‘Wheels Only,’ between the fountain and carousel. It’s the Spokane Centennial Trail and this is where your cycle adventure begins. (Helmets are required in Spokane and bikes are not allowed on Division St.). You can ride this trail all the way to the Riverstone bus stop in Coeur d’Alene, where a free bus called City Link will take you to the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort. That's where you catch a bus to the Plummer Trailhead eight miles south.

You can also meet a free CityLink bus just across the Idaho line in the Cabela’s parking lot, about a mile from the Spokane Centennial Trail. The buses carry four bicycles at a time on a first-come-first-served basis. Make sure to check with the transit departments for specifics on traveling on their buses with bicycles.

Have you already ridden North Idaho's
Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes?
Share your best, worst or ho-hum trail experiences on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes Riders Facebook group.