Riding Your Bike in Idaho

The Idaho mountains are a wonderful place to go for a biking adventure, and with 19,000+ miles of trails to choose from, there are trails for beginners and experienced riders alike. The best time to bike in Idaho is during summer and fall, because the spring is too wet and muddy and the hard winters make biking nearly impossible. But it's worth the wait until early summer because the views are fantastic and the trails are awesome.

Beginners may want to start on an 11-mile loop not far from Pocatello. This trail-referred to as the Valve or Pump House Trail in the Mink Creek Recreation Area-is a long simple trek that can help build riding endurance without too many technical challenges. Don't forget to bring water, though, and stay hydrated.

Near Stanley, intermediate riders will enjoy the 12-mile loop called Elk Mountain. This trail is initially a pretty easy uphill climb and it provides a fantastic view of the Saw Tooth Mountains, but the descent is pretty rocky all the way down to Elk Meadows. You get to cross a few streams, too. All along this trail, the scenery is incredible.

Goose Creek Falls is the perfect ride for the nature lover. You dont have to too experienced to enjoy this ride. Its a 12-mile track near McCall that takes you back to 45-foot waterfall. You will have to actually cross Goose Creek a couple of times either by a bridge, a log crossing, or on foot. Other than that, theres not too much complexity about the trail. You can even camp nearby.

If you're looking for something a bit more challenging, the well maintained trails at the Schweitzer Mountain Resort may be just the ticket. These 25 miles of intermediate to advanced trails include bridges, berms, turns, and other challenges, and the descent is particularly tricky. You can even get a ride to the top and then just concentrate all your energy on the going down part.

The Bald Mountain Downhill trail is an incredible ride for speed lovers! It is a 10-mile loop near Ketchum that has an elevation gain of 3,000-4,000 feet! Youll need a bike with full suspension and definitely bring along a repair kit and extra tubes just in case. If you want to avoid the grueling climb up, you can always ride a chairlift for $15. Then you can enjoy the downhill race over and over again all day long. Watch out for other bikers and hikers as well.

The Bear Pete trail near McCall is another burning-kick-in-the-seat-of-the-pants ride! It is approximately 19 miles, but you are rewarded with a hot springs resort at the end and a lot of gorgeous views along the way. The best time to go is in late summer or early fall, when its fairly dry. You will pass through a boggy area and during the wet season it could be practically impassable. Theres a pretty steep climb followed by a tricky descent, but once you get to the top you can see all the way to Oregon and the Saw Tooth Mountains!

Idaho's bike trails offer adventure and awesome views of the mountains, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls. The natural beauty is unsurpassed, and bike riders of all experience levels will love biking in this state. Just select the trail that is best suited to your experience level and enjoy the ride!