Quick Facts
Total Route Length
277 Miles
Total Elevation Gain
5,737 Feet
Amount Unpaved
70%
The Bitterroot 300K combines many of Northern Idaho’s rail trails into a large loop. The true Bitterroot 300K, as described by the Friends of the CDA Trail, features a two-night, three-day, 177-mile loop linking the Trail of the Coeur D’Alenes, Norpac Trail, Hiawatha, the Old Milwaukee Trail, and the Milwaukee Scenic Alternate Trail. Their route has you start in Wallace, ID and spend a night at the Pines Motel in Saint Maries to take advantage of a shuttle that cuts out a busy highway between Saint Maries and Plummer.
With many possible starting points and abundant options for camping/hotels along almost every section of the trail, the Bitterroot Loop is amenable to many itineraries. The trail can be ridden both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Many riders consider adding a starting and/or ending point in Spokane, WA or Coeur D’Alene, ID (both will require steeper hills than those found on the actual trail). Another great option is to add the 30-mile Route of the Olympians which follows the Saint Regis river from Taft, MT (the entry/exit point of the Hiawatha) down to Saint Regis.
Resources and Trip Reports
Leave a Reply