Route of the Hiawatha
Historic Route · Avery, Idaho
Fifteen miles of the old Milwaukee Road railway across the Bitterroot Mountains, converted to a bike and walking trail with ten tunnels and seven high trestles still in place. It begins by going straight through the St. Paul Pass Tunnel - the Taft Tunnel - which is a mile and two thirds long, unlit, wet and about four degrees Celsius in August. From there it is a gentle continuous descent on a railway grade, which is why children ride it, and a shuttle brings you back to the top.
Pearson Trailhead, Avery, Idaho, 83802, United States
⚠ STRICTLY SEASONAL, roughly MAY TO SEPTEMBER, and the opening date depends on snow clearing rather than the calendar - it has opened in June in heavy years. CLOSED THROUGH THE WINTER. ⚠ THE TRAILHEAD, TICKET OFFICE, SHUTTLE AND HIRE ARE AT LOOKOUT PASS SKI AND RECREATION AREA, I-90 EXIT 0, ON THE IDAHO-MONTANA STATE LINE - the trail is mostly in Idaho but you start from the Montana side, and navigating to the Idaho end is the common mistake. A TRAIL PASS IS REQUIRED AND THE SHUTTLE IS A SEPARATE TICKET. ⚠ FEDERAL PASSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED - this is a concession operation on Forest Service land. Helmets and lights are required; both can be hired. Check the current dog rule before planning around it.
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