Mountains, Wetlands, Lakes, and One Epic Bridge – Ride Idaho’s Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes

Mountains, Wetlands, Lakes, and One Epic Bridge – Ride Idaho’s Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes

Spanning 73 miles through the heart of northern Idaho, the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes offers one of the most scenic and serene rides in the country. Following a historic rail line, the fully paved path winds past mountain towns, glassy lakes, quiet wetlands, and wide-open valleys. But it’s more than just a pretty ride—this trail is a powerful story of environmental recovery. Once contaminated by over a century of mining, the corridor was sealed and transformed into a rail trail masterpiece.

During our ride, we cruised through peaceful wetlands dotted with bright pink water lilies, checked out busy beaver lodges, and even caught a glimpse of a moose! We also spotted an exciting wetlands restoration project underway nearby, and it’s wonderful to see how the area is being cared for. We can’t wait to come back and see the progress. Our adventure wrapped up with the amazing Chatcolet Bridge, where the trail stretches high over Lake Coeur d’Alene with views that truly take your breath away

🚴 Ride date: July, 2025
Trail map: https://friendsofcdatrails.org/interactive-map/
Pronunciation: https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/arts-culture/2022-10-25/how-do-you-pronounce-boise-coeur-dalene-kootenai

👇 Trail Highlights:
Mullan Trailhead – The eastern gateway to the trail and the highest point, rich with mining history.
Wallace – A historic silver mining town full of charm and known as the “Center of the Universe.”
Cave Lake Wayside – A peaceful stop with picnic spots and beautiful views.
Medimont to Harrison Stretch – Quiet lakeshore riding with lots of birds and nature to enjoy.
Harrison – A friendly town with a marina, camping, and restaurants just off the trail.
Heyburn State Park – Idaho’s oldest state park, offering wetlands, wildlife, and great lake views.
Chatcolet Bridge – A stunning bridge ride over Lake Coeur d’Alene, perfect for photos and wildlife spotting.
Plummer Trailhead – The western end of the trail, on tribal lands with convenient parking.

👉Next, head over to our channel to watch the full informational video on the Coeur d’Alenes Trail, or if you want to just ride along with no commentary, check our our ASMR trail video on the trail.

#biking #ebike #explore #idaho #coeurdalene #trail #stateparks #nationalpark #railstotrails #familyfun

Resource credit for creating this video:
Maps: Google Earth and Google Maps
Research, maps, and pictures on plaques we saw along the trail;
Coeur d’Alenes tribe and lawsuit: https://idahobusinessreview.com/2021/03/22/what-80-years-of-mining-did-to-lake-coeur-dalene/
Lawsuit: https://www.elr.info/sites/default/files/doj-consent-decrees/r_douglas_mining_company_cdfinal.pdf
Mining pictures: https://www.shraboise.com/2015/01/11215-coeur-dalene-mining-pollution/
Ferry boat information and pictures: https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/barstock/items/barstock1152.html and https://spokanehistorical.org/files/show/4392
Chatcolet Bridge information: https://phoenixco.com/product/chatcolet-bridge-lifting-structure/
https://www.gazetterecord.com/news/article_6da93d8a-60bf-11eb-9132-233ec3faafc2.html
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/reedsport/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Former_UP_swing_bridge_over_Lake_Coeur_d%27Alene,_elevated_for_use_in_bike_trail_%282013%29.jpg
Train crossing bridge: https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/17257?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Versitech, L.L.C
By watching this video, you acknowledge that content produced by the “travlinfam” YouTube channel is for entertainment purposes only. You should construe statements contained on this channel as entertainment, and should not take them to promote any particular trail, park, or area. Always consult the trail’s official website for current trail conditions and recommended routes. Road/trail conditions vary, and change frequently after the production of a video, and any route you take based upon the information provided by the “travlinfam” YouTube channel is taken at your own risk.