Biking the Centennial Trail – The Coeur d’Alene Resort
If you’re looking to take in all the beauty of Idaho, the North Idaho Centennial Trail is the perfect tour guide.
The Centennial Trail runs 23 miles, from the Idaho/Washington state border to Higgins Point on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and gives walkers, joggers and bikers a chance to tour the area.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort sits right between miles 15 and 16 of the trail in the heart of downtown, and is the perfect starting point to bike the Centennial Trail.
The trail system is simple to use, whether you bring your own bikes or rent them in town. But before you hop out there and start peddling, here are a few quick tips for the ride.
About the trail:The Centennial Trail is free and open to the public. Bikers, walkers and joggers can hop on the trail anywhere along the 24-mile stretch.
Keep in mind this trail is a mix of class 1 and class 2 trails. This means that in some spots, the paved trail is separate from the road (class 1) while in other spots, the trail runs alongside a road (class 2).
Getting started: The trail is fairly easy to navigate, but if you’d like a map of the system — or anything else in Coeur d’Alene — stop by the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce office. Outside, there are tons of free maps, from the Centennial Trail system to the best burgers in town.
Many cyclists bring their own bikes, as Coeur d’Alene is a very bike-friendly town. If you’re looking to rent a bike, check out Coeur d’Alene Bike Co., located at 314 N. Third St. They have rentals for four hours, a full day, and multi-day; cycle styles include road and mountain bikes, electric assist cycles and even tandem bikes!
The Resort is situated in the middle of the trail. It’s the perfect starting point for a ride — head east, and travel the eight miles to Higgins Point, or head west for 15 miles to the Washington state line. If you head to Higgins Point, you’ll first go through McEuen Park, directly east of The Resort. There are two paths here — make sure you take the path for bikers and joggers.
Riding with history: The Centennial Trail is more than a paved path — the system is part of the Rails to Trails program, which converts former railroad tracks to paved trails. The trail was finished in 1990, and the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation continues to update the trail system.
Grab a sip: One of the most unique sights on the trail is the hand pump, located near the trail at the western end. The hand pump, which sits about 400 yards off the trail in a field near the Washington boarder, is easy to use. It pulls water up from the local aquifer, and is safe to drink if you need to refill your water bottles. Kids will love playing with this piece of history, and you’ll love being able to refresh before heading back home.
Finish with a bite: Once you get back to The Resort, you’ll have really worked up an appetite! Check out some of the restaurants in The Resort, or pop over to The Shoppes, where you’ll find everything from coffee to pasta. Reward yourself after all that hard work!
Check out the pedal-powered pub: When the chain comes off, it’s time to have fun! The Coeur d’Alene Taphouse Unchained is a uniquely situated cycling-themed bar, located near the famous Centennial Bike Trail in downtown Coeur d’Alene. With 24 microbrews and ciders on tap, a full service bar and a cycling-friendly menu, it’s open to all cyclists, hikers, beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts.
This family-friendly Taphouse even features a Margarita Bike that’s connected to a blender! Guests ordering a House Margaritas or Blended Drink are invited to climb on the bike which powers the blender, which mixes the Margarita, that’s poured in the glass. You pedal, you drink. It’s simple. Find out more about The Taphouse Unchained here!
