Great American Rail-Trail®: Highlights of America’s First Cross-Country, Multiuse Trail

Based in Washington, DC, Rails to Trails Conservancy is a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to converting former railroad corridors to public, multiuse recreational trails that offer easy access to runners, hikers, bicyclists, skaters, wheelchair users, and equestrians. It serves as the national voice for a grassroots community more than a million strong, more than 25,000 miles of open rail-trails across the country, and more than 5,000 miles of potential trails waiting to be built—with a goal of ensuring a better future for America made possible by trails and the connections they inspire.

Idaho: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes

• Counties: Benewah, Kootenai, Shoshone
• Endpoints: River St./Bus. Loop I-90 and N. Second St. (Mullan); Annie Antelope Road, 350 feet west of US 95 (Plummer)
• Mileage: 71.8; 71.8 on Great American
• Type: Rail-Trail
• Roughness Rating: 1
• Surface: Asphalt

An inductee into Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame, the spectacular Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is one of the most scenic stretches of the Great American Rail-Trail and is one of the route’s 12 iconic gateway trails (see page 3). It offers a nearly 72-mile ribbon of smooth asphalt stretching across the Idaho Panhandle. Following the former Union Pacific Railroad corridor, the trail traverses a landscape as diverse as it is beautiful: alpine lakes, wetlands teeming with wildlife, former mining towns, and forested river valleys.

All types of trail users will appreciate the gentle grades and excellent maintenance. Services and amenities are available in several trail towns, and shuttle options make it easy to plan point-to-point excursions. With minimal elevation changes overall on the east and west ends, and a mostly remote feel, the trail is ideal for multiday bike-packing adventures, scenic day rides, or leisurely strolls. In winter, snowmobiles are also allowed from Wallace to Mullan.

Starting at the eastern terminus in Mullan, where the trail connects with the NorPac Trail (see page 213), the trail gently descends from the Bitterroot Mountains. In 6.9 miles, when you reach Sixth Street in Wallace, on the north side of town, you could turn left along the street (going under I-90) to head into Wallace, a town packed with character, some delicious food stops, and quirky attractions, including a museum housed in a former brothel.

Continuing westward, the trail glides through the Silver Valley, once one of the richest silver-mining districts in the world. Interpretive signs along the way recount the area’s mining legacy and environmental recovery. This stretch is part of a remarkable transformation story: The trail was built to contain mining waste, turning a Superfund site into a beloved recreational corridor. Much of the trail runs beside the Coeur d’Alene River, threading through beaver ponds and bird-filled wetlands. Wildlife is abundant in the region; moose, bald eagles, ospreys, and herons are often seen here, especially in the Chain Lakes region.

In 10.9 miles, you’ll run right through the heart of Kellogg with plentiful options to hop off the trail for refreshments. Leaving town, it’s 11.7 miles to the smaller community of Cataldo, where you can take a worthwhile side trip of 3.6 miles to Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park and its Cataldo Mission, Idaho’s oldest building. To reach this attraction: From the Cataldo Trailhead, head west on Riverview Road/East Canyon Road; in 2.2 miles, take a left on Mission Road, which will take you into the park in another 1.4 miles.

Back on the trail, it’s 16.2 miles from Cataldo to Medimont on the north shore of Cave Lake. From the Medimont Trailhead, it’s 10.4 miles to Harrison on the southeastern edge of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The lakeside town is an excellent place to grab a meal or ice cream, especially during the warmer months, when the marina and waterfront park are lively with activity.

From the Harrison Trailhead, it’s 6.8 miles to one of the most striking features of the trail: the Chatcolet Bridge, a converted rail trestle spanning the southern tip of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Originally constructed to connect the Silver Valley mines with Plummer, the bridge once carried Union Pacific trains hauling silver and lead across the lake. The initial wooden trestle was replaced in 1921 by a swing-span bridge to accommodate both rail and boat traffic. Today, the rotating section has been fixed in place and elevated, allowing continued boat passage beneath while serving trail users above. The Chatcolet Bridge now features a gently arched span and stepped incline, which makes for easier wheelchair access. Its elevation provides panoramic views of the lake and surrounding forested hills, making it a favorite stop for photos.

On the other side of the bridge, you’ll traverse Heyburn State Park with its towering pines and wetland boardwalks, then enter the Coeur d’Alene Reservation. The trail ends in Plummer at a trailhead on Annie Antelope Road.

Contact: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/state-park/trail-of-the coeur-dalenes and friendsofcdatrails.org

The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is managed, operated, and maintained by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and Coeur d’Alenes Old Mission State Park.

Parking

Parking areas are listed from east to west. Select parking areas for the trail are listed below; for a detailed list of parking areas and other waypoints, consult TrailLink. *Indicates that at least one accessible parking space is available.

Mullan*: Mullan Trailhead, Third St. and Fisher St. (47.4692, -115.8002).

Wallace*: Historic Wallace Trailhead, under I-90, 300 feet north of Pine St. and Sixth St. (47.4740, -115.9236).

Kellogg: W. Station Ave. and S. Division St. (47.5365, -116.1219).

Pinehurst: Pinehurst Trailhead, Old Hwy. 10, 0.4 mile north of I-90 Exit 45 (47.5492, -116.2240).

Kingston*: Enaville Trailhead, Coeur d’Alene River Road, 230 feet northeast of Pipe Line Road (47.5601, -116.2515).

Cataldo*: Cataldo Trailhead, 40052 Riverview Road (47.5487, -116.3299).

Rose Lake: Bull Run Trailhead, Brewer Road and S. Bull Run Road (47.5343, -116.4754).

Medimont: Medimont Trailhead, S. Medimont Road and S. Ruddy Duck Road (47.4753, -116.6019).

Plummer: Chatcolet Bridge, Chatcolet Lower Road and Upper Chatcolet Road (47.3740, -116.7626).

Plummer*: Coeur d’Alene Tribe Warriors and Veterans Memorial, Annie Antelope Road, 350 feet west of US 95 (47.3408, -116.8903).