Explore the best rated trails in Lewiston, ID. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Ed Corkill Memorial River Trail and Pullman Riverwalk. With more than 9 trails covering 55 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Trail runs along the river from Julietta to Kendrick. Paved and flat. Runs by the wheat processing facility which was interesting as well. We did it twice for fun.
The total one way distance from just east of Moscow to the end in Bear Creek canyon is 16 miles and is entirely paved. It is really fun, despite being uphill from Moscow but there is a "summit" halfway and then it is downhill both ways... The one odd thing we found is that the vault toilets are on the trail and not necessarily at the trailhead. We figured that maybe this was done to minimize vandalism. Despite this trail paralleling the highway, it was still alot of fun.
However, since it has been a few years since the last review, please note that the gravelled section at the end of the trail in Bear Creek Canyon is washed out. The paved trail ends and then there is a 10' section of gravel and then a steep gully down to the weeds and creek side. There is a hiking path that has been pioneered but it is not rideable due to rocks, boulders, sloughing and debris. It also does not appear that the paved trail will ever be built further as the cost of just reestablishing the railbed is prohibitive.
The other reviews of this hike are many years old, so I thought an update was in order. We hike this trail at least once a month year round. The trail is 5.2 miles total out and back. It is a gravel/dirt surface and fairly flat. The trail goes through the Palouse River canyon with steep basalt walls. It is a dramatic change from surrounding hills. It is unusual not to see wildlife. We have seen deer, coyotes, eagles, hawks, ducks, geese, vultures and numerous small birds. Like many converted rail routes we have hiked there are several apple and plum trees. The trail ends where the railroad crossed the Palouse River. A tunnel is visible across the river, but is collapsed inside. The covered bridge that was further on burned a few years ago. There are several gates on trail to contain cattle which are rarely present. There is a nice parking area at the trailhead at the end of a dirt road. The signage could be better; use your GPS or just follow the road north past the scrapyard and gravel piles.
While short, this is a fantastic trail that I run and bike on all the time. I've rollerbladed on it too, although there are enough tree roots and other challenges that made rollerblading on it a one-time event.
I only bike this trail, when I want to go to Pullman for some reason and prefer to bike there rather than drive. I don't choose this trail to bike on for the scenery, because the Latah Trail between Moscow and Troy is a lot nicer. But I do like this trail a lot. While you are parallel to the highway, which isn't a big highway by any means, it's not as loud and intrusive as you might think.
My wife and I walked two thirds of the trail. Finding the trail was a little tricky. When we got to the trailhead there was no real sign identifying it, but it was obvious it was an abandoned rail road spur.
The trail bed is unimproved, but clear of weeds. It is a gradual slope following the Palouse River. We spotted what looked like a great swimming hole and commented about how nice it would have been to take a skinny dip there.
About halfway down the trail you come across another gate which did have a trail maker on it! A short distance down the trail from that gate, though, there is the remnants of an old bridge across a small gully. There is a sign there indicating the bridge is unsafe to cross, but there is a bypass path around that bridge.
The trail enters into a small canyon which is very scenic. There appears to be a road above the canyon, but we did not notice any traffic. Due to the time, though, we had to turn back.
As we reached the trailhead we met some high school boys who said they were going up to the swimming hole to take a dip. They did not appear to have swimming trunks. Later, we had to laugh about what it would have been like if they came across two people old enough to be their grandparents skinny dipping in that hole, or if we had gone just a little further and then came across them as they were skinny dipping.
I believe this old spur would have eventually lead to a covered bridge, but it is apparently on private property and cannot be accessed. I would hope that the conservatory would work with the county to arrange access to the covered bridge. It would make the trail much more attractive.
Previous descriptions still hold true. The path as it goes into Hellsgate Park is more of a campground path; okay pavement but narrower than the rest of the path. To cross Memorial Bridge it was a bit confusing as there are no signs for where to go. As long as you know that's where the path continues, you should be able to find it (on the north side of the Clearwater River, it's easiest to pick up the path on the west side of the bridge).
This trail has a bit everything, including views of the Palouse, a forested area, and bridges and tunnels. You can even park at Troy City Park and leave your car overnight if you only feel like bicycling one way. It will most likely be a destination trail once the Troy to Kendrick piece is complete.
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