Route of the Hiawatha opens Friday

TAFT, MONT. – One of the area’s greatest outdoor attractions is set to open this week.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area announced Monday that the Route of the Hiawatha scenic mountain bike trail will open on May 22 and remain open 7-days-a-week until September 20.

“America’s greatest adventure begins high atop the Bitterroot Mountains along the Idaho/Montana border when you enter the long, dark and massive 1.66 mile long St. Paul/Taft Tunnel, built in 1908!” The release explained. “When you emerge, you follow the historic rail trail which incorporates; 10 cavernous train tunnels and crosses 7 sky-high trestles. Riders and hikers will venture past sparkling mountain creeks; encounter deer, elk and moose; and enjoy endless views of the towering ID-MT Bitterroots.”

The trail is located roughly 2 miles southwest of Taft, Montana, and garners attention from all across America and the globe. Guests access the trail by first visiting Lookout Pass Ski Area, located off I-90 at exit 0 on the Idaho/Montana stateline. Here they pick up trail passes, rental bikes, helmets, bright lights, maps, water and snacks, before traveling five miles east to Exit #5 in Taft. From here it’s another two miles up a dirt road to the Trailhead where your first order of business is to pedal through the longest of the tunnels- the St. Paul / Taft Tunnel.

Lookout Pass says that the trail has been described as “The Crown Jewell of Rail-to-Trail Conservation in the Country,” and was chosen as a USA Today Top Ten Pick as well as being an inaugural inductee into the Rail-to-Trail Hall of Fame.

“This all downhill ride is appropriate for individuals and families of all ages. Children ages 5 and up, who know how to ride a bike, have indeed finished this trail on fixed speed bicycles with small tires – no small feat, but then again they are young.”

The 15 mile ride from Taft, Mont. to Pearson, Idaho, is entirely downhill and Shuttle buses are available at the end to transport riders and their bikes back to the top,

For more information, visit www.RideTheHiawatha.com or call 208-744-1301.

Lookout Pass understands these are trying times for some, “yet people desperately want to get outside and enjoy nature and our beautiful surroundings with their family.”

“We want you to know what our plan of action is regarding COVID-19 & what we expect of our guests. We all want to enjoy the trail in the safest way possible. Please review our COVID-19 plan here as we all have to do our part to insure we continue to recreate responsibly www.RideTheHiawatha.com/Covid-19.”

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation area operates the Route of the Hiawatha under a special use permit from the USFS.