Bike It!
Relish the ride. Sandpoint has MTB trails for all skill levels
Extensive, and growing, trail systems are designed specifically for mountain biking and provide days of riding for all abilities.
Biking year 'round here!
Our mountains have your number. If MTB is your jam, terrific trails await, with two significant trail systems at Schweitzer and Pine Street Woods, and a growing number of other bike-designed trails around the region.
MTB Schweitzer Mountain. Schweitzer and the adjacent Selkirk Recreation District have a terrific – and growing – 30-trail system for mountain bikers. Many afford outstanding lake views to complement the heart-pumping climbs and descents. See maps at Schweitzer.com.
MTB Pine Street Woods. The Kaniksu Land Trust provides the new Pine Street Woods trail system, plus helps maintain oversight for the adjacent Sherwood Forest and VTT systems, with more than 20 rides ranging from easy to expert. The woods are barely two miles from downtown Sandpoint and many start their rides right from town. See maps on Kaniksu.org.
Other trails. There are many excellent single track rides developed on Forest Service trails and maintained with the help of volunteer rider groups. Notable rides are Gold Hill, 2.9 miles uphill to a fine viewpoint, and potential connection to additional trails; the Lost Lake-Mineral Point trails with various loops comprising 10 miles or more in scalable difficulty. Thirty to 60 minutes north, excellent trails include Brush Lake, with a fine moderately easy six-mile loop; Section 16, with 11 miles of gently rolling and non-technical rides; and gorgeous trails (with a steep climb to start) at Enchanted Forest. Get more details on these rides below.
Mountain Biking Trails
The Gold Hill Trail is one of the most popular for local hikers and mountain bikers, a 3.7-mile track that can be moderate or strenuous – depending on whether you hike or ride it up or down, or as most do, both ways.
If you are ready to enjoy all the adventure and scenic outdoor recreation that the Sandpoint, Idaho area offers, this is one trail that you don’t want to miss for a terrific hike or bike ride.
The trail leads uphill through a forested setting to panoramic northwest-facing views of Sandpoint across Lake Pend Oreille with the Selkirk Mountains behind.
Most start at the trailhead on Bottle Bay Road, about 8 miles south of Sandpoint; navigate to the trailhead parking by the Google map. It is possible to circle around by forest roads and access the trail up near the viewpoints.
Many mountain bikers do this as an out-and-back, starting at the trailhead for the uphill singletrack. However, some ride an extended route at the top of Trail 3, to include Gold Mountain and forest roads. Or, to make a full day that includes miles on paved and gravel backroads you can include the trail as part of an approximately 28-mile loop right from Sandpoint itself riding to the trailhead via the Long Bridge bike and pedestrian route.
This is mountain hiking and biking at its best in the Pacific Northwest!
Click for USFS trail map and details: Forest Service Gold Hill Trail No. 3.
Click for extended route details: MTB Project Gold Hill Trail No. 3.
Looking for a fun and adventurous way to take in the fresh mountain air and beautiful views? Whether you’re a hiker or biker, Schweitzer offers more than 20 miles of trails with amazing alpine scenery and see-forever views.
Start in the village and warm your legs up as you head out to Picnic Point – with only minor climbing – to take in the sweeping views of the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille. From there, your options are wide open. For those looking for a pure downhill biking thrills, Schweitzer has many intermediate to expert options with a chairlift assist to the top; all downhill trails begin at the top of the Great Escape Quad and descend 1700 feet to the Schweitzer Village.
Pick up detailed trail maps in the village, or click for the map below. Mountain bike and e-bike rentals are available in the village.
Click for Schweitzer trails map»
Click for all Schweitzer activities»
Here’s an ride or walk about 14 miles from Sandpoint that provides big views of the southern arm of Lake Pend Oreille, with swimming at the fine cobblestone beach at Green Bay, where there is a campground and day use area. One segment of the single track trails for mountain bikers and hikers is an easier loop around Lost Lake, while the Mineral Point trail itself provides a more challenging – but doable – ride for beginners, with outstanding views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Green Monarchs. The trail is popular with both hikers and bikers, so bikers are advised to ride carefully.
Mineral Point Trail has two main trailheads. You may start at Green Bay, from whence you’ll immediately climb up the bluffs above the lake with magnificent views across the lake to the Green Monarchs. There’s a 2.1 mile hike or ride to the second access point, which also provides the trailhead to the roughly six miles of Lost Lake trails. Get map and details for Forest Service Mineral Point Trail No. 82.
To the trailhead: From Sandpoint, drive six miles south on Highway 95 to Sagle, and turn east onto Sagle Road. Continue a bit more than six miles to the junction where Garfield Bay Road forks to the right and continue another roughly two miles to the waterfront village of Garfield Bay. There’s a small park in Garfield Bay; to make this ride longer, we suggest parking there in Garfield Bay and starting your ride on the backroads there. From Garfield Bay Road, find Green Bay Cutoff Road, which proceeds north. The cutoff will quickly become a gravel road; go about .4 mile and turn right onto the Mineral Point Road No. 532 (next to the red firehouse) and ride 2.2 miles on Road 532, and turn right for 0.3 miles the Mineral Point trailhead. The trail will then take you on 2.1 miles of singletrack high along the lakeshore, dropping down to the Green Bay campground and beach, a great place to stop for a swim or to hang along the lake. To complete the loop, ride back up the steep access road from the campground back to Mineral Point Road, then back to Garfield Bay.
Trail particulars: There is only about 400 feet of elevation gain and loss but you’ll hike or ride it up and down several times. Water and toilets are available at Green Bay. At the trailhead for Mineral Point Trail there is a vault toilet.
Trail map: Click to see the map.
Priest Lake is an ideal year-round family and adventure vacation destination. Nature’s spectacular backdrop coupled with the myriad of recreational activities make Priest Lake an unforgettable experience. Discover Idaho’s crown jewel while enjoying biking, golfing, fishing, rock climbing or snowmobiling and choose to stay in any of our hospitable resorts, cabins or vacation homes for an upcoming group activity, wedding, conference or seminar location for a vacation that will only tempt you to stay longer.
Schweitzer, our premier mountain resort, is justifiably famous for its outstanding skiing and snowboarding. But those winter prime-time months aside, the other seasons offer a plethora of attractions for visitors.
Just strolling around the mountain village yields amazing views from the rarified vantage of the alpine environment. More than 20 miles of trails for hikers and bikers offer wonderful vantage points for the see-forever views.
Chairlift rides operate during the summer season – which typically kicks off mid-June – for the ultimate in viewpoints atop Schweitzer peak itself. And right at the peak is the magnificent Sky House restaurant and day lodge.
In the village area are a plethora of activities, including a zip line, climbing structure and mountain bike rentals, including e-bikes. Horseback rides with a local outfitter are also available.
Schweitzer offers variety of events during the summer season, stretching into fall. Get all the details on activities, events, dining and lodging on the mountain at Schweitzer.com.