Bicycle the 'Route of the Hiawatha' trail in Montana, Idaho

For active breaks from traveling through the Inland Pacific Northwest, there are three must-do bicycle trails -- The Spokane River Centennial Trail, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and the Route of the Hiawatha Trail. All three are easily accessible from I-90.

The most majestic of the three is the Route of the Hiawatha Trail. Two years ago, a few of us RVers bicycled this immensely popular route, a 15-mile compacted gravel trail between the Pearson trailhead (elev. 3180) in Idaho and the East Portal trailhead (elev. 4147) in Montana.

Although bicyclists can travel round trip, most choose the shorter (3-4 hour) downhill experience and park at the East Portal, located about 2 miles off I-90 at the Taft Exit in Montana (5 miles east of Lookout Pass on the Idaho border) and take a shuttle bus back.

The downhill version begins at the East Portal of the very dark Taft Tunnel. Helmets and proper lighting equipment are required for all bikers.

(I was extremely glad I was wearing a strong helmet because immediately after emerging from the damp, 1.7 mile-long tunnel, my front wheel skidded sideways on a wet patch and down I went. Although I didn't know it at the time, I suffered a cracked rib when the handle bars slammed into my side. Thinking I only had been bruised, I went on to finish the ride.)

The trail has a 2% grade and travels through nine tunnels and across seven high steel trestles before reaching the Pearson trailhead.

The Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails Website tells us: "Along the trail, numerous interpretive signs provide information about the rich mining and railroad history in this scenic passage way through the spectacular Bitterroot Mountains, famous between 1911 and 1961 as the 'Route of the Hiawatha' on the Milwaukee Road between Illinois and Washington."

The Hiawatha trail is open through Oct. 2 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. During the peak season, June 27 -Sept. 5, the hours are extended to 5:30 PM (Pacific Daylight Time). Day use pass is $9 ($6 ages 6-13). All children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

The shuttle operates 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to approximately 4:15 p.m. through Sept. 11, with service on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 2. (On weekends from June 27-Sept. 5, a fifth run at the end of the day is added ... so the last departure from Pearson would be at 5:45 PM.)

For nearby campgrounds visit the Idaho Panhandle Nation Forests Web site. Or click here for a wide selection of books on camping in the Pacific Northwest.

Photos: Top: Views of the Route of the Hiawatha. (Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails). Middle: RVer Jimmy Smith bicycling through one of the nine tunnels on the 'Route of the Hiawatha. (Julianne Crane) Bottom: View from one of the seven high steel trestles. (Julianne Crane)