If you’re interested in hiking in and around Coeur d’Alene, you’ll find an abundance of options awaiting you. This area is brimming with exhilarating trails that offer breathtaking views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the many surrounding bays. Whether you’re interested in a challenging hike, an overnight backpacking trip, or an easy day hike with historic highlights, you can find something in the area that suits your needs.
Pack your backpack, load into the car, and explore these top trails in the Coeur d’Alene area to get a well-rounded view of all that this locality has to offer. You may find that it’s difficult to take yourself back indoors once you’ve had a taste of Idaho’s natural beauty.
Tubbs Hill
Tubbs Hill is conveniently located on Lake Coeur d’Alene, jutting out majestically from downtown Coeur d’Alene. Covering 165 acres, this area features a 2-mile loop that begins in McEuen Park at the Harbor House trailhead. The length of this trail is deceiving. There are some steep and challenging areas along the trek that will likely slow you down. It’s generally best to allow around two hours for the whole loop.
You can find a number of fascinating sights along the trail including:
- Cougar Bay, featuring pilings that were once used for log rafts carrying lumber to mills in Coeur d’Alene.
- The foundation and fireplace that are the only remnants of the Corbin House, constructed in 1916.
- Concrete footings that were once part of a grandstand.
- Sanders Beach, where the first sawmill on Lake Coeur d’Alene once stood.
- Kidd Island, visible across the water.
- Ponderosa pine trees that are over 150 years old.
- Concrete footings from the sawmill that closed in 1929.
You’ll also view an abundance of trees and plant life, including kinnikinnick, thimbleberry, snowberry, serviceberry, myrtle pachistima, lichens, Douglas fir trees, ninebark, and grand fir. An informative brochure is available to help you identify all the highlights of this hike, so you can fully appreciate the beauty, diversity, and history of Tubbs Hill.
Mineral Ridge Trail
The Bureau of Land Management maintains this 3.3-mile loop. Located just 11 miles from Coeur d’Alene’s city center, this is a convenient destination for anyone living in the area. Along the trail, you’ll enjoy views of Coeur d’Alene Lake’s Beauty Bay and Wolf Lodge Bay.
Visit between November and February to witness the migrating population of as many as 150 majestic bald eagles. The eagles are drawn to the spawning kokanee salmon in the lake, which provide ample feeding opportunities. The peak of the migration typically happens between Christmas and New Year’s. An interpretive program hosted at that time provides a more in-depth look at these beautiful birds.
This trail is rated moderate to easy and features 22 markers that accompany information in the Mineral Ridge Trail Guide. The guide will help you locate and identify ponderosa pine, ocean-spray, Douglas fir, snowberry, wild rose, ninebark, and more. This is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an educational hike for scouts or other groups.
Canfield Mountain Trail System
This trail system is designed primarily for bicycles and motorized trail bikes. However, hikers are welcome as well. Bicyclists should yield to all others on the trail, and hikers should yield to motorized bikes. The system features over 25 miles of trails in all, which you can traverse via a number of unique routes. Trails in this system include:
- Trail 3: 0.5 miles with steep grades.
- Trail 4: 0.7 miles with moderate grades.
- Trail 5: 0.4 miles with the smallest elevation change in the trail system at 200 feet.
- Trail 6: 1.2 miles with mild grades.
- Trail 8: 3 miles with moderate to steep grades.
- Trail 9: 2.1 miles with moderate to steep grades.
- Trail 10: 2.9 miles with moderate to mild grades.
- Trail 11: 1.6 miles with mild grades.
- Trail A: 7.8 miles with mild grades.
- Trail B: 4.1 miles with mild grades.
- Trail D: 1.1 miles with mild to moderate grades.
Bernard Peak Trail
Located about 25 miles from Coeur d’Alene, the Bernard Peak Trail offers a picturesque hike that’s maintained by the Coeur d’Alene National Forest. You can camp along the trail in the Farragut State Park or on Bernard Peak. The Bernard Peak Trail is an out-and-back hike that totals 17.7 miles with an elevation gain of 3,156 feet. You may spot wildflowers in the abundant meadows along the trail as well as picturesque rock formations.
There are a few views of Lake Pend Oreille along the trail, but these are heavily filtered by trees. If you’re interested in majestically wooded views of the surrounding mountains, you’ll be pleased with what you find on this hike. There are a few creek crossings, but these are often dry depending on the weather.
Blue Creek Trail
The Blue Creek Trail in the Blue Creek Bay Recreation Area features a 1.5-mile out-and-back stretch that connects to a loop that’s a little under a mile, so you’ll traverse about 4 miles in total on this hike. The Blue Creek Trail crosses the E. Yellowstone Trail a little under a mile in. This hike includes some steep climbs that will give you a good workout.
This is an excellent choice if you’re interested in a shady walk, as the trail passes through a heavily wooded forest of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, western white pine, western hemlock, western red cedar, and western larch. You might spot woodpeckers, whitetail deer, wild turkeys, bears, and coyotes.
At the trailhead, you’ll find a boat launch and picnic area, so you can easily include a boating excursion or refreshing outdoor meal in your day’s adventures as well.
These are our favorite trails around the Coeur d’Alene area for a satisfying hike. Have you tried these treks? Perhaps you have other favorite hikes in the area to recommend. If we’ve missed a memorable hike around Coeur d’Alene, contact us at Wendle Ford and let us know so we can update our list and offer all our customers the best local suggestions for recreation.
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