North Idaho Centennial Trail. The question for the day is where to start, and the free TrailLink app (available in the Apple App store and on Google Play) is the best resource for your biking needs. You’ll find lots of useful information about parking, restrooms, and available water, along with routes and maps. It is invaluable, as there is often construction causing detours, and this app will keep you on track.
Starting at mile 0 at the Washington/Idaho border, make sure you go east. (To the west is the Liberty Lake Stateline Trail.) In a few minutes, there is a fork to the left that takes you under the interstate bridge onto the Spokane River Centennial Trail. However, do not take that; save it for another day. It spans close to 40 miles.
History 101: The Spokane River Centennial Trail was dedicated in 1989 to commemorate Washington’s 100th year as a state in 1889. Idaho’s was a year later. Much of the North Idaho Centennial Trail runs parallel to the Spokane River, and soon you will cross the river on the old Milwaukee Railroad (1910 vintage) bridge. Locals call this Gateway Bridge, and it has been updated with bright LED lights. The picturesque bridge is a lovely sight at night and can be seen from the interstate.
Several miles in, marvel at the deep canyon at Falls Park, and continue a little further on the trail; at the four-mile marker you can access the park. If you check out the observation deck at the North Channel Dam during the early summer, you are likely to get sprayed with water. Here is some more history for you: in 1871, German immigrant Frederick Post (the town’s namesake) established a dam and papermill. Sadly, the mill burned down in 1902. Today there are three dams in Post Falls, all owned by Avista Utilities for hydroelectric power and water distribution.
Water for the lakes in the summer! The spillway gates at Post Falls Dam are closed in the late spring or early summer; the water backs up to raise the entire interconnected system. This includes the nine-mile stretch of the Spokane River, the main body of Lake
Coeur d’Alene, and all the way back into the Chain Lakes near Medimont, Idaho. More on that later.
After this history lesson, bike another four miles to Spokane Street, and just off the trail there are many restaurants and places for coffee if you need to fuel up or grab a sandwich to go. Remember, the entire length of this trail is 23 miles.
Is it lunchtime? Not yet for us. Bike another seven miles and arrive at Riverstone Park, which is now in Coeur d’Alene (CDA). Lunch or snack along the Spokane River. There are a few detours at times to improve the trail, so make sure you have easy access to the
aforementioned app.
Continue a little further, and you will be pedaling along the vast and picturesque Lake Coeur d’Alene. The final seven miles along the lake to the destination at Higgens Point is the most scenic part of this ride. One word of caution. Most of the trail is flat except for the hill you need to climb before you drop down to Higgens Point. The hill is close to a 100-foot+ gain. If you don’t want to do it, you can always drive there later since it is a spot you don’t want to miss.
When done with the ride, I went into the main part of CDA and returned the bike at Coeur d’Alene Bike Co. Hungry and thirsty, we grabbed a pizza and brews at Back Pocket Bakery, which across the lot from the bike shop.
There are many other shorter biking trails in the city to choose from. The Prairie Trail is a paved trail that goes from Riverstone Park and is a little over 4 miles, close to the border of Post Falls. The plan is that the trail will extend west into Post Falls. Stay tuned.
If you are looking for more biking outside of Post Falls, go on the Trail of the Coeurd’Alenes. It is an hour drive from Post Falls, and the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway is special scenic car drive. This road twists around the eastern shore of the lake. The destination is Harrison, and if needed, you can grab a bike and some coffee at The Cycle Haus: Bikes & Brews. I highly recommend going east on the trail toward Medimont. It is paved and level, 10 miles one way, and passes by many lakes in the Chain Lakes region. One of the more scenic bike rides that I have done. Make sure you have your phone charged and on airplane mode. There is no cell coverage in this remote area. But – keep your phone or your camera handy for pics of the beautiful scenery and the likely sighting of a moose who is known to greet riders as they go by!
If you are looking for a biking guide or advice on any trails in the area, email Rick Shaffer at walllacepm56@gmail.com. He is an expert on the Northern Idaho biking trails and is always happy to help.
So many excellent dining options in Post Falls, and so little time! If one is picking one restaurant, then the Republic Kitchen and Taphouse is the go-to place. The restaurant is part of the Eat Good Group, which operates several restaurants and is focused on the Inland Northwest. Adam Hegsted is the founder and head chef. He started the company in 2013 and has received many prestigious honors and awards.
The Republic Kitchen and Taphouse is right off the bike trail and a short distance from our hotel, Hyatt Place Post Falls/Coeur d’Alene. The restaurant is in a house built in 1910, called the “Samuel and Ann Young House.” This is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (the only one in Post Falls). In 2016, brothers Mark and Tom Latham restored the building and the lovely garden patio. Shortly thereafter they teamed up with restaurateur Adam Hegsted
We enjoyed sitting in the patio garden on this fine fall day. For starters, we split the Northwest Salad and loved the huckleberry vinaigrette with roasted beets, walnuts, and goat cheese. For the main course, I had the Blackened Salmon that was seared to perfection and topped with pickled jalapeños, giving just the right kick. Along with the salmon was carrot slaw and fresh asparagus. Elizabeth enjoyed the Republic Chicken Mole – tender, succulent chicken in a delicious mole sauce of chilis and cocoa. The server asked us if we wanted dessert. We were really tempted but no way. In fact, this late lunch was enough to hold us over till the next day’s breakfast.
Post Falls Brewing Company was a great place to sample some beer after the long bike ride. Owners and brewers Dan Stokes and Alex Sylvain have been running the brewery for 10 years. The taproom and brewery are very comfortable and a welcoming place to enjoy your favorite brew, or try a beer flight. I ordered five lighter-style beers. My favorites were Me Marzen, You Jane, and I always like the Germany style beers. The Ocean Man Pineapple Wheat- you say, “What? Pineapple?” The pineapple flavor note gave this beer a refreshing zing! Elizabeth was thrilled to list five different IPAs for her flight! They were all very distinct, but her favorite was the Constant Distraction – hearty and full bodied. They also now have a tasting room in CDA.
If we lived in the area, this would be our favorite brewery to meet up with our friends. After the beer tasting, we walked back to our hotel, the Hyatt Place Post Falls/Coeur d’Alene in Post Falls. We really enjoyed our bright and spacious room, which was close to restaurants, bike trails, and easy freeway access. This made for a great base while we explored the Greater Post Falls area.
Story Written by Michael and Elizabeth Fagin
