7 Trails In Idaho With An Undeniably Amazing Final Destination
There’s no doubt that Idaho is an outdoor lover’s paradise, and our hiking trails showcase our state’s finest natural beauty. We’re lucky enough to have hundreds of amazing trails scattered throughout the state, and these are a few that are so full of stunning scenery along the way and as a final destination, they’ll make you especially thankful to be an Idahoan.
This oasis in the middle of a sagebrush desert is completely unexpected as far as final destinations go. It's an old volcano - a caldera rim, and as soon as you start the hike, you'll feel the air change and see the landscape transform into that of a mountain valley. Plenty of pine trees on the hillsides and a beautiful meadow at the bottom is surrounded by thick aspen trees. The base of the rim is surrounded with massive boulders that are great for scrambling if you care to explore. And the path? About as easy of a hike as it gets.
Location: 44°15'50.1"N 111°49'19.8"W
Location: 44°15'50.1"N 111°49'19.8"W
One of the closest and nicest hikes adjacent to Sandpoint, the Mickinnick is a challenging trail favorite that rises more than 2,000 feet in 3.5-miles. But the round trip effort is definitely worth it, offering spectacular views as you climb through big granite formations and open forests, intermingling with spring-summer wildflowers. On warm summer days, the east-facing aspect of the trail makes it more user-friendly in the afternoon. The trail ends on a rocky knob with a breathtaking view of Sandpoint, the Long Bridge, the Cabinet Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille.
Location: Trailhead at approximately 400 Woodland Dr.
Location: Trailhead at approximately 400 Woodland Dr.
Buried deep into the trees near Loon Lake, the remnants of this war plane have been seemingly left to decay by the forces of nature. However, the true story behind this plane crash - one of survival and determination - is worth the long, but beautiful, hike to get here.
Location: More info and directions
Location: More info and directions
For a splendid hike that meanders creekside, crosses quaint wood bridges, and leads to two of the most spectacular mountain lakes in Eastern Idaho, the Palisades Creek Trail is an absolutely gorgeous journey that caters to every ability. While the 15-mile roundtrip hike to both lakes is too strenuous for some, the four-mile hike to the lower lake is worth its own trip. Or, for the Idahoan with extra stamina, another few miles will take you to an epic waterfall canyon.
Location: More info and directions
Location: More info and directions
Rugged, rocky, and full of overlooked beauty - including multiple alpine lakes and stunning panoramic views - hiking to each of Idaho's Seven Devils is quite the accomplishment, but well worth every step. You'll be rewarded with a bird's-eye view of the magnificent Hells Canyon (which is deeper than the Grand Canyon), as well as have multiple opportunities to branch off and explore hidden lakes within the mountain range's recesses: the Canon Lakes, are especially vivid!
More info and directions
More info and directions
The Boise National Forest is surprisingly full of excellent hiking trails with Crooked River, north of Idaho City, being an awesome place to start that gets you out out of the metro foothills and into the trees. The trail is well-maintained for the first five miles while it follows the river, but contains some rough patches as you get deeper into the mature forest. Sandy beaches, rock outcrops, and steep canyon walls all add to the hike’s beauty. Your ending point? I think the better question is, "why stop?" Or, at 1.3 miles, a bridge spanning the Crooked River makes a gorgeous overlook for families.
Location: From Idaho City, drive north on Hightway 21 for 17 miles and turn right on FR 384. Drive 1.1 miles on the dirt road to a signed trailhead on the south side of the road.
Location: From Idaho City, drive north on Hightway 21 for 17 miles and turn right on FR 384. Drive 1.1 miles on the dirt road to a signed trailhead on the south side of the road.
7. Stevens Peak
You’ll definitely want to watch this video on HD! This North Idaho favorite doesn’t really need explaining, does it? Just look at that view! 2.5 miles south of the town of Mullan and I-90, you’ll find the summit to be just as fabulous of a final destination as the pristine Stevens Lakes.
Idaho has hundreds of thousands of miles of trails to choose from – you can’t go wrong in the Gem State!
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