The best cycling routes around Mullan

Mullan, Idaho, offers a diverse range of touring cycling routes, primarily featuring scenic rail-trails and mountain landscapes. You'll find everything from easy, paved paths with gradual downhill slopes to more challenging routes with significant elevation changes, gravel sections, and even some logging roads. The area is known for its lush evergreen forests, river views, and dramatic mountain scenery.

Yes, Mullan is an excellent starting point for family-friendly cycling. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, for instance, offers a particularly easy section from Mullan westward towards Wallace, with a gentle downhill slope. Another popular option, though requiring a shuttle, is the Route of the Hiawatha, a 15-mile, family-friendly, downhill rail-trail featuring tunnels and trestles.

The best season for touring cycling in Mullan is typically from late spring through early fall. The Route of the Hiawatha, a major draw, is usually open seasonally from May to September. During these months, you can expect more favorable weather conditions, making for a more enjoyable experience on both paved and gravel trails.

While many routes are linear rail-trails, the region does offer circular options. The Lookout/Mullan Pass Loop, for example, provides a blend of paved trails, single track, and logging roads, offering a loop experience with significant climbs and scenic views. For a shorter, easier loop, consider the Bike loop from Agivey, which is 7.1 km long and takes about 25 minutes.

Cycling around Mullan offers breathtaking views of the Bitterroot Mountains and the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Along trails like the Route of the Hiawatha, you'll encounter sky-high trestles offering panoramic vistas and deep river canyons. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes provides views of the Coeur d'Alene River and forested mountains. The area is rich with lush evergreen forests, aquamarine rivers, and serene lakes.

Absolutely. Mullan offers several easy touring cycling routes. The section of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes from Mullan to Wallace is known for its gradual downhill slope, making it very accessible. Additionally, komoot users have rated routes like The Boatyard Coffee Shop – View of the River loop from Causeway Hospital as easy, offering a relatively flat ride over 26.4 km.

Mullan is steeped in mining history. You can learn about the region's past at the Captain John Mullan Museum in Mullan. The Mullan Road Historic Site, near 4th of July Pass, preserves remnants of the 1861 military wagon road, which can now be explored as a hiking trail. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes itself follows a historic rail line, offering glimpses into the Silver Valley's heritage.

Yes, many routes in the Mullan area traverse dense forested areas, providing a sense of solitude and natural beauty. The Garvagh Forest Trails – Garvagh Forest Red Trail loop from Garvagh is a moderate 31.9 km route that leads through thick woodlands, often completed in under three hours. The Idaho Panhandle National Forests surrounding Mullan ensure that many trails offer a secluded, forested experience.

The touring cycling routes around Mullan are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars from 3 reviews. More than 40 touring cyclists have used komoot to explore Mullan's varied terrain, often praising the diverse rail-trails, stunning mountain landscapes, and the overall natural beauty of the region.

For cyclists seeking a challenge, Mullan offers routes with significant elevation gain. The Lookout/Mullan Pass Loop involves a substantial climb of 2495 feet, combining paved trails, single track, and logging roads. Another route, Garvagh Pyramid – Garvagh Forest Trails loop from Garvagh, is rated as difficult, covering 41.5 km with over 700 meters of ascent through forested areas.

While specific public transport options directly to trailheads in Mullan might be limited, shuttle services are available for certain popular routes. For instance, the Route of the Hiawatha offers shuttle services to transport cyclists and their bikes back to the top, making the downhill ride more accessible. It's advisable to check local transport and shuttle schedules when planning your trip.

The touring cycling routes around Mullan feature a variety of surfaces. Many popular rail-trails, like the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, are paved, offering a smooth ride. Other trails, such as the Route of the Hiawatha, have a crushed stone surface. More adventurous routes like the Route of the Olympian or sections of the Lookout/Mullan Pass Loop may include gravel and logging roads, providing a more rugged experience.