Find the top rated birding trails in Lewiston, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Attempted to ride from the trail end in Pullman, WA to Moscow, ID. The experience was super disappointing. Cracks in the asphalt (bitumen) surface are so numerous and so big and so poorly patched that it's completely unusable as a transportation corridor. By numerous, I mean cracks every 3 to 20 meters for the length of the part I rode. And anywhere from 5 cm to 15 cm wide across for the width of the trail. And deep.
The trail isn't practical for bicycle commuting because the cracks make traveling at an efficient speed difficult. I spent so much time focusing on the cracks and standing in the pedals to dampen the shocks that I could never focus on anything else or gain any speed. And they would be absolutely damaging to the wheels of a bike loaded with groceries. I suppose an ebike with large low pressure tires wouldn't be affected too badly, but that's an exception to what most cyclists use.
I gave up and turned around after less than 4 km. Two star because it's still a nice walking/jogging trail.
The trail from the Clearwater bridge to Hells Gate SP is my review area. The State Park reminded me that all the fees they charge for upkeep on their beautiful park. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Goatheads ( puncture vine, ground weed with yellow flowers ) that will ruin most a bicyclist day and the trail gets considerably narrower in the SP. Just wish the Rangers @ the State Park rode bicycles too!
I completed this trail from end to end and it is a nice, short trail for an easy ride. The issue that I saw was it was quite dirty. There were a lot of seeds, fruit, dirt, twigs, weeds, sticks, and rocks over the trail so be aware. Overall it’s good for doing some short rides, using it for sprint training or a family ride.
Trail runs along the river from Julietta to Kendrick. Paved and flat. Runs by the wheat processing facility which was interesting as well. We did it twice for fun.
I did 22 miles total from Moscow to Troy. Palouse headwinds both ways so be advised. But it’s paved and in good condition. There is a section where maintenance did mow and left the tall grass trimmings laying on the trail for a couple miles. Not a big deal as the sun is drying it and it will be gone soon.
The total one way distance from just east of Moscow to the end in Bear Creek canyon is 16 miles and is entirely paved. It is really fun, despite being uphill from Moscow but there is a "summit" halfway and then it is downhill both ways... The one odd thing we found is that the vault toilets are on the trail and not necessarily at the trailhead. We figured that maybe this was done to minimize vandalism. Despite this trail paralleling the highway, it was still alot of fun.
However, since it has been a few years since the last review, please note that the gravelled section at the end of the trail in Bear Creek Canyon is washed out. The paved trail ends and then there is a 10' section of gravel and then a steep gully down to the weeds and creek side. There is a hiking path that has been pioneered but it is not rideable due to rocks, boulders, sloughing and debris. It also does not appear that the paved trail will ever be built further as the cost of just reestablishing the railbed is prohibitive.
The other reviews of this hike are many years old, so I thought an update was in order. We hike this trail at least once a month year round. The trail is 5.2 miles total out and back. It is a gravel/dirt surface and fairly flat. The trail goes through the Palouse River canyon with steep basalt walls. It is a dramatic change from surrounding hills. It is unusual not to see wildlife. We have seen deer, coyotes, eagles, hawks, ducks, geese, vultures and numerous small birds. Like many converted rail routes we have hiked there are several apple and plum trees. The trail ends where the railroad crossed the Palouse River. A tunnel is visible across the river, but is collapsed inside. The covered bridge that was further on burned a few years ago. There are several gates on trail to contain cattle which are rarely present. There is a nice parking area at the trailhead at the end of a dirt road. The signage could be better; use your GPS or just follow the road north past the scrapyard and gravel piles.
While short, this is a fantastic trail that I run and bike on all the time. I've rollerbladed on it too, although there are enough tree roots and other challenges that made rollerblading on it a one-time event.
I only bike this trail, when I want to go to Pullman for some reason and prefer to bike there rather than drive. I don't choose this trail to bike on for the scenery, because the Latah Trail between Moscow and Troy is a lot nicer. But I do like this trail a lot. While you are parallel to the highway, which isn't a big highway by any means, it's not as loud and intrusive as you might think.
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