Find the top rated running trails in Orofino, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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!
Id rate this trail a C- overall for a couple of reasons. The biggest drawback is the overfilled cracks which have been poorly managed. These bumps are hard to take on a rigid frame road bike and they are frequent—as in every few yards. The continual jarring diminishes the riders experience overall. Secondly, as of late August 2023, the bridge near Pullman is out. Some local kids decided to party there and burned the bridge. There is a detour that takes you onto Highway 8, but that’s never enjoyable to ride a busy highway. I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to ride the trail, bu rid you happen to be in the area and want to do a short ride it’s okay.
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.
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.
Previous descriptions still hold true. The path as it goes into Hellsgate Park is more of a campground path; okay pavement but narrower than the rest of the path. To cross Memorial Bridge it was a bit confusing as there are no signs for where to go. As long as you know that's where the path continues, you should be able to find it (on the north side of the Clearwater River, it's easiest to pick up the path on the west side of the bridge).
This trail has a bit everything, including views of the Palouse, a forested area, and bridges and tunnels. You can even park at Troy City Park and leave your car overnight if you only feel like bicycling one way. It will most likely be a destination trail once the Troy to Kendrick piece is complete.
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