Find the top rated birding trails in Polson, 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.
As noted, this is an 11-mike one way trail along the highway, which is busy in the summer months. It does veer off onto old route 2 a few times, past camps & resorts, tucked away from commercial route 2. Well maintained, with stunning scenery along the way, this trail suffices for our quest of “Cycling the 50” states.
This is not a trail you pick for the scenery, although views along this highway are nice. The description in TrailLink is accurate, from what I can tell. I was very happy to have this trail to do. My husband needed to take a break and get some things done at our RV, which left me free to ride, and this trail was perfect. I could get in as many miles as I wanted and I did 40. It wasn't that easy - some nice long and a bit challenging hills made it interesting. If you just want a trail that will give you some nice miles this is great. I am really, really happy it was here. Thank you!
It's a nice paved trail, but be warned, at almost every bridge that you have to cross, the asphalt has sunk. This results in the hard concrete lip of the bridge rising 2" higher than the asphalt and when you hit it the damage will range from destroyed wheel to 4 punctures. I don't even ride my road bike on it anymore because of all the damage it receives.
Was looking for a pleasant family bike ride. We rode from Ashley Meadows to Somers. The path parallels, just yards away, from a 4 lane, very busy highway (Hwy 93). Road crossings every 1/4 mile. Very noisy, not scenic at all. The last 1 1/2 miles into Somers was the best part when it finally departed from the highway. I guess we're just spoiled with the amazing bike paths at home (Calgary, Alberta). If you want to ride your bike along over 800km of beautifully maintained asphalt pathways, meandering along rivers, through city and provincial parks, with little-to-no no road crossings, or other traffic interruptions, come visit Calgary.
For someone who rides in the Desert of AZ most of the year, this was a nice change of scenery. If you want to get miles and time in the saddle this one round trip in either direction is good. I started in Somers to Kali where the sign tells you the END and headed back to the train. Stopped at the Conoco for a refill of water. (Super Nice ladies there).
My only complaint is\are the post's or holes where the post should be at trail breaks at road crossings. They are to close together and the jagged holes could do some damage on road bikes. Just be cautious when approaching them.
Overall really, really good ride!
Nicely paved trail winding through Flathead county. The views are wonderful of the surrounding mountains and pastures and fields. There is so much to look at, especially on a beautiful day like today. With only a few turns to slow you down, this would be a great trail to get some distance riding on.
The only downfall is that the trail DOES follow along three different sections of highways. The fumes were a bit much at times.
We will ride this trail again when the weather gets colder. Should be pretty with light snow all around.
One of the problems with the rails to trail group is they don't enforce standards for trails to be "Rails-to-trails". Railroads don't like hills and curves, which makes them a unique ride and riding on 100 year old rail-beds is historic.
The Great Northern trail is mostly in name only, most of the old rail-bed has gone to highway 93 or the McMansions backyards. From Somers, across from the post office is a small 3 car parking area (look for the old logging engine display) the first mile north is on the old rail line and is stunning. Then you cross highway 82 and become a shoulder of highway 93. In Kalispell you can pick up the rail trail on highway 2 just west of town, as you are heading out, look for a blinking yellow light at an intersection, about 100 yards before that on the left is a driveway that connects to the trail, turn hear and drive about 200 feet down the rail trail (yes, it is shared with local driveways) and there is a parking lot. Heading east is true rail trail until you hit 93. Heading west is fake rail trail that follows highway 2. You can spot the old railroad grade in the backyards of the huge houses along the way.
Not the best effort of preserving the rail grade, but heck it is a ride.
You can now walk, bike or mosey from Kalispell to Kila on the historic Great Northern. In 2008 the 2 bridges were installed and in 2009 the remaining pieces were paved. In Kila, you can enjoy the waterfowl production area and dinner and a drink at the always interesting Cottage Cafe. Please do what you can to support this locally supported grassroots effort.
The Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana is providing a GREAT Trail for the Hikers and Bikers. For $75 you may have your name engraved on a brick and placed on a the new GIFT WALL near Dern Rd. The asphalt surface trail goes six miles west out of Kalispell ( N48.19678 W114.33065 ) and grading of trail, in progress, to connect the 2.4 mile gap with the completed 2 miles asphalt trail around Kila to Smith Lake Rd.
( N48.10817 W114.46160 ) Also there is 5.3 miles of trail north from Somers towards Kalispell
( N48.08090 W114.22573 ).
Parking available just north of trailhead in Kalispell and at trailhead in Somers.
Great vistas, from the trails. Noel Keller 20 Apr 09
The trail is now almost six paved miles one-way. I've run many miles on this and the views are wonderful. Plans are underway to continue the trail. The Rails to Trails of NW Montana group is a very dedicated group of citizens. More power to them!
I rode this trail almost every day last summer. The trail is now paved to Batavia. Those who feel spunky can keep going on unpaved trail to Kila. This summer stop and have lunch at the Cottage Cafe at the end of the trail in Kila.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
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