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The Polson Bike Transit creates a large 9.1-mile loop around the city of Polson, MT which lies on Flathead Lake. A majority of the route is paved and off-road, although there are some on-street portions along the route.
About the Route
The Polson Bike Transit Loop has a northern endpoint at Riverfront Park which offers greenspace, a boat launch, and a small dock. The paved trail here heads south where it turns into the sidewalks alongside 2nd St W.
The trail here turns onto 7th Ave. W, where trail users can use the road (watching out for vehicle traffic). After about a mile, the trail turns north and begins the Rail Trail portion of the trail. This section is off-road and follows along an old railroad right-of-way for the next 3.6 miles. The rail-trail portion runs roughly alongside Rte. 93 and curves north and then south. This portion of the trail does a long and steady climb as it heads out of town and away from the lake. However, the climb is well worth it as the trail passes the Flathead Lake Overlook Scenic Turnout, which offers panoramic views of the lake (note: the scenic turnout is on the opposite side of the road).
The trail turns onto Caffery Rd. where a small strip of tallgrass separates the trail from the roadway. Along Caffery Rd. the trail is flat, but it continues to gain elevation as the trail follows alongside Skyline Dr.
Skyline Dr. meanders north and then east until the trail reaches 1st Street. This final portion completes the loop as the trail heads briefly east along 1st St. and north again along 2nd St. West.
Connections
Trail users can take a multi-use trail along U-93 all the way to Ronan to continue their journey.
The Polson Bike Transit Loop creates a complete circle around Polson, MT approximately between Riverfront Park 49401 US-93 (Polson), where parking is available, and 36040 Caffrey Rd (Polson).
See TrailLink Map for more detailed directions.
We started at Riverside Park and followed the trail clockwise (the best direction unless a steep hill climb is preferred). Through town we didn’t follow the map exactly, avoided travelling on Main street where more traffic and no bike lanes. There are not any trail signs to follow. Eventually the trail connects to the Carol Sampson Sherick trail. This is the portion of trail which was the old railroad bed. Trail is wide and nicely paved, easy railroad grade climb to top of hill. Saw a couple deer along the trail. Trail could use some weed control love and crack seal but over all good. If wanting a long ride can continue straight at top of hill and follow wide paved path all the way to Ronan. We turned right on Caffrey road, the trail follows alongside road with a curb between road and trail. Next intersection made the right turn and eventually climbed to top of hill overlooking Polson and Flathead Lake. Then the trail goes down the steep grade into town. Eventually wandered city streets back to start. My mileage was to be 10.5 miles and very little deviation from trail, if anything we were a bit short on mileage from not exactly following map. Overall, some nice portions and some not so nice.
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