The Best Hiking Trails in Idaho (United States)

Continental Divide Trail day 103: Harkness Lakes to Spring at mile 2251.8

Hiking

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gryfolge

Distance

26.67mi

Elevation +

5745f

TrailRank

26

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Another scenic hiking day on the border line between Idaho/Montana - ascending and descending hilltops. Great views for the most part of the day.

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Ketchum, Idaho: Amber Gulch trail

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

4.49mi

Elevation +

1444f

TrailRank

25

One of the typical Idaho alpine trails which ends at an alpine valley with a lake. Although the first lake is tiny, the trail offers both views and tree cover. And it is designed with a rather mild, constant slope. Altog...

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Boise, Idaho: Kepros Mountain hiking trail

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

9.41mi

Elevation +

2234f

TrailRank

25

This is a rather long hike (9 miles roundtrip) near Boise. It makes for a nice spring hike, when other areas are still covered by snow. There great views of the valley A well-worn ATV trail gets you to the mountain, but...

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Continental Divide Trail day 108: Carmen Creek Trailhead to South Fork Sheep Creek

Hiking

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gryfolge

Distance

19.42mi

Elevation +

3845f

TrailRank

24

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From Carmen Creek Trailhead the trail ascends up onto the ridge, and will connect you back to the CDT. Pleasant hiking on the ridgeline through Salmon National Forest before the trail drops down to N. Fork Sheep Creek.

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Continental Divide Trail day 95: Summit Lake Campground (YNP) to Moose Creek (mile 10 at Mack’s Inn alternate)

Hiking

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gryfolge

Distance

22.68mi

Elevation +

456f

TrailRank

24

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From Summit Lake you’ll hike on good trail in easy terrain. At mile 2032,5 the trail crosses the Wyoming/Idaho Border (Yay!) After the Yellowstone National Park Boundary there is a long descent all the way to Moose Creek...

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Kinney Creek

Hiking

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Nicole Farnsworth

Distance

4.08mi

Elevation +

623f

TrailRank

24

Easy walk on fairly wide old jeep trail through juniper forests, sagebrush fields and Aspen groves. Several possible trails but the centre trail peters out due to downfall just after the small pond which may be the Kinne...

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Crouch, Idaho: SIlver Creek summit

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

3.22mi

Elevation +

1335f

TrailRank

24

This is an easy hike following a popular motorcycle trail, so watch out for traffic. Still it is worth going to the summit to enjoy the views of some rugged blocks of granite. There is a good gravel road and plenty...

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Ketchum, ID: Cerro Ciento and Easley peak

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

7.45mi

Elevation +

4587f

TrailRank

24

Cerro Ciento is a relatively easy way to enjoy the views of the Boulder and Pioneer mountains. Easley peak is more popular, but they are so close it is worth checking out both of them. The hike starts at Spring Creek ...

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Continental Divide Trail day 105: From Leadore to km. 14 on Lemhi Road/Old Idaho 28

Hiking

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gryfolge

Distance

8.66mi

Elevation +

49f

TrailRank

24

Due to fireclosures (as of 2018) CDT hikers are rerouted to get clear of the wildfires. The Lemhi Road/Old Idaho 28 is a dirt road, that runs parallell to, but still a little bit away from the new highway. A quite pleasa...

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Mackay, Idaho: Mt. Borah conventional route

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

4.24mi

Elevation +

5174f

TrailRank

24

All kind of people visit Borah Peak –and seasoned climbers eat it for breakfast-, but this is a serious hike -4 miles ahead, one mile up. And a beautiful one too, with real top of the world feeling. Up to Chicken Out Ri...

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Stanley, Idaho: Imogene lake

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

5.69mi

Elevation +

1401f

TrailRank

23| 5.0

A beautiful trail which visits two large lakes. The trek to Hell Roaring lake is very easy, almost flat. The lake is a good camping spot. Beyond, the newly cut trail zigzags up the mountain with a very mild slope. And ...

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Freddy's Stack Rock Loop

Hiking

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Nicole Farnsworth

Distance

7.97mi

Elevation +

545f

TrailRank

23

From the lower parking lot ascend on switchbacks to the upper lot and through the pine trees partially on an old logging road. Mostly shady in the a.m. At the intersection continued to stacked rock. The possibility for a...

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Ketchum, Idaho: Piooner Cabin from Long Gulch trail

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

9.10mi

Elevation +

3219f

TrailRank

23

Pioneer cabin is one of the most visited trails around Ketchum. The hike is an endless set of switchbacks for about 3.5 lines along a well maintained but boring trail. The descent is a piece of cake. It makes for a hard ...

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Continental Divide Trail day 107: Sharkey Hot Springs to Salmon, Idaho

Hiking

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gryfolge

Distance

23.47mi

Elevation +

407f

TrailRank

23

Soft hiking on dirt roads through pleasant farmlands. You’ll pass the tiny community of Baker on the way, with the pleasant Amish Country Store.

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Continental Divide Trail day 104: Spring at mile 2251.8 to Bannock Pass/Hwy 29

Hiking

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gryfolge

Distance

16.20mi

Elevation +

2700f

TrailRank

23

A scenic hike up on the ridgelines with magnificent views. From Hwy 29 there’s a hitch in to Leadore for resupply.

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2020-07-19 Sawtooth Lake

Hiking

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huangyizhou

Distance

9.27mi

Elevation +

1821f

TrailRank

23

A popular hiking trail (probalby the most popular) in Sawtooth National Forest, not far from Stanley. Click the following "View more" link for detailed trip report of the day.

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Corral creek to W. Fork of Mink Creek Loop

Hiking

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Nicole Farnsworth

Distance

9.53mi

Elevation +

509f

TrailRank

22

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Enjoyable loop with lots of wildflowers and birds. Note: this map includes some extra wandering. The loop could be shortened or lengthened. The straight lines are indicative and not exact route due to loss of gps signal ...

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Redfish Inlet to Bench Lakes, Thence Redfish Trailhead

Hiking

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gordon wellington

Distance

8.33mi

Elevation +

1181f

TrailRank

22

Took water taxi to Redfish inlet, then proceeded northeast along trail 101 to Bench Lakes. This stretch of trail was very picturesque, and had we not made it to the Bench Lakes, we would have felt the effort was well wor...

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Boise, Idaho: Mount Heinen

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

4.69mi

Elevation +

3547f

TrailRank

22

This is a neat hike close to Boise. It is a little tough, but very scenic because it follows the South ridge of Heinen. The very visible trail starts at Irish Creek boat ramp in ArrowRock reservoir. The first mile is ...

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Beaver ponds to Windago Loop

Hiking

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Nicole Farnsworth

Distance

9.28mi

Elevation +

344f

TrailRank

22

Up through overgrown yet dry marsh with several functioning beaver ponds. Up through trees and on top. Missed a turn and bushwacked over ridge to reconnect to the path. Back down the creek with older beaver ponds. Wide p...

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Ketchum, Idao: Prairie lake and Miner lake

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

11.03mi

Elevation +

2060f

TrailRank

22

This is a nice long walk through alpine forest. Miner lake is much prettier than Prairie. The trail to Prairie and then Miner is easy and well maintained. Also suitable for a mountain bike but somewhat technical becau...

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Stanley, Idaho: Marshall Lake Trail

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

5.07mi

Elevation +

1473f

TrailRank

22

Fairly easy hike to a secluded lake. Starting from the Redfish Lake backpackers trailhead, continue to the prominent ridge north of Fishhook creek. From then on the trail is a very easy gradual climb. The ridge offers ni...

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Almo, Idaho: City of Rocks South Fork

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

5.83mi

Elevation +

1122f

TrailRank

22

Climbing is the thing to do in City of Rocks. But the area is really beautiful and there are a few fairly easy and very scenic trails. This loop goes up Tea Kettle trail, which starts in Elephant Rock. The easy trail go...

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Lowman, Idaho: Crooked river trail

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

7.27mi

Elevation +

492f

TrailRank

22

In every dimension, this trail is as user friendly as Idaho mountain trails come: access through decent roads (just one mile off Idaho 21), well maintained trail, pretty much flat (some up and downs). And the hike offer...

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Almo, Idaho: City of Rocks North Fork

Hiking

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rjodra

Distance

6.01mi

Elevation +

1483f

TrailRank

22

Climbing is the thing to do in City of Rocks. But the area is really beautiful and there are a few fairly easy and very scenic trails. This trail is more steep than the South Fork, but more open and clear. Starting from...

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