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4.29 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.29
7 Reviews

The "Blow You Away" Idaho-Tour

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Feb 28, 2007

Rider Reviews

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Guest
July 24, 2010
There are many great sections of road on this…
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KK3D
13 McR Points
August 12, 2020
Scenic, easy riding. Can get a number of other…
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Written Directions

This route begins in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. From Coeur d'Alane head east on I-90 for just a short while until you reach exit #22/Hwy 95 where you want to exit and go south on Hwy 95. Take this south as it hugs Coeur d'Alene Lake and when you get down to Harrison, ID look for Rt 3 where you will take a right and go southeast down to St. Maries. In St. Maries pickup Rt 5 heading west and take this all the way over to Plummer where you want to pickup Hwy 95 heading south (take a left). You are going to stay on 95 for a while (about 212 miles) as it runs down not far from the state border. You will pass through Lewiston, the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, White Bird and finally to New Meadows. In New Meadows you need to make your last road change to Rt 55 and take 55 east and then south through Cascade, Horseshoe Bend, and finally into the final destination of Boise.

Scenery

This road begins as route 97 following a lakeshore south for the first 35 miles. It is all big mountains on one side and lake views on the other. It changes onto a rolling hill type farming and logging scenic area for a good while before turning into a beautiful river following ride till turning into a high desert with great views changing once again to a farming area ending in the city of Boise. I have traveled all over the U.S. and Canada and live in Alaska and I am still blown away by the scenic beauty of this ride. You'll pass through multiple national forests including - St. Joe National Forest and Boise National Forest and Nez Perce National Historical Park.

Drive Enjoyment

The beauty if this road is its diversity. It starts with twisties of such scenic beauty it's difficult to take it all in. There are many small towns along the way to stop and settle down in and admire the setting. The road gets a little faster and straighter the further down you travel. The most fun is stopping at White Bird and finding your way onto the old highway over the pass. It is only 2 miles at most but may have as many as 60 160 degree switchbacks and is sport bikers' paradise. The road from there onto Boise is much straighter and is still very scenic. Good pavement, lots of wildlife, lots of fun!

Tourism Opportunities

If you enjoy great scenery, lakes and rivers, wonderful local folks who are biker friendly, like old west history and like touring at a slower pace and still want excitement, this is the ride for you! If you are looking for upscale accommodations you will be disappointed with the lack of anything upscale (exception would be in Coeur d'Alene (your starting point)). There are plenty of camp grounds along this route in state parks, National forests and private grounds. A few of the town along the way have modest motels at reasonable rates. The signage is way beyond typical information usually given, so stop and read them all to get the best of your experience. The Nez Perce Indian monument at Nezperce is a must stop as well as White bird.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather.
 

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Guest
July 24, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
There are many great sections of road on this route. I especially like riding between Riggins and Grangeville along the Salmon River and up White Bird Pass- High Speed Sweeping Curves! My other favorite is between I-90 and St Maries - this is Hwy 97 and it merges with Hwy 3 approx. 8m south of Harrison to take you to St Maries. This is a tight twisting road most of the way -- a favorite midweek morning ride. Hwy 5 takes you west to Hwy 95 at Plummer, ID. There is an error in the directions of the original post -- Take I-90 to Wolf lodge/Harrison/Hwy 97 exit south around Lake Coeur d' Alene, Not Hwy 95. Hwy 95 is a nice scenic ride from Coeur d'Alene, but it is a 2 to 4 lane Hwy and barley passes the lake to the west by cougar bay. Also the map shows taking Hwy 3 out of St Maries to Hwy 6 before reconnecting to Hwy 95 near Potlatch, ID. Either way you will have an excellent ride. Hwy 3 all the way down to Hwy 12 near Lewiston is a great back road. It's only a few miles to go back to the Junction of Hwy 12 and Hwy 95. Or as Jim posted you can ride up Hwy 12 to Kooskia and over to Grangeville. So May possibilities! Lodging can be found in McCall, Riggins (BW Salmon or the Riggins Motel are both Biker friendly) Grangeville, Lewiston, and Coeur d' Alene.
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KK3D
August 12, 2020
13 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring
Scenic, easy riding. Can get a number of other vehicles. Stop at Riggins for lunch on the way up from Boise
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1 riders found this road review useful
RedWing04
September 24, 2015
63 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Have ridden the southern part, from Boise to Lewiston a couple of times. Great road, scenic and nice curves. Several small towns/communities along the way with eats and lodging. Very scenic.
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