Overall Route Rating
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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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GJRonK
September 17, 2014
2629 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
This country varies from open farms to forest right down to the road. Along Coeur d'Alene Lake (Hwy.3 north) are some spots where it's like a jungle with the trees so close and the road so narrow. Loved the ride.
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Guest
December 25, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
This is a great ride. My wife and I rode it last year. After being stuck in Boisie for 2 days due to heavy unrideable rain, we headed north. Mcall is beautifull. There was road construction in some places but nothing more then slight delays. At Grangville we headed up to Kooskia this is a fun road then hwy 12 to Lewiston and up to St Maries another likable town. The East road around the lake is full of twisties but watch out for the trucks with boat trailers they tend to use both lanes in the corners.
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Big_Mike
June 29, 2020
517 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Rode this south to north a number of years ago. Fabulous scenery, enough sweepers ans\d twisties to enjoy completely.
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