Route of the Hiawatha

The Route of the Hiawatha turns an ambitious piece of railroad engineering into a ride that feels like a sequence of reveals. The standard 2026 itinerary begins at East Portal, passes through the 1.661-mile St. Paul Pass—or Taft—Tunnel, descends 14.4 miles to Pearson, and uses the paid shuttle to return to Roland. Riders parked at East Portal then pedal through the long tunnel a second time, bringing typical riding distance to about 16.4 miles (26.4 km).

The opening tunnel is not a warm-up. It is completely unlit, cold at roughly 47°F year-round, wet in places and long enough for the entrance behind you to disappear before the exit becomes convincing. A tightly focused 300–400 lumen handlebar light is required. The best experience comes from slowing down, removing sunglasses before entry and letting the sound of water, tires and voices define the space without stopping in the travel lane.

Emerging at the west portal feels theatrical: daylight, forest and the old railroad grade suddenly replace the tunnel’s black interior. Roland provides a useful regrouping point and the option to begin for riders who want to bypass Taft Tunnel. From there, the route settles into a gentle 1.5–2% descent on firm gravel, following broad curves designed for trains rather than bicycles.

The steel trestles are the visual signature. They lift riders above deep, forested drainages and expose the scale of the Bitterroot Mountains without requiring a hard climb. In 2026, the trail remains open, but a Forest Service notice dated May 27 closes all trestle and bridge walkways while remediation is underway. Stay on the designated riding surface, do not enter barricaded areas and expect staff or maintenance equipment near work zones.

Between the major structures, the pleasure is quieter: filtered mountain light, interpretive signs, old railway cuts and repeated glimpses of the line curling across the opposite slope. The surface changes from fine gravel to coarser dirt and small cobble, so wide tires and calm braking make the ride more enjoyable. Narrow road tires are seen here but are specifically not recommended by the operator.

The railroad story gives the scenery weight. Thousands of workers from numerous immigrant communities built the Milwaukee Road’s Pacific extension between 1906 and 1911. Its tunnels, electrification infrastructure and high bridges represented extraordinary industrial ambition. After the railroad’s bankruptcy, the Forest Service, volunteers and partner organizations converted the grade into a fee-supported public trail.

This route works especially well for friends, couples and families whose younger riders already brake, steer and hold a line confidently. The descent is gentle, but darkness, loose gravel, two-way bicycle traffic and exposed trestles demand attention. Anyone anxious about the long tunnel can start at Roland, while riders wanting a harder day can climb from Pearson and return downhill without the shuttle.

Logistics shape the experience. Lookout Pass at I-90 Exit 0 is the ticket, rental and information center, but it is not connected to the riding trail by shuttle. Most riders drive to East Portal from Exit 5 at Taft. At Pearson, buses return riders and bicycles to Roland on a first-come basis; waits of 30–45 minutes or more are possible on busy afternoons. Early starts are more relaxed.

For 2026, the verified season runs May 22 through September 20, with facilities opening at 8:00 a.m. and the trail at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Weather can alter operations. Tour de Fun links only the official operator map and Forest Service information; it does not present an unverified GPX or third-party route link. What makes this ride special is not simply that a railroad became a bike path, but that every tunnel and trestle changes the rider’s sense of scale, sound and exposure.

Source-backed, not locally verified: This is an editorial guide, not live navigation. Check closures, detours, weather, traffic and access rules with the source immediately before riding.