Biking the Historic Hiawatha Trail Through Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains

Biking the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha trail reveals history and nature through the Bitterroot Mountains.

Hannah Shields and her friend Anna biked this trail on July 9, 2026, tracing a former Milwaukee Railroad segment that once connected Montana and Idaho. Their ride illustrates how an abandoned rail line has been repurposed into a recreational asset, blending historic preservation with outdoor tourism infrastructure.

The trail features the 1.66-mile St. Paul Pass Tunnel, requiring bike lights for safe passage. Riders rent bikes near Lookout Pass off I-90 for $40, pay a $20 trail ticket, and often opt for a $20 shuttle back, which the author recommends to avoid a 30-mile round trip. The railroad, completed in 1909 and later purchased by the federal government for $3.9 million in 1985, ceased operations west of Miles City, Montana, in 1980 before the trail opened in 1998. The area also endured a massive fire shortly after the railroad’s completion, impacting over 3 million acres.

While no future developments were noted, the trail’s continued use depends on coordination between forest services and local businesses.

Montana’s proximity to this historic route suggests potential benefits for regional tourism and outdoor recreation economies. Given Montana’s rugged terrain and cultural emphasis on nature, similar rail-to-trail conversions might attract visitors seeking scenic, historic biking experiences, possibly enhancing local business opportunities tied to outdoor adventure.

Route of the Hiawatha: A treasured spectacle through the Bitterroot Mountains
By HANNAH SHIELDS