More Of Best Of Boise Bike Rides

BOISE, ID — This is the second installment of trails around the capital city to enjoy on two wheels. Our first installment can be found here. The warmer weather is drying the trails out and riding is becoming popular among local bicyclists. For detailed maps of the rides, visit greatrides/boise.

Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. You can also download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

1. Boise Foothills-Highlands. Highlands trail is an admirable poster child for new-school sustainable singletrack, carved like a slithering rattlesnake out of the hillsides between the bottom of Bob’s trail and the beginning of Corrals trail, and forming a great loop with those trails. Most of Highlands is a moderate, steady climb or descent, with corners for days. But there’s one section where the trail picks up a piece of legacy singletrack and plunges steeply to the creek. That means either way you travel, you’ll have some moments of pain and some moments of giddy delight. The trail is clear of mud and snow and ready to ride.
2. Camel's Back Park-Crestline. Also known as “the Freeway,” Crestline is a central artery of the lower foothills trails. Its gentle grade and wide tread attract runners and beginner cyclists. It’s a nice connection, but basically boring. Crestline is often looped with Hulls Gulch or with Sidewinder and Freestone Ridge.
3. Bogus Basin-Deer Point. Deer Point is often seen as merely the extended on-ramp to Around the Mountain, but it’s so much more than that. Deer Point is a top-notch trail in its own right, with lush forested sections, mountain views, and abundant flow. It’s a great hike or intermediate bike ride, and the best way to reach the highest trails at Bogus Basin. This trail is currently closed and cyclists are urged to check before making the drive.
4. Camel's Back Park-Hulls Gulch. Hulls Gulch is one of the true classics of Boise. It’s got a nice steady grade, some fun little technical challenges (including one pretty imposing rock feature), and a babbling little creek nearby. Its only real shortcoming is its popularity–with lots of traffic and blind corners, downhill bikers shouldn’t expect to let it rip. Hikers, joggers, bikers…everyone loves this trail. It’s also got a sandy composition and drains really well, so it’s useable when many other trails are too wet. This is one trail to consider after a storm comes through as it dries quickly.
5. Military Reserve-Three Bears. Three Bears is a quality trail that’ll get you away from the crowds and into the middle/upper foothills. Three Bears is named for the three steep sections that will light your leg muscles on fire. If you can ride up Papa Bear (the steepest and rockiest section) without dabbing, congrats: you’re pretty good at pedaling a bicycle. Three Bears makes a ripper downhill, with open sight lines that allow for a ton of speed. Three Bears is most popular with bikers, but you’ll see some hikers, too, on weekends. Because of location, there may still be puddles on this trail. Cyclists are urged to go through puddles, not around them.
6. Military Reserve-Five Mile Gulch. Five Mile Gulch is really two trails. Lower Five Mile Gulch is like a light touch massage at a fancy spa; upper Five Mile Gulch is like a deep tissue massage from a Ukrainian weightlifter. Lower Five Mile Gulch is popular as an entree to Watchman Trail, and is fun both up or down. It’s got a steady, moderate grade and it is remote enough that it’s rarely crowded. Upper Five Mile Gulch is a steep painfest that will test your fitness whether you’re mountain biking, hiking, or jogging. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you pop into the pine trees on the Ridge Road. We recommend Five Mile as one of the best hikes in Boise. Due to elevation, this trail still has snow and riders are encouraged to wait for the thaw.

Stay connected! Like Boise Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Boise Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of our latest sponsors? Email any and all inquiries to me at john.braese@patch.com.