Empire Builder Epic Bike Tour
Winner of a National Geographic Adventures ’50 Tours of a Lifetime’ Award! From Seattle, Washington to East Glacier National Park, Montana, this Epic trip combines portions of three of our favorite tours – the American Alps, the Selkirk Loop and Glacier National Park – spinning through three states and returning to the start on a one-of-a-kind train ride. Conquer the Cascade, Selkirk and even the Rocky Mountain ranges as you take on this 700+ mile, 10-day extravaganza. On arrival in Whitefish, Montana, hop aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder train – with private sleeping cars – and head back to Seattle.
National Parks on This Tour: Glacier National Park
*Please note: A sleeping car is purchased at the time of reservation, so for this tour, there is an additional $100 train fee if you transfer or cancel at any time.
This tour is operated under special use permit/s with Glacier National Park. Bicycle Adventures is an equal opportunity provider.
Itinerary
Day 01
Ride from Seattle to the "Gateway to the American Alps".
Meals
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
North Cascades Inn (formerly Buffalo Run Inn)
Distance
111 miles (or less)
Elevation
+3,160 ft / -2,876 ft (or less)
From Lake Union in Seattle, we head northward out of the city on the Burke-Gilman Trail along Lake Washington. Snow-capped mountains begin to press in on both sides of the road as we near the tiny town of Marblemount at the base of the Cascade Mountains – otherwise known as the “Gateway to the American Alps.” Stay tonight at North Cascades Inn (formerly Buffalo Run Inn)
Day 02
Ride the "American Alps" through North Cascades National Park.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Inn at Mazama
Distance
75 miles
Elevation
+5420 ft / -3638 ft
Today’s route features 5,000 feet of climbing and stunning backdrops as we ride through the heart of North Cascades National Park. See why the region has earned the nickname “The American Alps.” It’s a 50-mile gradual climb on the North Cascades Scenic Highway to Washington Pass. Marvel at the magnificent views before enjoying a 25-mile descent into the Methow Valley, home to the wild-west themed town of Winthrop. Stay tonight amidst the charming setting of the Inn at Mazama.
Day 03
Ride through the oldest wildlife area in the state to the home of the Omak Stampede Rodeo.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Peppertree Inn, Omak
Distance
60 miles
Elevation
+4041 ft / -5185 ft
From Mazama, ride through Okanagan National Forest, skirting the edge of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area – the oldest wildlife refuge in Washington State – a nearly 19,000-acre park that was originally a mule deer preserve. Cedars, hemlock and Douglas fir give way first to scattered ponderosa pines, then sagebrush and finally wide-open prairies. Dismount for the day in Omak – locally renowned for its Omak Stampede Rodeo – nestled just below the Canadian border on the Okanagan River. Stay at the Peppertree Inn.
Day 04
Omak, Washington to Colville via historic Kettle Falls.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Comfort Inn, Colville
Distance
128 miles (or less)
Elevation
+8041 ft / -7441 ft (or less)
As you head toward the Selkirk Mountains, you leave the prairie behind and pedal back up into stands of ponderosa pine and aspen. Watch for white-tailed deer, moose, and blue grouse! The route winds through the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area and across Lake Roosevelt, formed by the Grand Coulee Dam. Ride through Kettle Falls, a former rendezvous point and fishing grounds for the Yakama, Nez Perce, Flathead and Blackfeet tribes (to name a few), whose seasonal salmon catches would net up to 3,000 fish per day! Spend tonight at the Comfort Inn in Colville, a one-time trading center for the Upper Columbia region.
Day 05
Ride from Colville to gorgeous Sandpoint, Idaho, on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Lodging
Edgewater Resort
Distance
126 miles (or less)
Elevation
+5169 ft / -4653 ft (or less)
Today’s ride – all 100+ miles of it – takes you through Colville National Forest to a well-earned 2-night stay at the Edgewater Resort on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, the second largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Dinner is on your own tonight in Sandpoint, ID.
Day 06
Savor a rest day in a world-class recreation destination: Sandpoint, Idaho
Meals
– Breakfast
– Dinner
Lodging
Edgewater Resort
Stay put in Sandpoint – a fun-loving mountain town hugging the shores of sparkling Lake Pend Oreille and surrounded by the Selkirk, Cabinet and Bitterroot mountain ranges, Ride, hike, play golf, go fly-fishing or try some rock-climbing – take your pick (not included). Or, if you can’t stay off the bike and you want a great view, try the 12-mile ride (climb) up to Schweitzer Ski Resort, Idaho’s second largest ski area. Lunch is on your own.
Day 07
Cross the Idaho panhandle and visit magnificent Kootenai Falls.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Montana Country Inn
Distance
98 miles (or less)
Elevation
+3349 ft / -3332 ft (or less)
Finish crossing the Idaho panhandle en route to the historic mining and timber town of Libby, Montana. Mountains and rivers and forests abound. Visit Kootenai Falls – a must see! This sacred site to the Kootenai Indians is one of the largest remaining free-flowing falls in the northwest. Stay at the Venture Inn.
Day 08
Cycle to Whitefish, Montana, gateway to Glacier National Park.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Pine Lodge on Whitefish River
Distance
76 miles
Elevation
+5,484 ft / -5,001 ft
Pedal 50 miles of shoreline along Lake Koocanusa (can you figure out how it got its name?) in Kootenai National Forest. From Eureka, MT, shuttle the last miles of busy highway to Whitefish – gateway to world famous Glacier National Park! Rest up for the climb at Pine Lodge on Whitefish River near the heart of town.
Day 09
An epic finale on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Empire Builder (Amtrak)
Distance
70 miles
Elevation
+7,176 ft / -5,570 ft
Ride up and over the Continental Divide on the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass and descend to East Glacier. If you haven’t ridden “GTSR”, the signature route through Glacier National Park, you’re in for a treat. From fjord-like Lake McDonald, the road climbs gently. As you get higher and higher, the views unfold: alpine meadows and azure lakes, snow covered peaks skirted by fields of wildflowers and washed by waterfalls, the occasional bighorn sheep or mountain goat. Utterly spectacular. You’ve got a train to catch, though, so sorry… no dawdling!
Day 10
Wake up on the train. Watch the scenery spin past as you head back to Seattle. We'll miss you!
Meals
– Breakfast
Having caught the train yesterday, you’ll have spent the evening in the dining car reminiscing and relaxing before retiring to your private sleeper car. Wake up in the morning, have breakfast (still on the train) and arrive in Seattle at about 10:30 am for your return trip home.
*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Plan a fun pre- or post-tour escape to Washington’s national parks.
Our Sister company, Evergreen Escapes, offers small-group day tours to Mt. Rainier, Olympic National Park, and Mt. St. Helens that provide a great way to see a little bit more of the Evergreen state before your bike tour begins, or after you’re out of the saddle.
Escape your every day and explore the wonders of the PNW!