Sun Valley Road Bike Tour
Explore majestic, beautiful Southern Idaho, all the way from cowboy country outside of Boise to the outdoor mecca of Sun Valley. Gorgeous Sun Valley: birthplace of the ski lift, beloved by Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Warren Miller, not to mention Ernest Hemingway. The chiseled Sawtooth Mountains: home to more than 50 peaks over 10,000 feet and over 300 mountain lakes. Ride a wide arc through this remote wilderness of expansive views and snow-dusted peaks following wild rivers and mountain grades. Golf, hike, river raft, shop – you can even go fly-fishing or wine tasting. Most of all, breathe the clear mountain air and savor the surroundings.
Pedal Happy! – While this is indeed a spectacular route, most of the cycling on this tour is along state highways (there are few, if any, other paved roads). Riders should be comfortable cycling highways with varying amounts of shoulder, guard rails and some traffic.
Thanks to Visit Sun Valley for help with photos!
Itinerary
Day 01
Pedal from Idaho City to Lowman on the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway.
Meals
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Sourdough Lodge
Distance
45 miles
Elevation
+4175 ft / -3785 ft
Ability Level
Intermediate
Meet us in Boise. Begin riding in Idaho City, a historic mining town where you can still pan for gold. Bicycle the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway – a gorgeous route with stunning views of the Sawtooth Range – beside Mores Creek, then Lamar Creek and finally Beaver Creek. Bicycle into Lowman, on the Payette River, to stay at the Sourdough Lodge.
Day 02
Ride through remote wilderness over Banner Summit to Stanley, Idaho.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Stanley High Country Inn
Distance
46 miles
Elevation
+3475 ft / -1523 ft
Ability Level
Intermediate
Tackle another mountain pass today. Bicycle up and over Banner Summit, a long but gradual climb. To one side: the Sawtooth Wilderness, with 217,000 pristine acres of rugged forests and pristine lakes. To the other: the Salmon-Challis National Forest, gateway to the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, with more contiguous acres of road-free wild lands than anywhere in the lower 48. From the summit – one of Idaho’s highest at 7,056 feet – descend into the town of Stanley, nestled amid the Sawtooth Mountains. Stay at the Stanley High Country Inn.
Day 03
Enjoy a boat ride and a hike to an alpine lake.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Lodging
Stanley High Country Inn
Distance
Hike: 7.2, or 10.3 miles
Elevation
Hike:
+1,215 ft / -1,213 ft, or
+1,895 ft / -1,899 ft
Ability Level
All Levels
Give your trusty steed a rest today and lace up your hiking boots instead. Pack up your rucksack in the morning and set off on a boat ride across Redfish Lake near Stanley. From the other side of the lake, hike into the heart of the Sawtooth Range’s magnificent high country. Pick from two trails to alpine lakes – one easier, one a bit harder – both with magnificent views. Spend another night at the High Country Inn. Dinner is on your own tonight. This is also the best day to go rafting (not included).
Day 04
Cross over Galena Summit on the Sawtooth Scenic Byway - one of the highest paved roads in Idaho.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Tyrolean Lodge
Distance
62 miles
Elevation
+2824 ft / -3281 ft
Ability Level
Intermediate
Warm up pedaling through bucolic agricultural lands this morning before the road ramps up toward the mountains. Cross over the Galena Summit on the Sawtooth Scenic Byway, a regional showcase as well as one of the highest paved roads in Idaho. Watch for pronghorn antelope, deer, and elk! Top out at 8700’ and enjoy the views from the summit before the big downhill cruise into Ketchum and Sun Valley. Spend the next two nights at the Tyrolean Lodge, just outside Sun Valley proper.
Day 05
Explore Sun Valley today!
Meals
– Breakfast
– Dinner
Lodging
Tyrolean Lodge
Ability Level
All Levels
Explore Sun Valley today! Options abound. Hang out in town and golf, play tennis, take a wine tour, or go shopping. Head to the hills for some horseback riding, mountain biking or more hiking. Find a river raft trip that suits your tastes. Or head out for another road ride. Lunch is on your own.
Day 06
Ride to Hailey on a network of bike paths and celebrate a great week at the Powerhouse Bike Shop.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Distance
Up to 53 miles
Elevation
Up to +969 ft / -1,896 ft
Ability Level
All Levels
Ride 30 miles south to Hailey, mostly on bike paths. Have lunch and check out the famous Powerhouse Bike Shop where you can ogle the coolest new bikes and gear. If your legs haven’t had their fill, ride another 20 miles to meet the main highway before hopping into the van for the journey back to Boise (~2hrs).
