Sometimes kids need a carrot—a motivator—and that carrot is better if it’s cold and sweet. Who would say “no” to a biking route that stops along the way at an ice cream or frozen yogurt shop? Or an out-and-back ride that ends at one? These regional paved bike paths offer sweet “carrots” for your kids.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- In downtown Coeur d’Alene, take a detour off the North Idaho Centennial Trail to the shopping district near the Coeur d’Alene Resort, a short ride away from both McEuen Park and City Beach Park. Nearby ice cream shops include Abi’s Ice Cream (112 N. 4th Street) and Shenanigans Sweets & Treats (312 Sherman Ave).
- Ride the North Idaho Centennial Trail west from City Beach Park to a spur trail that leads to The Village at Riverstone, a shopping/business plaza where you’ll find a self-serve frozen yogurt shop called Grooveberries (2010 N. Main Street) and Cold Stone Creamery (2462 N. Old Mill Loop).
- Prairie Trail: This 4-mile spur trail off the North Idaho Centennial Trail travels between Riverstone Park (1805 Tilford Lane), near the Village at Riverstone and Ramsey Park (3525 N. Ramsey Road).
- For more trail details, visit the City of Coeur d’Alene parks & recreation trails webpage.
Sandpoint, Idaho
- Sand Creek Trail: Connects the cities of Ponderay and Sandpoint and travels by the entrance to City Beach.
- Long Bridge Trail: At the south end of Sand Creek Trail, this bike path leads past “Dog Beach” (off-leash sandy beach) and across Lake Pend Oreille over the Long Bridge (2 miles).
- Sandpoint-Dover Community Trail: This rail trail leads 2 miles west to Dover and beyond from its start at Larch and Fifth in Sandpoint.
- Sandpoint’s downtown district includes these locations serving ice cream and/or frozen yogurt: Murphy’s (130 N. 6th Ave), Cedar St. Bistro & Espresso Bar (334 N. First Ave), and Panhandle Cone & Coffee (216 N. First Ave).
- For more trail information, visit Pend Oreille Pedalers.
Spokane River Centennial Trail
- Kendall Yards, West Central Spokane: Stop at The Scoop at Kendall Yards (at the former location for Brain Freeze).
- Downtown Spokane: Sweet Peaks Ice Cream (415 West Main Ave) is only a block away from the Red Wagon play area at Riverfront Park.
- Liberty Lake-Stateline: A side-trip off the trail to the shopping plaza off Liberty Lake Road (south of I-90) leads to Just Chillin’ Eats & Sweets (next to Safeway).
- For complete trail information and map, visit Friends of Spokane Centennial Trail.
Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
- Silver Valley: Ride between the cities of Kellogg and Wallace and stop at The Bean in Kellogg (448 Railroad Ave) for ice cream, smoothies, or milkshakes.
- Ride to Harrison: Start at the trailhead at the Lake Chatcolet Day-Use Area at Heyburn State Park in Worley, Idaho, where the Shadowy St. Joe bridge divides Chatcolet from Lake Coeur d’Alene. It’s about a 9-mile one-way ride to the Harrison Creamery and Fudge Factory (206 Coeur D’Alene Ave)—it typically opens in May by Memorial Day weekend. You can also start your bike ride east of Harrison from one of the four trailheads accessible off Highway 3—Springston, Medimont, Blackrock, and Bull Run trailheads.
- Review the trail map at Friendsofcdatrails.org and plan an excursion best for your children’s ages and riding abilities.
