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Known to locals simply as "the bike path," the Wood River Trail offers spectacular recreational opportunities amid the equally spectacular scenery of central Idaho, nestled among the surrounding Rocky Mountains. In summer, biking, inline skating, walking, and jogging are popular trail activities. In winter, cross-country skiers and snowshoers come out en masse.
About the Route
With a central spine spanning 20+ miles and a loop with additional spurs at its northern end that make a total of 36 miles of trail, the Wood River Trail serves as an important connector for the communities in the Wood River Valley and Sun Valley areas. For visitors, this also means that lodging, restaurants, and other services are readily available along the trail.
Free maps and trail guides are available at the chambers of commerce, Hailey's recreation district office, or at any local sports store.
The Wood River Trail runs between ID-75 (Ketchum) and Gannett Rd. (Bellevue).
Parking is available at:
There are numerous parking options along this route, please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
This is a life line to our community with year around use and if you enjoy commuting it can often be a faster alternative to driving between Hailey and Ketchum especially in the summer. Ride it, walk it, skate ski it, get out of your car!!
FYI - the depot in Ketchum is the YMCA. The building no longer looks like a depot. The historical sign detailing info on the depot is behind the bus stop, hidden out of view. I found it because I was standing at the bus stop and saw the sign in the shrubbery.
We rode this trail for 20 miles last week. Very well maintained and smooth. It was fun to see the ski resorts from our bike. This is a great bike town.
Slight incline all the way to Sun Valley which makes it easier coming back. Once in Sun Valley the touring through the town was great. Being from Minnesota the scenery is a nice change from lakes....That’s debatable but none the less fantastic ride!
I was a little scared to the vertical climb. However it's so gradual I don't notice. The beauty of this area is tops. Well paved and traveled the day I rode.
Top of the line trail definitely a Destiination trail. Don’t let the elevation increase Scare you off.
In June my brother and I rode the Wood River Trail from Ketchum to Bellevue and back using road bikes. You rarely find a 20-mile trail as well paved as this one. Historical signage along the way is fun to read. The trail avoids downtown Ketchum, and is close to several other towns' businesses if you need hydration or food. The trail is not shaded, so take hydration. The southern part can get windy.
We did not take the spur to Sun Valley; would do so next time.
We recently visited Ketchum and road the Wood River Trail from the western edge of town to the end in Bellevue.We have ridden trails in 42 States and this one the best maintained we have experienced.Leaving Ketchum the trail is surrounded by trees and follows the river for about 3 miles.After that the landscape is more open but still a most enjoyable ride.Just a few ups and downs to keep interesting with a few crossings that are well marked for trail users and vehicle traffic.Wish this one was closer to home to enjoy on a regular basis.Do not miss if you are in the area!
Excellent trail in Sun Valley, Idaho. We rode about 34 miles round trip from Ketchum to Belleview on Labor Day weekend. The trail had been surfaced recently, which made it one of the nicest trails I've ridden. We started early, and it was lucky we did, because it got hot! On the way back, once you get out of Hailey, it starts to cool off, because you are riding along the river. Nice trail, very unexpected, although not sure what I was expecting from Idaho.
In June I rode this trail as part of my quest (now completed) to have ridden at least one bike trail in the lower 48 states. This trail was one of the best and much better than I expected. The trail was easy to ride being asphalt and flat The sceneries were. Absolutely gorgeous. I would recommend this
The maintenance is outstanding. We just vacationed over the 4th of July and the trail is being repaved eliminating the freeze cracks. Bravo!
The Wood River Trail is the spine of the Wood River Valley paralleling route 75, an Idaho scenic byway. From the northern terminus of the trail, you can continue on the shoulder of 75 to SNRA Headquarters and beyond to Galena Lodge and Galena Summit (though the last 5 miles is a steep climb). You can branch from the WRT in several directions including East Fork Road to the old mining community of Triumph, Greenhorn Gulch, Elkhorn, Warm Springs, Adams Gulch, etc. The choices are nearly infinite. Two cautions. Watch out for the tunnels: use your voice or bell or horn before entering as careless riders may be coming at you in the wrong lane. And take plenty of water. Despite the mountains, it is high desert and dehydration can be an issue.
Outstanding bike path for road or to get you to local mtn trails.
This trail is perfect for commuting between Hailey and Ketchum or for a casual ride. You will see hard core roadie's and casual hybrids with kids on any given day. Or skate ski in the winter. If you come to Sun Valley be sure to ride this trail round trip North or South at least once. Clean air, great views, small hills it is a perfect paved trail with many off shoots to explore or leads you to many a great mountain bike single track trail as well.
Scott Montgomery
CEO
Club Ride
Sun Valley, ID
We rode this trail in August 2010 and it is wonderful. We rode one way and had a shuttle truck at the south end. It is very flat. Great ride.
"August 24th, 2005, we rode up hill from Hailey to Ketchum in the morning and had lunch followed by sightseeing. The ride back down hill was into the wind and more work than pleasure. Great paved path without much shade. Suggest you check wind direction and velocity before you bike here – the nature of the valley channels the wind the same direction as the trail. We didn’t head the advise Greg gave in his 3/15/04 review.
We also tried the Harriman Trail, north of Ketchum. Great for mountain bikes but not for our hybrid bikes – we ended up riding on the highway with it’s wide shoulders.
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"Overall, this is a good trail to ride on. The trail features some nice Idaho mountain scenery. Local weather effects tend to give the area a northerly wind at night and in the morning and a southerly wind in the afternoon and evening. If you want a double barrel tailwind start at Ketchum in the morning and ride to Bellevue in the morning then return to Ketchum in the afternoon. "
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