The north Idaho panhandle city of Coeur d’Alene is the largest city in Kootenai County, but it’s also a satellite and bedroom community of Spokane, just 50 miles west over the Washington border. Coeur d’Alene has come into its own as a popular tourist destination. Its prime location on the banks of the sparkling glacial Lake Coeur d’Alene and surrounding mountains encourage limitless outdoor recreation opportunities, with scenic resorts serving as home bases. There are plenty of options for running in Coeur d’Alene, thanks to its centralized multi-use paths, abundance of trails, and scenic setting.
The most popular running routes in Coeur d’Alene utilize the North Idaho Centennial Trail, which runs along the lakefront close to the city center. Further south, the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes provides more miles on a paved rail trail. The best easy trail option close to the city is the scenic Tubbs Hill loop, but trail runners will find other options at the Mineral Ridge Recreation Trail, Canfield Mountain, and Farragut State Park.
Car travel is usually the simplest and fastest mode of transportation in Coeur d’Alene. However, the CityLink bus system provides free service across the Coeur d’Alene metropolitan area. For additional routes in the area, see our Spokane running guide.
