Bikepacking Route
This route leaves Whitefish and wanders along mostly dirt roads through the Whitefish Range. The opening portion follows the classic Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and offers a high chance of seeing other inspiring riders headed southbound from Banff! Along the way, there are options to pedal up to Werner Peak Lookout for a night of 360 views as well as a few singletrack trails paralleling the road.
The first half of the ride will pass by a few lakes, including the beautiful Red Meadow Lake atop the pass, where swimming in the refreshing and crystalline waters will reinvigorate any rider. After cresting the pass at Red Meadows, the route cuts down into the North Fork Valley with glorious views of Glacier National Park peaking through all the way to Polebridge. This classic Montana “town” sits right on the North Fork of the Flathead River and the border of Glacier National Park.
The next portion of ride cruises through the Inside North Fork Road of Glacier National Park. A few years ago, flooding washed out the road and closed it to vehicles, leaving a 20-mile section of dirt road bliss. The road wanders along the foothills of the massive peaks the Livingston Range, through old-growth forests, regrowing burns, and glacial-fed creeks tinted slightly turquoise and grey with rock-flower.
Connecting from Glacier National Park with brief periods of pavement, the dirt continues in a final push through logging roads above Columbia Falls. Broad views of the Flathead Valley and fast dirt make for a fun finish as the route returns to Whitefish, where fresh beer, ice cream, and greasy food wait to reward satisfied riders.
There is an optional gravel roads or single track connection to and from this route at the Whitefish Bike Retreat as well as the free WBR town shuttles for our guests. The WBR Staff is here to help you find the best route options for your adventure.
The first half of the ride will pass by a few lakes, including the beautiful Red Meadow Lake atop the pass, where swimming in the refreshing and crystalline waters will reinvigorate any rider. After cresting the pass at Red Meadows, the route cuts down into the North Fork Valley with glorious views of Glacier National Park peaking through all the way to Polebridge. This classic Montana “town” sits right on the North Fork of the Flathead River and the border of Glacier National Park.
The next portion of ride cruises through the Inside North Fork Road of Glacier National Park. A few years ago, flooding washed out the road and closed it to vehicles, leaving a 20-mile section of dirt road bliss. The road wanders along the foothills of the massive peaks the Livingston Range, through old-growth forests, regrowing burns, and glacial-fed creeks tinted slightly turquoise and grey with rock-flower.
Connecting from Glacier National Park with brief periods of pavement, the dirt continues in a final push through logging roads above Columbia Falls. Broad views of the Flathead Valley and fast dirt make for a fun finish as the route returns to Whitefish, where fresh beer, ice cream, and greasy food wait to reward satisfied riders.
There is an optional gravel roads or single track connection to and from this route at the Whitefish Bike Retreat as well as the free WBR town shuttles for our guests. The WBR Staff is here to help you find the best route options for your adventure.
