Itinerary
- Day 1
Missoula to Darby
You'll start with a 45-minute shuttle ride, then begin cycling up the Bitterroot River Valley where you can see the Bitterroot Range and Sapphire Mountains stretching out on either side. The route takes you past ranches and farmland, and guides will fill you in on prehistoric Lake Missoula as you pedal. By evening you'll settle into a cabin at Travellers Rest in Darby for two nights.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cycling up Bitterroot River Valley (38 miles regular route or up to 57.1 miles long route)
- Viewing evidence of prehistoric Lake Missoula shoreline
- Exploring Darby
Optional Activities
- Long route option (57.1 miles with additional elevation gain)
Landmarks Bitterroot River Valley Bitterroot Range Sapphire Mountains Lake Missoula (prehistoric) 
- Day 2
Darby
A short 15-minute shuttle gets you to a fishing access site where the cycling begins through lodgepole pine forest heading toward Painted Rocks Lake. The lake is known for its rainbow-hued lichen-covered granite walls that make for interesting photographs. Lunch happens at the lake, and then you can choose to relax and swim or keep cycling if energy allows. You'll return to Darby in the evening, with dinner on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Painted Rocks Lake)
Included Activities
- Cycling to Painted Rocks Lake (29.7 miles)
- Viewing Painted Rocks Lake and surrounding granite and rhyolite walls
- Swimming and relaxing at the lake (optional)
- Lunch at Painted Rocks Lake
Optional Activities
- Additional cycling from Painted Rocks Lake
- Swimming at Painted Rocks Lake
Landmarks Painted Rocks Lake - Day 3
Hamilton to Wisdom/Jackson or Montana High Country Guest Lodge
After an hour-long shuttle from Hamilton to the Montana-Idaho border, you'll cycle the historic Nez Perce route starting at Lost Trail Ski Area at 6,800 feet. The climb to Chief Joseph Pass reaches 7,250 feet, and from there it's a descent into Big Hole Valley with Pioneer Mountains in view. Stop at Big Hole National Battlefield to learn about 1877 events, then decide whether to hop in the van at Jackson or continue cycling 25 miles to Montana High Country Guest Lodge for a three-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cycling along Nez Perce historic route (44.1 miles to Jackson or 69.7 miles to lodge)
- Cycling over Chief Joseph Pass (7,250 ft)
- Stop at Big Hole National Battlefield
- Viewing Big Hole River and Pioneer Mountains
Optional Activities
- Van transport from Jackson to lodge
- Extended cycling route to lodge (additional 25 miles)
Landmarks Lost Trail Ski Area Chief Joseph Pass Big Hole National Battlefield Big Hole River Pioneer Mountains - Day 4
Montana High Country Guest Lodge
This is your rest day at the lodge in Grasshopper Valley. If your legs feel ready, you can hike to Sawtooth Lake, which is 6.6 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain. If not, relaxation is the better choice, taking in mountain air and checking out the local hot springs. Lunch fixings are available at the lodge so you can make a sandwich or pack one for an adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Access to local hot springs
- Optional hiking to Sawtooth Lake (6.6 miles, 1,500 ft gain)
Optional Activities
- Hiking to Sawtooth Lake
- Relaxing at the lodge
- Unplugging and absorbing mountain views
Landmarks Sawtooth Lake Grasshopper Valley - Day 5
Montana High Country Guest Lodge to Bannack
Cycling takes you to Bannack, Montana's first territorial capital and now a National Historic Landmark with the state's best-preserved ghost town. You'll explore log and frame structures from the 1860s gold rush when thousands came here looking for fortune. After lunch and walking through the town and park, you'll cycle back to the lodge where a celebration dinner kicks off the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Bannack), Dinner (Celebration dinner at the lodge)
Included Activities
- Cycling to Bannack (38.7 miles, approximately 8 miles on good gravel road)
- Exploring Bannack National Historic Landmark and ghost town
- Lunch in Bannack
Landmarks Bannack - Day 6
Montana High Country Guest Lodge to Missoula
You'll cycle a scenic byway running along the Pioneer Mountains with Granite Mountain Peak at 10,000 feet on one side and forested hills and mountain meadows on the other. The route gently climbs to a 7,800-foot divide between Wise River and Grasshopper Creek, passing ghost towns and abandoned silver mines along the way. After a fun descent into Wise River, the final stretch follows the Big Hole River before heading back to Missoula.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cycling Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway (47.7 miles)
- Viewing ghost towns and abandoned silver mines
- Cycling along Big Hole River
Landmarks Pioneer Mountains Granite Mountain Peak Anaconda Wilderness Area Wise River Big Hole River 
