FATMAP by Strava

Best of Boise: Hiking in the Foothills

Explore a bounty of trails that begin from the city and extend to the hills and mountains above.

Hiking Easy, Moderate, Difficult

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Description

Boise is quickly gaining a reputation among the country’s best cities for access to trails. All around the town where the paved roads end, dirt paths extend onto the prairie slopes above and stretch to forested peaks on the horizon. This recreational bounty is largely thanks to Boise’s location at the foot of a mountain range, but the real credit goes to the city’s support of full-time crews which manage the trails. For many years, Boise has worked with intent to establish a world-class trail system, known as the Ridge to Rivers network.

There are trails for all kinds of uses, but hiking is by far the most popular pastime in the foothills. All the paths are open to foot travel, and most are shared with bikes and horses as well. In this guidebook, you’ll find all the best hikes that are easily reached from the city. Some even begin from the streets of downtown. Others are higher in elevation, among conifer forest above the heat of the valley. There’s a hike for every season––when wildflowers pop in spring and summer, foliage turns in the fall, and snow settles in the winter.

Whether you live in Boise or you’re just passing through, you can easily enjoy these beautiful trails that range from short to long. Please treat them with respect. The clay-rich soils of the Boise Foothills are highly erodible, so the trails get badly damaged when muddy. As signs at some trailheads say: “If you leave a track, turn back!” Luckily, Idaho’s climate provides many dry days and frozen mornings, so you can often find a time to stroll among nature at the edge of the city.

Routes included

Table Rock Loop

Table Rock Loop

Boise's #1 hike, plus bonus scenery by making the loop.

Difficult Hiking

Distance
6.2 km
Ascent
275 m
Descent
275 m

Stack Rock Trail

Stack Rock Trail

A hike through mountainside meadows and conifer forest high above Boise, overlooking the valley and reaching a stand-out rock formation at the end.

Moderate Hiking

Distance
13 km
Ascent
325 m
Descent
325 m

Ridge Crest and Central Ridge Loop

Ridge Crest and Central Ridge Loop

A loop with some elevation gain and varied scenery, using Ridge Crest and Central Ridge trails

Moderate Hiking

Distance
3.9 km
Ascent
114 m
Descent
114 m

Adelmann Mine

Adelmann Mine

Reach an abandoned gold mine with buildings still standing, by walking up a rough road through mountainside meadows.

Moderate Hiking

Distance
7.2 km
Ascent
392 m
Descent
392 m

Quarry Trail and Eagle Rock Loop

Quarry Trail and Eagle Rock Loop

Quick hike in the foothills near downtown, with striking geology and sweeping views of the city.

Moderate Hiking

Distance
3 km
Ascent
111 m
Descent
111 m

Hull's Gulch Interpretive Trail

Hull's Gulch Interpretive Trail

A hiker-only trail with gorgeous views and lessons on nature in the Boise Foothills.

Moderate Hiking

Distance
11 km
Ascent
342 m
Descent
342 m

Mores Mountain Interpretive Trail

Mores Mountain Interpretive Trail

A pleasant loop in the forest reaching the top of Mores Mountain, high above the heat in Boise

Moderate Hiking

Distance
3.4 km
Ascent
172 m
Descent
172 m

Homestead Trail

Homestead Trail

A steep hike through prime wildlife habitat, and with exceptional wildflowers in spring.

Moderate Hiking

Distance
7 km
Ascent
289 m
Descent
289 m
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