The legendary Route of the Hiawatha opened for the 2025 season on May 23 and will run daily through September 21, 2025. Reservations are now being accepted, and shuttle buses will operate every day the trail is open.

Trail Hours

• Trail, trailheads, and facilities open daily at 8:30 AM (PST).
• Plan to begin your downhill ride no later than 1:00 PM to ensure you reach the bottom in time to catch a shuttle back up.

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Shuttle Schedules

Early Season (May 23 – June 6, 2025)

• Shuttles from Pearson to Roland begin loading at 11:00 AM.
• Last shuttle loads at 4:15 PM.

Peak Season (June 7 – August 31, 2025)

• Shuttles from Pearson to Roland begin loading at 11:00 AM.
• Last shuttle loads at 4:15 PM.
• Weekends & Holidays:
  • Saturday and Sunday shuttles begin loading around 10:45 AM.
  • Last shuttle departs at 5:45 PM.
  • On Sundays not followed by a holiday, the last shuttle departs at 5:00 PM.

Late Season (September 1 – 21, 2025)

• Shuttles from Pearson to Roland begin loading at 11:00 AM.
• Last shuttle loads at 4:15 PM.

👉 Shuttles will always continue until all guests are transported back to Roland.

The Route of the Hiawatha is open to certain types of e-bikes under the conditions of our USDA Forest Service Special Use Permit. Please review the guidelines below before planning your ride.

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What’s Allowed

• ✅ Class 1 E-Bikes – Permitted on the trail. These are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and the motor stops providing assistance at 20 mph.
• ✅ Class 2 E-Bikes (with disabled throttle) – Permitted if the throttle is completely disabled for the entire ride. Hiawatha Trail staff may check your bike to ensure it functions as a Class 1. Make sure when you pick your bike up, that we show you how to disable the throttle.

What’s Not Allowed

• ❌ Class 3 E-Bikes – Prohibited at all times.

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Shuttle Policy & Fees

• All e-bikes are subject to an additional $15 shuttle fee.
  • E-bikes are heavier and often do not fit standard racks, requiring special handling and equipment.
• The fee applies whether:
  • Paid in advance when possible, or
  • Charged at the trail if an e-bike is presented without prior notice.
• Riders always have the option to ride their e-bike uphill and avoid the additional shuttle fee.

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Trail & Shuttle Basics

• Shuttles operate between the Pearson and Roland trailheads only.
• Shuttles do not transport riders to or from Lookout Pass Ski Area.
• Guests must drive their own vehicles to the East Portal trailhead in Taft, MT. Take I-90 Exit 5 in Montana, then follow Route 506 for 2 miles and turn left into the East Portal parking area.

Most riders start at the East Portal trailhead, biking through the 1.661-mile St. Paul Pass (Taft) Tunnel and emerging at Roland. The downhill ride continues 14.4 miles to the bottom trailhead at Pearson. From there, shuttles carry riders and bikes back to Roland (about a 35-minute ride), and riders finish by biking back through the St. Paul Pass Tunnel to the East Portal.

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Shuttle Details

• Seating is first come, first served at the Pearson Trailhead.
• Shuttle sizes:
  • 24-passenger buses with bikes hooked inside.
  • 48-passenger buses with a truck & trailer for bikes.
• Shuttles depart as soon as they fill to reduce wait times.
• Expect longer waits if you reach Pearson after 12:30–1:00 PM on busy days.
• Average wait time is 30 minutes, but may exceed an hour on peak days.
• To minimize wait times, start your ride early at 8:30 AM.

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Important Note for E-Bikes & Specialty Equipment

Special shuttle rates apply for:

• E-Bikes
• Fat-tire bikes
• Recumbents
• Trikes
• Other oversized or specialty gear

⚠️ These items require additional staffing and equipment to safely transport due to their size and weight. Please plan accordingly.

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Quick Tips for Riders

• Ride early to enjoy cooler weather and shorter shuttle lines.
• Bring good lights for the long, dark tunnels (especially St. Paul Pass).
• The trail operates rain or shine, 7 days a week.
• Season dates and hours may shift due to weather.