The hardest hikes in Idaho, by the numbers
Of the 70 trails in Idaho in our dataset, 14 (20 percent) rate strenuous or very strenuous on the gain-and-distance scale we use and run 3 to 30 miles with at least 1,500 ft of climb; all 14 are listed here, highest rating first.
Bannock Pass to Lemhi Pass leads with 4,330 ft of gain over 27.6 miles, 157 ft per mile, with a steepest pitch of 28 percent.
Across the 14, gain runs from 1,541 to 4,330 ft and distance from 4.1 miles to 27.6 miles; the median gain is 3,142 ft and the median distance 11.1 miles.
9 of the 14 are point-to-point routes; the rest are loop (2) or out-and-back (3).
| # | Trail | Miles | Gain (ft) | Ft per mile | Max grade | Elevation (ft) | Rating | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bannock Pass to Lemhi PassSouthwestern Idaho | 27.6 | 4,330 | 157 | 28% | 7,365 to 9,478 | 488.9 | |
| 2 | Lemhi Pass to Goldstone PassSouthwestern Idaho | 19.8 | 4,176 | 211 | 35% | 7,387 to 9,715 | 406.7 | |
| 3 | Chief Joseph PassEastern Idaho | 16.8 | 3,674 | 219 | 34% | 6,899 to 8,193 | 351.3 | |
| 4 | Alice-Toxaway LoopSouthwestern Idaho | 19.1 | 2,985 | 156 | 25% | 7,017 to 9,416 | 337.7 | |
| 5 | Seven Devils TrailSouthwestern Idaho | 14.8 | 3,710 | 251 | 31% | 6,486 to 8,051 | 331.4 | |
| 6 | Washington LakeSouthwestern Idaho | 14.7 | 3,055 | 208 | 23% | 7,689 to 9,565 | 299.7 | |
| 7 | Mount BairdEastern Idaho | 9.2 | 3,934 | 428 | 69% | 5,967 to 9,900 | 269 | |
| 8 | Truly Around the MountainSouthwestern Idaho | 12.8 | 2,051 | 160 | 38% | 6,198 to 6,967 | 229.1 | |
| 9 | Mount Cramer TrailSouthwestern Idaho | 9.3 | 2,184 | 235 | 28% | 7,398 to 9,494 | 201.5 | |
| 10 | Bald Mountain TrailSouthwestern Idaho | 5.3 | 3,229 | 609 | 27% | 5,764 to 8,993 | 185 | |
| 11 | Sawtooth LakeSouthwestern Idaho | 9.4 | 1,747 | 186 | 29% | 6,744 to 8,471 | 181.2 | |
| 12 | Scotchman PeakNorthern Idaho and Panhandle | 4.1 | 3,537 | 863 | 49% | 3,337 to 6,872 | 170.3 | |
| 13 | Robinson Creek TrailYellowstone NP | 6.9 | 1,738 | 252 | 46% | 6,359 to 7,383 | 154.9 | |
| 14 | Grand Mogul TrailSouthwestern Idaho | 7.7 | 1,541 | 200 | 32% | 6,569 to 7,586 | 154 |
How this list is ranked
Rating = the square root of 2 x elevation gain (ft) x distance (miles), the gain-and-distance formula Shenandoah National Park publishes for its own trails. Bands: under 50 easiest, 50 to 100 moderate, 100 to 150 moderately strenuous, 150 to 200 strenuous, 200 and over very strenuous.
This list: band strenuous (150 to 200) or very strenuous (200 and over), 3 to 30 miles, at least 1,500 ft of gain, ordered by rating desc, gain per mile desc, capped at 25. The rating column is computed from the miles and gain printed in the same row, the numbers each trail page uses, so every row can be checked from the row itself. The rating says nothing about exposure, scrambling, altitude or conditions.
Only trails with a full page count, so "Idaho" here means the 70 trails in Idaho in our dataset, not every trail in Idaho.
Each trail page shows the full elevation profile behind these numbers and the same data drawn as a topographic print, made to order. Start with Bannock Pass to Lemhi Pass.
Hardest hikes elsewhere.
The same ranking for other states in our dataset.