Whitefish Trail: Angry Beaver Lollipop

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

This trail system, located directly outside downtown Whitefish, takes bikers, runners, hikers and equestrians through mile upon mile of public and private lands. The trail is built like a beginner friendly flow trail, and is fun for all abilities. The Lion Mountain trailhead (used as an access point for this ride) can be quite busy at 5 PM weekdays, and middle of the day on the weekends (busy for Whitefish, that is).

"Angry Beaver Loop" is officially called "3-Mile Loop" or the Lollipop loop on the trail map. There are currently 5 trailheads you could access this section from, but the Lion Mountain Trailhead is the most popular and the one rideable from downtown.

Head out from the Lion Mountain trailhead, taking the first right to skip the "Family Loop." After about 1/4 mile, take a left on the forest road, this is just a variation to staying on the singletrack for the first mile of climbing.

After about a mile, you'll meet up with the singletrack trail again and continue out the lollipop "stem." After rejoining the trail, turn left and descend the cliff band. This is the most difficult section for beginner bikers just due to exposure, so have patience. Continue down, and up, and down and up.

Cross Two Bear Road (paved) and climb the gully and out through a clear cut opening for a mile or so. Then the descent down to Beaver Lake Road area. Right at the bottom on the road, after about 1/4 mile, take a left-hand turn for the singletrack.

The Loop
After about an 1/8 of a mile, you reach a 3-way trail intersection. This is the start of the "loop." Go left and continue on for a mile. You'll come to another intersection where you take a right and immediately cross a dirt road to continue on the singletrack.

Climb about a mile to another 3-way intersection where you'll head right to finish the climb to the top/middle of the loop. Enjoy a break on one of the 2 "summits" before a great descent back to the start/end of the loop. You'll cross another dirt road about 20 feet before the intersection that began the loop.

Head back the way you came.

There are a lot of intersections on this route, but it is well signedif not overly signed. Have fun.

Learn the story of the Whitefish Trail at whitefishlegacy.org/about-us/