Over the Hill: Tubbs Hill is for everyone

COEUR d’ALENE — Tubbs Hill isn’t exactly what you’d call a well-kept secret in Coeur d’Alene: The spot is featured in travel guides, and its Main Loop Trail is one of the first to appear on AllTrails when searching the app for hikes in the area.  

Understandably, avid hikers can be wary of spots like these, traveling farther out of town for a trail that feels more “worth it.” But I think Tubbs Hill deserves the attention it gets — not every hike needs to be a hero’s journey, and it's nice to know there's a spot that has something for just about everyone.

The Main Loop Trail around the whole of Tubbs Hill is about 2 miles roundtrip, and the diversity of landscape you encounter in this shorter hike is truly remarkable. Taking the Main Loop Trail clockwise — which I recommend — starts you out among Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees, with views to the east that are especially gorgeous in the earlier hours in the morning. After coming out of the trees, the bulk of the trail offers panoramic views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the lakeshore when heading back north to complete the loop. The biggest challenge on this route, I’d argue, is resisting the urge to jump in the lake (which could be done if you can get behind a wet walk back to your car).  

The Main Loop Trail is only one option for exploring Tubbs Hill. Another is Summit Trail, which takes you to the top of Tubbs Hill with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain. While peaceful, the summit itself is a little underwhelming. The views are limited because you don’t get above the tree line, though there are partial views of the lake and downtown Coeur d’Alene about halfway up. Noise from ongoing construction downtown can also be heard for a lot of the trek up. However, if you take the Summit Trail north to south rather than turning around at the summit, you’ll descend through the trees and arrive back on the lake side of Main Loop Trail, making for a longer and more dynamic hike.

The beauty of Tubbs Hill, I think, is that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy it, which is often not the case with hiking trails. Every time I’ve hiked Tubbs Hill, I’ve seen both older people and young families with small children on the trails (not to mention plenty of dogs). Though the trails are unpaved and rocky in some areas, they’re well-maintained and clearly marked — perfect for beginner hikers. And who knows? Someone could discover a love for the outdoors they didn’t even know they had on Tubbs Hill.   

    A view of downtown Coeur d'Alene and beyond from about halfway up Summit Trail on Tubbs Hill.
  

    Main Loop Trail on Tubbs Hill offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Coeur d'Alene looking south.
  

    Heading east on Main Loop Trail on Tubbs Hill, looking over the tree line toward the eastern hills beyond.