2026: Must-Ride Trails in Boise

As the 2026 riding season is just around the corner, I’ve been thinking about the trails I want to ride and the best descents Boise has to offer. Whether you're looking for a quick after-work escape or an all-day adventure, these are the trails I'm most excited to ride again this year. Boise offers a solid variety of trails and these are the trails that I suggest you check out in 2026.

Click the list below to see my Strava data from these rides.

1. Dry Creek Trail (w/mahalo) (Self-Shuttle)
2. Sweet Connie Shuttle (Self-Shuttle)
3. Around the Mountain (Analog Ride)
4. Lower Hulls Gulch (Analog Ride / Self-Shuttle)
5. Bob’s Trail (Analog Ride)

Self-Shuttle Rides

For those who love maximizing their downhill time, these trails are best enjoyed with a shuttle to save your legs for the descents.

1. Dry Creek Trail

Dry Creek Trail is the best trail in Boise. Hands down, everyone knows it. The best way to experience this ride, in my opinion, is to shuttle it. With the shuttle services being shut down, you gotta self-shuttle (see my other blog if you don't know how to manage this). Parking at Ridge Road and riding over to Mahalo then down to Dry Creek is the best method.

If you’ve got the legs, and the willingness to venture to the backside of the Boise Ridge, adding Mahalo into this loop is amazing. You'll start on Ridge Road where Around the Mountain crosses the road, ride a short distance on the ridge road to Mahalo, come back out on the Ridge Road, ride the ridge road down to Dry Creek Trail, and spend a good chunk of your ride in the trees, crossing Dry Creek over and over (I'll be making a Ride Guide for this route in 2026). Be sure to keep your eyes open for the skinny features to get over the creek dry. Especially if you're doing this shuttle in the spring, the creek can be high and you're going to get wet.

Dry Creek is a fun, flowy single-track with plenty of momentum to keep you smiling. This ride never gets old, seriously I love this trail. The lush, tree-covered sections of Dry Creek are a refreshing contrast to Boise’s typical high-desert landscape.

NOTE: This is a popular trail for hikers to climb up, so keep your eyes open, use a bell, and communicate your group size. Dry Creek Trail can be very busy on Saturdays during the spring and summer. Watch your descending speed! There are many spots on the trail that it is difficult to dangerous for hikers to try and clear quickly. Be respectful and give them time to respond safely.

2. Sweet Connie Shuttle

Sweet Connie is my favorite shuttle. It’s the one I always take people on who are new to the area. It’s got a mix of riding in the pines along Freddy's Stack Rock Connector and that classic high desert Boise Foothills flow.

You’re able to park at the Stack Rock parking lot and ride parallel to Bogus Basin Road all the way down. The descent starts off smooth and fast through the trees before transitioning into the open foothills, where the speed picks up, and the fun really begins. Some of the corners have a sandy base so be careful on the hot dry summer days. This trail is another popular one for hikers and trail runners.

Analog Rides

For those who enjoy earning their descents, these pedal-friendly routes provide incredible rewards for the effort.

3. Around the Mountain

Now, I gonna be honest, I didn’t make it out to Around the Mountain in 2025, but the trail is too good not to be included in this list. This loop is amazing, and with the new trails added at the end of the loop, it’s even longer than it has been in years past and I've heard great things about the additional milage the trail team has put into this loop.

My favorite part is the descent from Ridge Road to the backside of Bogus. If you’ve ridden it, you know exactly what I’m talking about! It’s flowy and fun with some random tech mixed in. The loop has a solid climb at the start and end, leaving the downhill smack in the middle. It’s a great mix of XC and flow, making it one of the most well-rounded rides in the area. Bogus Basin’s Around the Mountain trail is a classic, it’s the perfect mix of smooth single-track, sweeping views, and fun technical sections. The best part? The vibes changes with the seasons, making it a must-ride multiple times throughout the year.

4. Lower Hulls Gulch

Lower Hulls is classic Boise. It's a great option for looping in with Crestline, Red Cliffs, or just a straight climb up 8th Street.

It's just long enough to enjoy sessioning it and just technical enough to make you want to do another lap. This is my go-to trail for after-work sunset rides. The mix of flow and rocky sections keeps it engaging, and the accessibility makes it a staple in my riding routine. For a quick and satisfying ride, Lower Hulls Gulch never fails.

5. Bob’s Trail

Bob’s Trail is quickly becoming my favorite trail in the lower foothills. It’s a lot like Lower Hulls Gulch, but with just a little more technical challenge and rock sections. The mix of flow and chunk makes it a great option for riders looking to refine their skills without an exhausting climb.

My only complaint is that it’s difficult to loop due to the limited connecting trails. I wrote a blog highlighting all the features on this trail—check it out here. If you haven’t ridden Bob’s yet, make sure to put it on your list!

I'm sure there is a trail that I missed, feel free to share the trails you're excited about riding in the comments.

Forever two wheels!

-Myles