International Selkirk Loop
Department of Transportation.
Marvel at the awesome beauty of the International Selkirk Loop as it encircles the wild Selkirk Mountains for 280 miles (including British Columbia). Play on crystal clear rivers and lakes, or traverse mountain trails to view snowcapped peaks and wildlife diversity. Explore charming communities with fascinating history, fun festivals, and picturesque settings.
Directions
Getting to the Byway:
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Take US-95 north to Sandpoint, ID where you enter the byway.
Coeur d'Alene, ID
* Take ID-95 north
* Turn onto I-90 westbound.
* Take State Hwy 41 toward Spirit Lake/Rathdrum.
* Take ID-41 to Newport, WA.
* Join the byway on SR 2 in Newport.
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Take US-95 north to Sandpoint, ID where you enter the byway.
Coeur d'Alene, ID
* Take ID-95 north
* Turn onto I-90 westbound.
* Take State Hwy 41 toward Spirit Lake/Rathdrum.
* Take ID-41 to Newport, WA.
* Join the byway on SR 2 in Newport.
Navigating the Byway:
The U.S. portion of the International Selkirk Loop consists of four connected state scenic byways- two in Washington and two in Idaho - and begins at the U.S./Canada international border.
####Washington's North Pend Oreille State Scenic Byway Segment####
* Starting at the U.S./Canada international border crossing north of the Town of Metaline Falls, Washington, the International Selkirk Loop follows the North Pend Oreille State Scenic Byway south along SR 31 through the Washington towns of Metaline Falls, Metaline, Ione, and into Tiger to the junction of SR 31 and SR 20.
####Washington's Pend Oreille Valley State Scenic Byway####
* From Tiger, Washington, the Loop continues south on Washington SR 20, overlaying the Pend Oreille Valley Scenic Byway.
* The byway follows the Pend Oreille River from Newport past the small communities of Cusick and Usk and into Newport, Washington, and the junction of SR 20 with US 2.
* Travelers continuing on the International Selkirk Loop must proceed straight (east) at the flashing red light at the junction of SR 20 and US 2.
####Idaho's Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage State Scenic Byway Segment####
* Oldtown, Idaho, adjoins Newport, Washington, on the east and is the westerly entry to the Idaho segment of the International Selkirk Loop.
* From here the Loop follows US 2, the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage State Scenic Byway, along the course of the Pend Oreille River.
* Continuing easterly on US 2 the International Selkirk Loop leads through the communities of Laclede, ID and Dover, ID to the junction of US 2 with US 95 in Sandpoint, ID.
####Idaho's Wild Horse Trail State Scenic Byway Segment####
* Incorporating the Wild Horse Trail State Scenic Byway, the International Selkirk Loop continues north through downtown Sandpoint, ID on US Highway 95.
* From the junction of US 2 with US 95 in Sandpoint, ID, Loop travelers follow signs for US 95 north through a couple of one-way streets and continue on US 95 to the City of Ponderay, ID.
* In Ponderay, ID the byway turns north at the junction of US 95 with Idaho State Highway 200.
* The International Selkirk Loop continues north on US 95 from Ponderay, ID to the City of Bonners Ferry, ID.
* From here the Loop continues north on US 95 to its junction with SH 1 in the city of Copeland, ID.
* Loop travelers turn left onto SH 1 and follow it to the U.S./Canada border crossing at Porthill, Idaho, the northern terminus of the U.S. section of the International Selkirk Loop.
