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The Best Hiking in Mackay

Looking for the best hiking in Mackay? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mackay. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

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Top hiking spots in and near Mackay

  • Mackay, Idaho

    Hike to the Shay Trestle

    2 mi / 200 ft gain
    Mine Hill Tour is a self-guided driving tour focused on Mackay's mining history. Stops showcase artifacts of the once-vibrant towns that housed miners and their families.Much of the tour is available to passenger vehicles. Begin by picking up a Mine Hill Tour map from any local merchant in Mackay...
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Hike Mount McCaleb

    4 mi / 3500 ft gain
    Mt. McCaleb's beautiful south face towers over the little town of Mackay, Idaho. The domineering peak is seen from US-93 just waiting to be climbed. It's a part of the Lost River Range, which boasts seven of Idaho's nine 12K-foot peaks; at 11,682 feet tall, McCaleb is Idaho's 34th highest peak.Th...
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Hike to Lower Cedar Springs

    4.5
    3.4 mi / 200 ft gain
    This is one of the easiest, yet scenically rewarding, hikes in the Lost River Range. Traveling only 1.2 miles (3.4 miles round trip) with an elevation gain of about 200 ft. You travel in a canyon surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Idaho. Mt. McCaleb is the giant 11,682 ft peak on the ...
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Climb Mt. Breitenbach

    8 mi / 4600 ft gain
    Directions to the "trailhead": From Mackay, Idaho take Highway 93, approximately 2 miles past Mackay reservoir, turn right on Upper Cedar Creek road (FS rd 127). Follow this road straight toward the mountains. There will be a number of cattle gates to go through. About 3 miles up, the road crosse...
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Hike to Bear Creek Lake

    5.0
    6 mi / 1600 ft gain
    The trailhead starts at the end of an old jeep trail. If you are brave with your 4 wheel drive you can drive to here and cut 1.4 miles off your hike. My mile counting started at the trail head. The trail is very well marked. At about 0.3 miles it crosses Bear Creek. In the summer this will often ...
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  • May, Idaho

    Merriam Lake

    3.6 mi / 1490 ft gain
    Merriam Lake is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Mackay, Idaho.
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Lake Creek (Copper Basin) Trail

    11.14 mi / 1690 ft gain
    Lake Creek (Copper Basin) Trail is a loop trail located near Mackay, Idaho.
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Climb Mount Borah

    4.8
    7.5 mi / 5200 ft gain
    Rising high above the sage brush covered landscape, Mount Borah is the tallest mountain in Idaho and is referred to as the "roof of Idaho." This behemoth is part of the Lost River Range in the central part of the state. The strongest earthquake in Idaho occurred along the fault line in 1983 and r...
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Mount Borah Trail

    7.55 mi / 5072 ft gain
    Mount Borah Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Mackay, Idaho.
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Iron Bog Lake Trail

    3.77 mi / 1194 ft gain
    Iron Bog Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Mackay, Idaho.
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  • Moore, Idaho

    Chalis National Forest Natural Arch

    1.94 mi / 961 ft gain
    Chalis National Forest Natural Arch is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Moore, Idaho.
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Backpack through Surprise Valley to Lake 10148

    4.0
    13 mi / 2900 ft gain
    I have a hard time getting the word "legendary" out of my mind when referencing this hike. I liked it that much. The trailhead begins at 7200'; be prepared to drive 20 miles on a maintained gravel road to get there. The first 3 miles of this out-and-back hike are pretty flat, meandering through ...
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  • Hailey, Idaho

    Hike to Johnstone Pass

    5.0
    5.4 mi / 2200 ft gain
    Johnstone Pass is a diamond in a valley flush with hidden gems.Turn east onto East Fork Big Wood River Road from Highway 75. Continue through the defunct mining town of Triumph where the road turns to dirt and becomes Forest Service Road 118. At the fork stay right. Pass the Sawmill and Federal G...
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Hike to Kane Lake

    4.7
    6.8 mi / 1717 ft gain
    This hike into the Pioneer Mountain Range starts out in a small meadow near Kane Creek, which you will follow for nearly the whole hike. Once you hit the forested area the uphill climb begins and doesn't stop until you get to the lake. About half way up the trail will begin taking you through roc...
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  • Mackay, Idaho

    Hike to Big Fall Creek Falls

    0.5 mi / 200 ft gain
    Access the trailhead for Big Fall Creek Falls via Trail Creek Road. From Sun Valley the road is typically passable for sedans but is prone to producing flat tires. The parking area doubles as dispersed, free camping.Start the hike by crossing the creek on the log bridge. With the creek on your ri...
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  • Arco, Idaho

    Bike the Loop Road at Craters of the Moon National Monument

    7 mi / 500 ft gain
    Biking Crater of the Moon National Monument's seven mile loop road provides an intimate experience through a wild landscape.Park at the Visitor's Center. Grab a map and check out the interactive display explaining how Craters of the Moon was formed in the same tectonic event that birthed Yellowst...
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