- 15 miles of breathtaking Hells Canyon scenery.
- Typically 1-2 days one way.
- Physically challenging trail with elevation changes from 6,500 to 8,100 feet.
- Trailhead: Windy Saddle Trailhead
Overview
If you love to hike or ride horses, you’ll love Seven Devils Trail. This 15 mile trail is quite challenging, but the breathtaking scenery makes it worth the effort. It takes you through verdant alpine meadows and magnificent old growth trees, and past pristine mountain lakes. Wildflowers bloom during July and August, even in areas recovering from recent fires. Many of the canyon’s most majestic peaks can be seen from this trail. You might spot elk, mule deer, mountain goats, and even a black bear along the way.
Trailhead
Starting at Riggins, head south on ID-95 for a mile to Forest Road 517 (Seven Devils Road). Seven Devils Road quickly turns to gravel. It’s a steep, one lane road with turnouts. Fine for most cars and SUVs, it is not suitable for travel trailers or RVs. The trailhead is 17 miles in, and should take about an hour. The road is usually open from early July to the middle of October.
Details
- Distance: 15 miles one way, but can be extended to a 26.7 mile loop by continuing on Boise Trail at Horse Heaven (this loop is known as the Seven Devils Loop trail).
- Average Time of Hike: 1 to 2 days one way.
- Elevation Gain: 900 feet gain from the trailhead (7,200 ft.) to Horse Heaven (8,100 ft.), but the trail dips down to 6500 feet at its lowest point.
- Difficulty: More difficult
- Trail Type: one way
- Trailhead: Windy Saddle Trailhead
Plan & Prepare
The best time to access this trail is mid-July to the end of September. Keep in mind that during weekends and holidays the trail gets used heavily.
There are several campsites along the trail, so bring your camping gear. Since the elevation varies dramatically in Hells Canyon, come prepared for both cold and hot weather, even in the summer. Wear good hiking shoes as the trail includes slopes with loose rock.
Bring a water treatment kit and canteens or water bottles to carry water, as some parts of the trail have no water sources, and water is less available in the fall. If you’re on horseback, there are plenty of grazing opportunities.
