Bikers, joggers and skiers are all welcome on Latah Trail. Spanning 12 miles from Moscow to the small town of Troy, Idaho, the trail offers a paved path through nature.
It follows the skeleton of an old railroad track through changing scenes of fields and evergreen trees.
To the west, the Chipman trail heads to Pullman instead. The seven-mile path connects Idaho and Washington.
Parallel to Pullman Road, this busier path is well-loved by local skaters and bikers. Students lugging groceries often take the path as it leads directly to the University of Idaho campus.
Visible on the horizon, Moscow Mountain overlooks the rolling hills of the Palouse.
The mountain is a spot to enjoy hiking, mountain biking and beautiful views. At 4.1 miles, the hiking path takes about two hours to complete, recommended for an intermediate hike.
Idler’s Rest offers a casual loop hike on an easy 1.3-mile path. The short 40-minute walk takes hikers over bridges and streams. Dogs on leashes are welcome to tag along.
Among other activities, the preserve is a good, quiet spot for birdwatching.
University of Idaho’s disc golfing course offers a casual outdoor activity right on campus. For varying skill levels, it can be played with any group.
The course is located on grassy hills by the Kibbie Dome parking lot with nine total baskets.
UI Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Also known as the Arb, one can wander through a variety of plants organized by the continent of their origins. A walking path circles the ponds to make a 1.4 mile trail.
In the winter, students can be seen on makeshift sleds, flying down the hill to the Arb. The pond freezes and trees glimmer, dotted by icicles from Moscow’s cold weather.
In the spring, flowers bloom and the campus’ modest wildlife comes out. Geese flock and turtles congregate in the pond.
While Moscow may be a modest-sized town, it features over a dozen public parks. Here are some of the notable ones.
East City Park – 900 East 3rd St.
At seven acres, the park is one of the largest in the area. It often hosts events throughout the year. From political protests to the annual Renaissance Fair, it serves as a venue to Moscow’s culture.
Dog Park – 2019 White Ave.
As any dog lover knows, watching your pooch play outside can be both tiring and entertaining. The fenced-in area has benches for owners and space for pets to run.
Skate Park – 1515 East D Street
Right by Moscow Middle School, the park has multiple ramps for both experienced and aspirational skaters.
Virgil Phillips Farm Park – 4701-4709 US-95
Venturing further out, Virgil Farm has everything from hiking trails to wetlands, featuring a variety of terrain.
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Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq