John F. Kennedy stated it this manner, “Nothing compares to the straightforward pleasure of a motorbike trip.” I’d should agree.

In my dwelling state of Minnesota, biking alternatives abound. The League of American Bicyclists ranks Minnesota fifth within the nation in biking, and rightly so.

The land of 10,000 lakes additionally feels just like the land of 10,000 bike trails. Personally, my favourite trails are paved and off-road. I like the transformation from an outdated, deserted railroad mattress to a gorgeous Minnesota bike path, and that’s the story of a lot of them!

One other enchantment of biking is that it’s uncomplicated. Positive, you’ll be able to gear up, spend a bundle, and get a bunch of devices — we personal some ourselves. However on the finish of the day, it’s just about simply you, your helmet, and your bike; and hopefully, somebody to share the expertise with, which makes it all of the richer.

Listed here are 13 stunning trails (listed alphabetically by path title) to get you began on biking in Minnesota.

1. Cannon Valley Path

Cannon Falls To Crimson Wing (Southeastern MN)

19.7 Miles, Paved

The Cannon Valley Path is certainly one of our favourite “rails to trails” bike trails. It’s constructed on a former Chicago Nice Western Railroad line, which implies a low grade, or a reasonably flat trip. We find it irresistible as a result of it runs proper alongside the Cannon River and the mature bushes create a cover overhead. We frequently begin this trip on the midway level in Welch, the place there’s ample parking and sweeping valley views. One of many path anchors is Crimson Wing, which is an outdated river city fashionable for its gorgeous bluffs, retailers, and historical past.

Professional Tip: From April 1–November 1, these 18 and older must buy a Wheel Move when utilizing this path. Wheel move charges are $5 a day or $25 a season, and are topic to alter.

2. Central Lakes State Path

Osakis To Fergus Falls (North Central MN)

55 Miles, Paved

One other former railroad mattress turned paved bike path, the Central Lakes State Path was constructed on an deserted Burlington Northern Railroad hall. It winds previous lakes (no shock), farm fields, open grasslands, wetlands, and forests. I liked biking previous the outdated granaries, standing tall towards a transparent summer time sky. The trailhead in Fergus Falls has lots of parking and we discovered that the path south of Fergus Falls is among the most scenic components.

Bonus: This path connects to the Lake Wobegon Path. When you’re feeling bold, you’ve received 120 miles of paved path forward of you!

Fergus Falls is in Otter Tail County, and apparently, happy with it. At 40 ft lengthy, Otto the otter is sort of spectacular!

Professional Suggestions: No charges or passes are required for cyclists to make use of state trails. Settle the path mud with a chilly brew from Copper Path Brewing, Alexandria. For nice eats and recent juices of all types, strive The Fabled Farmer in Fergus Falls, on the other finish of the path.

3. Dakota Regional Path

Wayzata To St. Bonifacius

13.5 Miles, Paved

As soon as once more, we now have an outdated railroad to thank for stunning biking on the Dakota Regional Path. It delivers attractive views of the bays and inlets of Lake Minnetonka, plus golf programs, Gale Woods Farm, bridges, and wooded areas.

Bonus: West of St. Bonifacius, you’ll be able to decide up a further 12.5 miles of paved path into the city of Mayer. 

Professional Tip: There isn’t a payment for basic use of Three Rivers parks and trails, however particular actions could require both a move, allow, or parking payment.

4. Grand Rounds

South Minneapolis (Uptown Space)

51 Miles, Paved

If you wish to see the perfect of Minneapolis, try the Grand Rounds bike path that follows the scenic byway of the identical title. This city bike loop provides you a style of nice surroundings, historic websites, artwork, gardens, buying, and eating. It follows the Chain of Lakes (Lakes Nokomis, Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake of the Isles), previous Minnehaha Creek, Minnehaha Falls, and the downtown riverfront alongside the Mississippi River.

Flower lovers can’t miss the wildflower backyard at Theodore Wirth Park — the oldest public wildflower backyard within the U.S. — or the Lyndale Park Rose Backyard at Lake Harriet. On the way in which, trip or stroll throughout the long-lasting 1883 Stone Arch Bridge (pedestrian/bike solely and the one certainly one of its form over the Mississippi).

Professional Tip: The Twin Cities has an intensive community of motorbike trails. This one is a famous person, however there’s much more the place this got here from.

5. Concord-Preston Valley State Path

Concord To Preston (Southeastern MN)

18 Miles, Paved

The Concord-Preston Valley State Path is one other railroad-grade path that passes via lush wooded areas and wealthy farmland. Concord is the southern trailhead and claims to be the “Largest Little City in Southern Minnesota.” It’s additionally Amish nation. Get pleasure from — and sure, give your bank card a exercise — the standard woven baskets, wood toys, furnishings, rugs, and baked items on the market in retailers and farmers markets.

Bonus: The Concord-Preston Valley State Path additionally intersects with the 42-mile Root River State Path.

Professional Tip: Test the path map (PDF) for steep hills on the southern finish of this path, and plan accordingly. An “out-and-back” at all times works right here.

6. Heartland State Path

Park Rapids To Cass Lake (Northwestern MN)

49 Miles, Paved

The Heartland State Path was one of many first rail-to-trail tasks within the nation. It’s marked by glacial lakes, flowing streams, and the Chippewa State Forest, which has a big inhabitants of bald eagles there and within the surrounding space.

Bonus: The Heartland State Path connects with the Paul Bunyan State Path and different regional trails. It is just 21 miles from Itasca State Park and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. 

7. Luce Line State Path 

Plymouth To Cosmos (Twin Cities And West)

63 Miles, Numerous Surfaces

The Luce Line State Path is one other former railroad-grade path. The trip begins in a wooded setting with sugar maple and basswood bushes then advances west into the tallgrass, open prairie. This path additionally provides you the prospect to trip your bike on each form of biking floor:

• Plymouth 30 miles west to Winsted – crushed limestone
• Winsted to Hutchinson – paved
• Hutchinson to Cedar Mills – crushed granite (bigger than crushed limestone so the biking is extra rugged)
• Cedar Mills to Cosmos – pure path (mowed grass)

Professional Tip: For prairie areas with out lots of shade cowl, make sure to have sunscreen and loads of water and snacks.

8. Medication Lake Regional Path

Plymouth To Maple Grove

20.7 Miles, Paved

The Medication Lake Regional Path connects each Elm Creek Park Reserve and Fish Lake and French Regional Parks. It supplies nice views of Rice Lake in Maple Grove and Medication Lake in Plymouth. The trip round Medication Lake may be very scenic, with towering bushes, stunning properties, parks, seashores, and even a lined bridge.

Bonus: The path provides you entry to the Bassett Creek and Luce Line Regional Trails, in addition to many neighborhood trails.

Professional Tip: Each the Medication Lake Regional Path and the Dakota Regional Path are part of the Three Rivers Park District.

9. Mississippi River Path/US Bicycle Route 45 – Minnesota Section

Itasca To The Iowa Border, Following The Mississippi River

Roughly 600 miles, Paved With Highway Driving

Think about exploring the Mississippi River on a bicycle, from the river’s headwaters, via 10 states, all the way in which to the Gulf of Mexico! Minnesota’s phase of the Mississippi River Path (MRT) hyperlinks 10 state parks, state and regional trails, 5 campuses, plus scenic overlooks, historic and geological markers, locks and dams, streetscapes, and extra. It makes use of current bike trails the place potential but additionally follows the shoulders of low-traffic, paved roads. This path is the granddaddy of all of them and incorporates a few of the different Minnesota bike trails already named.

10. Paul Bunyan State Path

Brainerd To Bemidji (North Central MN)

100 Miles, Paved

The Paul Bunyan State Path traverses via distinctive small cities, mighty forests (that is the north nation, in any case), clear blue lakes and rivers, and extra. The 9-mile phase via the Chippewa Nationwide Forest has rolling hills, curves, and an 8 % grade, which is important, relying on health stage. Though not with out hills, one different is to make use of the Shingobee Connection paved path to Walker.

Bonus: This path intersects with the Mississippi River Path and the Heartland State Path.

Professional Tip: Don’t miss the appeal of small-town Minnesota with such wonders as a large Paul Bunyan and his sidekick, Babe the Blue Ox. Bemidji claims to be Paul’s birthplace, and who am I to argue? The 18-foot-tall statue is sort of convincing.

11. Root River State Path 

Fountain To Houston (Southeastern MN)

42 Miles, Paved

The Root River State Path is a gem, with its dramatic bluffs, meandering river views, and southeastern Minnesota appeal. Watch the steep, half-mile phase between Vinegar Ridge and Houston. The incline to Fountain can be difficult.

Professional Tip: Lanesboro is a pleasant city with retailers, eating places, a theater, and lodging of each form, from charming mattress and breakfasts to woodland cabins and inns. It’s an excellent place to discover or keep in a single day in the event you’re within the space. 

12. Sakatah Singing Hills State Path

Mankato To Faribault (Southern MN)

39 Miles, Paved

This bike path and corresponding Sakatah Lake State Park take their title from the Dakota tribe, translated “Singing Hills.” Certainly, the hills sing right here, courtesy of historic glaciers that dropped mounds of rocks and minerals (known as moraines) to create rolling hills. Worry not, the Sakatah Singing Hills State Path is on a former railroad mattress and pretty flat. It follows a stretch of the Cannon River and passes by many lakes and farmland.

13. Willard Munger Path

Hinkley To Duluth (East Central/Northeastern MN)

70 Miles, Paved

The Willard-Munger State Path is one other “rails to trails” and an excellent selection for biking. The path has lots of selection with rock partitions and sweeping views passing close to Banning, Moose Lake, and Jay Cooke State Parks.

Path Maps

Maps for a lot of the trails might be discovered on the official web site of the Minnesota Division of Pure Sources. Different path maps might be discovered right here:

Do you ever really feel such as you’re flying once you’re in your bike? Seems, you’re in good firm. For inspiration, Wilbur and Orville Wright thought of the standard bicycle and made a artistic connection between biking and flying. When using a motorbike, it’s important to lean to retain stability, they usually realized they might apply that very same idea to flight. And the remaining, as they are saying, is historical past.

So go forward, the subsequent time you get in your bike, fly. (Even when it’s solely in your thoughts.) You’ll be able to’t go fallacious once you hit the path on any of the attractive bike trails in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes.

Associated Studying: