chase thrills on two wheels Find a range of biking experiences, from scenic trails on former railroads and forested paths to urban routes and world-class mountain bike trails. MOUNTAIN BIKING One of the world’s only gold-level International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) ride centers, the Duluth Traverse is a 40-mile network of mountain bike trails. Take your ride to another level on Spirit Mountain , a downhill mountain bike park with amazing views of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River. With 24 trails ranging from easy to expert, bikers of all ages can enjoy. Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails is one of 15 IMBA Silver Level Ride Centers in the world. Located at the site of a former iron ore mine, Cuyuna lets beginners and pros alike ride 70+ miles of trails with an impressive variety of terrain and experiences. There’s year-round riding with detailed guidelines by season. LONG DISTANCE BIKING Minnesota is home to 4,000+ miles of paved bike trails. The North Star Route , also known as U.S. Bicycle Route 41, covers 315 miles from St. Paul to the Canadian border with roughly half the trail hugging the North Shore of Lake Superior. Winding through two national parks units and connecting to nine state parks, nearly half the route is on state and regional trails. USBR41 also passes through two nationally recognized bicycle-friendly communities, Duluth and Grand Marais. Located largely on road shoulders, the Mississippi River Trail (USBR45) includes segments of scenic state, regional and local trails. It winds through pine forests, soaring river bluffs and many natural and cultural highlights in major cities. At 115 miles, Paul Bunyan State Trail is the longest of Minnesota’s state trails and the longest continuously paved rail trail in the country. It stretches from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park. Take in outstanding views of the towering limestone bluffs on Root River State Trail . Constructed on an abandoned railroad, this trail meanders 42 miles from Fountain to Houston along the Root River. URBAN BIKING Pedal at your own pace along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway , one of the country’s best urban trails. This 51-mile loop connects the downtown Minneapolis waterfront, Mississippi River, Minnehaha Falls and Chain of Lakes. Take a break at one of the many parks, playgrounds, gardens and lakes along the way. Within the Twin Cities, you can bike to restaurants, breweries, parks and other attractions with convenient shared bike, e-bike and scooter services such as Lime, Veo and Spin. 36 | ExpLorE MINNESOTA .coM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2026 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 36
