The Best Bike Trails in Minnesota – and More!

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Written by: Roger Fulton

Last Updated: 17 Oct 2025

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Minnesota’s appeal as a destination for thrill-seeking travellers lies in its abundant natural scenery and extensive range of outdoor adventures. 

Tucked up on the US/Canada border, alongside Lake Superior, Minnesota has been dubbed both the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ and ‘The North Star State’ and boasts a bounty of scenic treasures from pristine wilderness to pine forests and hillsides. Miles of lakes, trails and woods draw outdoor enthusiasts to its one national park (Voyageurs), 64 state parks, 9 recreation areas, and 9 waysides scattered across the state. Attracting more than 10 million visitors a year, these parks are natural playgrounds for activities and adventures on water or on land, such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking and biking, as well as rock climbing, scuba diving, paddleboarding and zip lines.

Minnesota is also the source of the mighty Mississippi River which begins as a small stream at Itasca State Park in the northwest, winds its way across the state and through the Twin Cities, widening as it flows below the beautiful bluffs of southeastern Minnesota. 

And if you still fancy a little big city hustle and bustle, the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area is a vibrant and diverse cultural centre filled with music, nightlife, sports, art and shopping. Moreover, access to all this is easy for British holidaymakers, who can make the most of daily direct flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul from London Heathrow with Delta Air Lines.

Biking in Minnesota is heaven. Year after year, Minnesota is ranked among the most bike-friendly states in America, with Minneapolis named the best city for biking in 2024.

The state is home to more than 4,000 miles of paved bike paths, plus a whopping 70,000 miles of public gravel roads and hundreds of miles of unpaved bike trails winding through forests, farmland, flat prairie, rolling hills, and river valleys. 

If you’re planning on hitting the Minnesota biking trails, here are some of the best places to start:

Paved bike trails in Minnesota

Itasca State Park

Distance: 17 miles

Bike touring the Mississippi River is an epic journey that draws countless cyclists to the state every year. And the place to begin is with a magnificent ride through Itasca State Park. Start by dipping your back wheel in the headwaters of the Mississippi River, then ride past Peace Pipe Vista, the Pioneer Cemetery, and old-growth pines at Preacher’s Cove.

Highlights: Stop to admire the state’s tallest white pine, visit an historic bison kill site, or look out for otters, mink, and deer. Autumn adds the brilliance of fall colours to the scenic views, as rolling hills and winding curves reveal a colourful, highly photogenic landscape.

The Mississippi River Trail

Distance: 620 miles

Appetite whetted from your gentle beginning at Itasca State Park, it’s time for the main course. The Minnesota section of the truly epic 10-state Mississippi River Trail follows the river all the way down to the Iowa border through pine forests, limestone bluffs, and a dozen cities big and small.

Running largely on road shoulders, the route also includes segments of scenic state, regional and local trails. It winds through ancient pine woods, soaring river bluffs, and an abundance of natural and cultural highlights in Minnesota’s major cities. It’s also a relatively flat route. In fact, the steepest climb of the road route is 578 feet and is on the 17-mile Apple Blossom Scenic Byway.

Highlights: Riders can look forward to incredible views of the Mighty Mississippi and Vermillion Falls in Hastings. Breathtaking bluffs and the world’s largest boot also beckon in Red Wing. And further downriver, the stretch known as the Apple Blossom Scenic Byway provides scenic overlooks with dazzling panoramic views. 

The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway 

Distance: 50 miles

The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway connects more than 50 miles of off-street urban bike trails, winding through Minneapolis and St. Paul, alongside lakes and the Mississippi River. For those staying in the Twin Cities, this is an unbeatable way to explore nearly all of Minneapolis by bike - whether you tackle the full loop or ride it in smaller segments.

It’s no surprise Minneapolis attracts so many plaudits as a bike-friendly city. Whether you want beautiful scenery and skyline views, historic sites and museums, or a tour of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods, it's as close to a comprehensive bike circuit as you'll find.

Highlights: A typical route might include a visit to the Mississippi Riverfront in downtown Minneapolis, where you can see some of the city’s oldest surviving structures. From there, head into the woods at Theodore Wirth Park , where the city lights shimmer in the distance. Other iconic stops along the Grand Rounds include Minnehaha Falls and the Chain of Lakes —a scenic group made up of Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles.

Foodie Tip: In Minnehaha take time out for a bite at the Sea Salt Eatery – serving wonderful fresh seafood, wine & beer daily from April to October.

The Paul Bunyan State Trail

Distance: 115 miles

Named after the state’s mythical giant lumberjack, the scenic and varied PBST is the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the state and the sixth-longest in the US. It connects the towns of Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Pine River, and Hackensack to Walker and Bemidji, following the abandoned path of a 19th-century railroad built for the logging industry, a key part of the region's history.

One of the most scenic bike trails in Minnesota, picture-postcard lakes, sprawling meadows, and secluded woods with tall canopies provide a calming backdrop for your ride, which is also fairly flat due to its railroad origins. 

The route extends north from Crow Wing State Park pretty much slap bang in the middle of the state, all the way to Lake Bemidji State Park . Future extensions will connect the Paul Bunyan with the 74-mile Blue Ox Trail to complete a 210-mile rail-to-trail conversion.

Highlights: Apart from the scenic beauty of the trail’s blend of lush forests and numerous lakes and rivers, there are also many small trail towns to explore. There are statues of Paul Bunyan and his legendary blue ox at the northern end of the trail. 

The Root River State Trail

Distance: 42 miles

Also built on an old railway track, the Root River State Trail is one of the state’s better-known paved trails and is sometimes referred to as ‘the Cadillac of Trails’.

It meanders from Fountain to Houston through southeastern Minnesota’s famous Driftless Region, also known as the Blufflands, due to the steep bluffs and cliffs around the river valleys. The term ‘driftless’ refers to the area’s unglaciated landscape. Unlike the rest of the Midwest, it was not covered by glaciers during the last Ice Age, so its landscape features steep forested hills, deeply carved valleys, and extensive limestone caves and springs that formed without glacial smoothing. 

It all makes for unique ecosystems with cold-water trout streams, rare plants, and plays a vital role as a stop for migratory birds. Surrounded in sections by fields of wildflowers and towering limestone bluffs, this rail-to-trail runs mostly flat as it passes over rail bridges and the occasional small dam.

Highlights: Attractions along the way include Minnesota's longest known cave, the Mystery Cave in Preston, where you can see stalactites, stalagmites, beautiful underground pools, and a maze of interconnecting passages.  Also worth a stop are the International Owl Centre in Houston, and the giant sinkhole in Fountain. 

Foodie tip: Plentiful restaurants and B&Bs make this route ideal for a relaxing multi-day trek.

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail 

Distance: 33 miles

Biking in northern Minnesota is a must. And this trail is perfect for catching the beauty of Lake Superior’s North Shore, with some wonderful dramatic lake views, and also spectacular views of Gooseberry Falls and Beaver Bay. The longest continuous paved section is nearly 18 miles and runs between Gooseberry Falls and Silver Bay. Beautiful birch and aspen trees border the trail, but the pedalling can be difficult; several steep hills and curves may pose a challenge to some riders.

A projected extension of the trail will connect the towns of Two Harbors and Grand Marais, taking its length to 88 miles. 

Highlight: One spur of the trail leads to the Split Rock Lighthouse – one of the most photographed locations in the state and considered one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the entire United States. Completed in 1910, in response to a series of shipwrecks, it stands on a precipitous 133-foot (41 m) sheer cliff eroded by wave action at its base.

Mountain biking in Minnesota

Minnesota is a must-ride for mountain bikers. From lift-served downhill trails in Duluth, to the legendary red dirt at Cuyuna, you'll find outstanding mountain bike trails across the state. Here are the best areas to head for:

Duluth

Famous as the birthplace of Bob Dylan, Duluth is renowned in MTB circles as a world-class mountain biking destination. With four trails, Duluth’s Spirit Mountain ski resort is Minnesota’s premier downhill mountain biking home, providing fun for both novices and seasoned riders. And sweeping views of Lake Superior provide a ready excuse for taking a beat. Spirit even offers lift service for fat bikes in the winter.

Duluth also boasts the Duluth Traverse, a unique 100-mile connector trail that unifies the Lake Superior port city's many trail heads into one huge network.

Cuyuna

This former mining area in central Minnesota is legendary for its ‘red dirt’ and a unique landscape created by 70 years of iron ore mining. Its trail system in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is recognised as one of the top trail systems in the world by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. The 50 miles of single-track trails, ranging from easy to extremely difficult, are carved into the rocky terrain, circling lakes and winding over hills and through the woods.

Stay at True North Basecamp, which has grabbed attention with its Instagrammable ‘north woods industrial’ rental cabins. For other creature comforts, spots like Cuyuna Brewing Co., Red Raven Bike Shop & Cafe and the farm-to-table Iron Range Eatery have injected new life into Cuyuna’s dining and bar scene. 

Giants Ridge

Find real adventure at this year-round resort just over an hour north of Duluth in the unspoilt Superior National Forest. Amongst the 10 purpose-built gravity trails, you’ll find trails graded from green to double black diamond, with long gear-grinding climbs and white-knuckle descents, including a 500-foot vertical challenge.

Theodore Wirth Park/Lebanon Hills

If you’re looking for bike trails near Minneapolis you might want to sample the local landscape. Theodore Wirth Park, on the western edge of north Minneapolis, with its switchback trails and snug tree clearances is a great place to hone skills and build up confidence, while Lebanon Hills offers advanced riders challenging trails labelled 'More Difficult,' 'Most Difficult' and 'Extremely Difficult'.

Gravel biking in Minnesota

Gravel biking combines the speed and distance of road riding with the adventure of off-road exploration. Minnesota’s thriving gravel scene has remained one of the largest in the country thanks to the state’s many well-maintained rural roads, varied terrain, and strong cycling culture.

Minnesota’s gravel riding season typically runs between April and November, with many bike events peppering the calendar, such as the 2025 and 2026 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships! These top events provide plenty of inspiration for season-long riding in the wheel-tracks of the racers. Here are 3 of the best routes to explore at your leisure:

Ragnarök 105

Distance: 105 miles

This event in Minnesota’s Driftless region has earned a reputation as one of the midwest’s toughest gravel races. The route – starting and finishing in Red Wing – features tortuous climbs through the Mississippi River bluffs, with gradients regularly over 15%. Those who conquer these climbs are, however, rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views and thrilling descents in Minnesota.
While this route may not work for all skill levels, it’s well worth the challenge for more advanced riders. It can also be broken up into shorter sections if you don’t fancy doing it all in one go.

The Filthy 50

Distance: 25, 50 or 100 miles

This route certainly lives up to its great name, with 50 miles of challenging gravel riding through the Root River Valley region, but with shorter or longer options depending how crazy you feel on the day! All 3 routes take riders through the dramatic Bluff Country of southeastern Minnesota, combining steep climbs with technical descents that call for both fitness and good bike-handling skills.

The races take place when autumn colours are at their peak, but the routes make for a great ride all spring and summer. All three distances start and finish in downtown Lanesboro and incorporate the area’s most scenic backroads. 

Heck of the North

Distance: up to 100 miles

Another great name and another great challenge. 2025 marks the 17th anniversary of the Heck of the North, making it one of the longest-running – and most testing – gravel bike events in Minnesota. Starting and finishing in Two Harbors, the race (in October) combines well-maintained gravel roads with rugged snowmobile trails on varied terrain that pushes riders to their limits.

The route climbs from Lake Superior into the Sawtooth Mountains, offering spectacular views. Dense forests, a stream crossing, and the possibility for early snow in the autumn make the Heck of the North a true Minnesota adventure that tests bike-handling skills as much as fitness. While the 100-mile route isn’t for beginners, 60-mile and 19-mile options cover all experience levels. 

Bike Tips: 

• There are approx. 40 permanent bicycle tune-up stations situated along state trails and in state parks, with free tools to fix a flat tire or tighten a loose bolt and an air compressor tire pump.

• Unpaved roads carry a higher risk for a flat tyre so keep a repair kit handy. Also, some routes get well off the beaten path with limited opportunities for resupply and iffy mobile phone signal, so extra water and plenty of snacks are highly recommended.

• Bike-friendly accommodation is a real bonus when planning any cycling adventure and Minnesota has your back, with everything from biker-specific campgrounds and resorts to hotels such as the Bluefin Bay Resort, which includes complimentary bike rental for its guests.

Plan the trip

For your guide to everything Minnesota, head to the Explore Minnesota website.

FAQs

Can I fly to Minnesota from the UK?

Yes, many airlines including British Airways, KLM and Air Canada fly to Minneapolis (MSP) from the UK, but only via connecting flights. Only Delta Air Lines offers direct flights to Minneapolis from the UK with one daily flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), with a flight time of around 9hours 10mins. 

Do I need a visa or ESTA?

You don’t need a visa as the UK is part of the Visa Waiver Program. However, if your stay in the US is for 90 days or less for tourism or business, you'll need an ESTA (Electronic System for travel Authorization) for entry. This is a digital document, allowing for pre-travel authorization. You must apply for an ESTA online, and it should be obtained at least 72 hours before your trip, and you'll also need an electronic passport (e-passport).

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance isn't compulsory to visit the US. But it's a really good idea to have it. The US is one of the most expensive countries for healthcare. Even minor medical emergencies can cost thousands of pounds, and serious issues tens of thousands.

Is my UK driving licence valid?

Yes, a valid UK driver's licence is generally valid for driving in the US for tourists for up to three months, though specific state regulations can vary, so always check your destination state's rules. For longer stays in Minnesota you will need to apply for a Minnesota driver's license.