There’s more to mountain biking in Minnesota than just the metro and Cuyuna. Here are six destinations in Greater Minnesota worth the drive — or at least the drive-by — if you’re in the neighborhood.
DULUTH, Minnesota — It was somewhere near the top of Goat Hill in Duluth that I saw the rider from Michigan’s UP catching his breath. I had just topped my own long, technical climb — scaling ore-packed boulders the size of my living room to reach stunning views of Lake Superior curving the earth.
“You really have it nice up here in Minnesota — I had no idea you had so many trails!” he said. “This is amazing.”
This is a frequent conversation I have these days. After mountain biking and racing for more than 30 years from California to Colorado and beyond, I’d stake that Minnesota — specifically the Iron Range and our picturesque North Shore — objectively boasts some of the best mountain biking in all the Midwest.
If you’ve exhausted the Twin Cities mountain bike trails, and are looking for a nice fall mountain bike getaway beyond the twists and turns of Cuyuna, you don’t need to pack the car for Colorado just yet. Greater Minnesota is more of a mountain biking mecca than you may realize.
Here are, in my opinion, the top mountain bike trails outside the metro and beyond Cuyuna worth the effort to explore. (Note: While most of these trails are free and open to the public, a few may include a fee for trail usage or access.)
- Jackpot / High Climber Trail, Tofte.
This epic loop, which departs not far from the shores of Lake Superior, justifiably ranks among any of the best mountain bike terrain in Colorado or beyond. This rocky rollercoaster, to the peaks of Lutsen and back, easily ranks as my favorite trail in Minnesota. The trailhead sits just north of Tofte off Minnesota Hwy. 61 in a small forest-service parking lot, a gateway to some 18 miles of leg-busting singletrack that will challenge even the best mountain bikers in the country. With long technical stretches of rock garden climbs, ribbons of switchback descents that seemingly go ad infinitum, not to mention stunning views of the Superior National Forest, it’s all here in a full day’s ride. There’s a reason why this loop is part of the national Lifetime Fitness Lutsen 99er mountain bike race. People really do come from all parts of the country to ride this country — it’s that good.
- Split Rock Wilds Singletrack.
About 30 miles south of Jackpot, near the iconic North Shore lighthouse, is the trailhead to even more of the most challenging climbs and rocky terrain of the state. I’ve spent well an afternoon of white-knuckled delight on the some 18 miles of off-piste trails here that included a packed lunch and hours of breathtaking switchback climbs, descents, rock gardens and more. Pure joy.
- Greater Duluth trail system. With a big, huge nod, and then additional even bigger nod to COGGS (the volunteer bike organization known as Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores, who help create and maintain this amazing trail system), the greater Duluth area easily boasts well more than 50 miles of off-road singletrack to meet and match every level skill level. From the deep wooded climbs of the Lester Park trail system far to the north/east of the city, to the wicked-fast flow of Mission Creek’s bogs, to the trails outside Jay Cooke State Park (a jewel in its own right), the trails of Duluth are beyond a dream. For the last two years I’ve competed in the “Race Across Duluth,” which rolls over some 45 miles of these trails, and I get giddy every time I think about it. Once you traverse across the rugged and technical landscape just below Duluth’s Observation Hill neighborhood, overlooking Lake Superior and Park Point, you’ll be pinching yourself too.
- Tioga. The Tioga Recreation Area west of Grand Rapids is an often overshadowed, yet distinctly exciting trail system that offers long zippy descents, punchy climbs and plenty more-where-that-came-from red dirt and rock to push your technical skills to their limits. I rank Tioga among the best for its sheer magnitude. Boasting more than 25 miles within 500 acres of Minnesota School Trust Lands, the sounds of silence here run deep. Well worth a day trip and overnight excursion to the north country.
- Redhead. Set just on the outskirts of Chisholm of Hwy 169 not far from Tioga, the Redhead Mountain Bike Park also boasts some 25 miles of trails with challenges for all skill levels. Its proximity to town adds to its local “bike park” feel, and it’s rare to feel too lost in the wilderness, but you still can soak up an afternoon of sweet, rocky climbs, flowy descents and views of iron mine lakes that will take your breath away. Great for a day trip and then overnight stay in Chisolm, or really anywhere on the Range, as you plan a multi-day tour.
- Giant’s Ridge. This state-owned ski resort destination is one of few areas in Minnesota to provide lift service for “downhill” riding (which, in full disclosure, is not my jam) — which means for a premium ticket, the team there will send your bikes to the top of the ridge so you can armor up and essentially bomb a series of jump lines back to the base. (Duluth’s Spirit Mountain also offers lift service for downhill riding). But Giant’s Ridge — which at times may feel like the middle of nowhere — also does offer some of the more traditional “cross country” style mountain biking, as well as lodging. Some trails to the south edge of the resort (which run close or parallel to the paved Mesabi Bike Trail) tiptoe close to a theme park feel, but meander north of Giant’s Ridge, into the area known as XC North Trails, and you’ll find climbs, descents, rocks, roots and moments of nature’s beauty as breathtaking as any bucolic scene in America’s national parks. If you’re up for the nearly three-hour drive to Biwabik, I’d suggest it as an ideal weekend getaway for a family to provide some fun for every member: Easygoing rides for little Stryders in the morning and then whimsical singletrack and downhill for parents in the afternoons.
IF YOU GO
Split Rock on the North Shore is anywhere from a three to four hour drive from the Twin Cities depending on Lake traffic — which can get exceptionally tighter once you’re on the two-lane Hwy. 61 north of Duluth.
When I’ve planned my weekends for trail dusting, I like to start in Split Rock on my first day by early afternoon, ride for a few hours, and then spend the night of my first leg near Tofte. On Day Two I’ll hit Jackpot for a long day before heading inward toward the Range — either to Biwabik, Chisholm or Grand Rapids. I’ll typically save the Duluth trails for standalone trips, or enroute to these other destinations. Honestly you can’t go wrong picking any section of the Duluth Traverse Trail.
BONUS to the South:
Mount Kato. While most of the metro ski areas have shied away from allowing mountain biking on their hills (aside from Buck Hill), Kato to the south continues to maintain a rockstar of a loop that climbs, descends and then climbs a magnificent fun little ski area. I’ve been riding these trails since before, during, and since my days of covering the Minnesota Vikings training camps for this publication, and it never gets old.
Easily a day trip from the Twin Cities, but you could easily stretch a trip here into a weekend getaway to include great road cycling along the Sakatah trails, camping (and bison watching) in Minneopa State Park, and more. If you have Mount Kato in your backyard, count yourself lucky.
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