The Heartland Trail stretches 50 miles across the heartland of Minnesota  linking Park Rapids, Dorset, Nevis, Akeley and Walker and Cass Lake in a ribbon of pavement.  You can also catch a link at Akeley through the Chippewa National Forest to the Paul Bunyan Trail to Hackensack, and again at Cass Lake to ride the 18-mile Migizi Trail loop.

The scenic Heartland Trail goes through prime lakes and pines country. It has a secluded feel with a minimum of road noise much of the way, plus a lot of interesting sights in addition to all kinds of trees: pine, birch, oak, maple and a lot of poplar. Old and long trestles and bridges from the era of the railroads now carry cyclists high above the water. Two are made of big timbers. Another is a steel bridge that swung open on a gear system for passing steamships.

Download Heartland Trail Map