New Mountain Bike Trails at Cuyuna

Images and video courtesy of Cuyuna.com
Advanced and expert mountain bike riders now have 10 miles of new trails to ride at the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (CCSRA) North Mahnomen Unit starting Saturday, July 3, 2021. Located on the northern edge of the CCSRA, the North Mahnomen Unit expansion features four new trails ranging in skill level from More Difficult to Experts Only.
“This trail system expansion continues to build on the work we started with our Miner’s Mountain Bike Skills Area, Winze trail, and Drawpoint trail to increase trail difficulty,” said Nicholas Statz, CCSRA mountain bike trail technician for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR). “All of this advanced trail development is a result of broad support from regional businesses, the mountain bicycling community, the Cuyuna Master Vision for Trails, the CCSRA Citizens Advisory Council, and the hard work of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew, whose volunteers help maintain the trail system.”

Backcountry trail
Intermediate, More Difficult cross-country trail featuring unavoidable obstacles, mandatory rock drops, mandatory jumps, and technical rock gardens

Sinter trail
Very Difficult gravity flow trail with unavoidable obstacles, large rock drops, mandatory rock gardens, and big, rolling jumps

Sledgehammer trail
Extremely Difficult, Expert Only gravity flow trail featuring unavoidable rock obstacles, mandatory large rock drops, mandatory rock ledge drops, mandatory technical rock gardens, mandatory large rock jumps, mandatory steep rock staircase, and expert rock gap jumps
Portal trail
More Difficult gravity flow trail featuring unavoidable obstacles, mandatory rock drops, mandatory jumps, and technical rock gardens
What to know before you go
Important to note, if a cyclist is unable to ride the rock filter into Backcountry trail on their bicycle, it is highly suggested not to continue as the difficulty will exceed the rider’s ability. Start to finish, Backcountry trail is 12 miles from the Rally Center and back using Galloping Goose trail both on the way out and back in. Planning for hydration, energy/nutrition, and time of day is essential.
Current Projects in Progress
• Sagamore Unit: Construction started in April 2021 and will continue through fall 2022. Trails will provide an experience ranging from Beginner to Very Difficult. The CCSRA’s first adaptive handcycle trail will also be constructed, made possible by a grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.
• New wayfinding signage throughout the CCSRA and Cuyuna Lakes State Paved Trail: Beginning in spring 2022 and to be completed by the end of the year. Made possible by a grant from the Hallett Trust and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails.