Northeastern Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails

Jay Cooke State Park: 13 miles

Trail is a mixture of grass, dirt and pavement with spectacular views. Silver Creek Trail and Summer Trail are groomed for fat bikes in the winter.
Map

State and national forests offer a variety of areas to explore by bike. Some trails are exclusively non-motorized, while others are shared with a variety of users, including OHVs and equestrians.

Simpson Creek Trail: 13 miles
Deer River, MN
Enjoy rolling topography through pines and along glacial eskers, with overlooks onto Cut Foot Sioux Lake and journeys into the cedar swamp. Cyclists travel on both old tote roads and dirt trail. Access at the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center or Eagle Nest Road (FR2198).
Map

Cut Foot Sioux Trail: 18 miles
Deer River, MN
An extension of the Simpson Creek Trail, this is an 18- mile loop along old Forest Roads with gravel and sand. Access from the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center or the Hwy 46 Wayside Rest 5 miles north of the Center.
Map

Suomi Hills Trail: 19 miles
Marcell, MN
The remote and stunning Suomi Hills has 19 miles of hiking, biking and ski trails and is part of a semi-primitive non-motorized area. The rolling topography offers mountain bike trails for intermediate and advanced cyclists. Access the Suomi Hills area from the Highway 38 National Scenic Byway.
Map

Trout Lake Trail: 11 miles
Marcell, MN
This is a nice short scenic trail into the woods and out onto the Trout Lake Estate, a national historic site featuring a 1920 lumber baron estate.  Access from the north end of Trout Lake off Co 326 or from the south end near FR 2065 and near FR 2065.
Map

Pine Valley Trails: 5 miles

Stacked loops rated beginner to intermediate with switchbacks and flow sections through stands of pine trees and open areas. These gravel trails are machine built and feature two expert and one intermediate jump trail. Because of the nature of he soil trails remain open even when wet. Skinnies and gap jumps with b-lines keep things interesting. Groomed for fat biking in a park that also has ski trails. A dirt parking lot with a porta potty is available adjacent to the Cloquet hockey arena.
Map

Tioga Trails: 25 miles

This new mountain bike trail system in the location of a former mine pit offers trails for all skill levels as well as jump lines, flow trails and a beginner skills section. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter.
Map/Info

Duluth has been named Gold Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), one of six such destinations in the world. The Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) maintain and develop Duluth’s extensive trail system.

Craft Connector: 1.1 miles
Two-way trail connecting the Enger Tower Scenic Overlook and the Lincoln Park Craft District. The downhill ride from Enger has some jump opportunities.

Downer Park 0.5 miles
A work in progress for the advanced rider. More trails coming.

Duluth Traverse: 40 miles
As beginner level singletrack, the Duluth Traverse (DT) connects the city’s trail networks at Lester Park, Hartley Park, Piedmont-Brewer Park, Spirit Mountain and Mission Creek. Currently, 75% of the DT is on singletrack trail, the balance is on gravel roads and some paved road sections. It’s a work in progress and will eventually be all standalone singletrack.

Hartley Park: 9 miles
Beginner to ntermediate trails through the hardwood forests and open marsh areas of Hartley Nature Center.

Lester Park: 12.5 miles
Beginner to intermediate. Beautiful views of the river valley and smooth, flowing single track. There are some rocky or rooty sections, but overall the trail is non-technical and the best option in the Duluth area if you are newer to mountain biking. Groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.

Mission Creek: 23 miles
Beginner to intermediate. Fast and flowing singletrack with many bridges, berms, and rollers. This trail network traverses a dramatic, heavily forested landscape with spectacular views of the St. Louis River Valley and Jay Cooke State Park. Groomed for fat biking in the winter.

Piedmont & Brewer Trails: 9 miles
Intermediate to advanced challenging trails with bridges and features. Significant elevation changes with large rocky bluffs. Groomed for fat biking in the winter.

Spirit Mountain Bike Park
Beginner to advanced. Outstanding views of Lake Superior are the norm at Spirit Mountain. The terrain is demanding, but is sure to reward with amazing vistas. Lift-assisted downhill mountain biking and fat biking.

Stone Age: 1.2 miles
Short, but quite a workout even for advanced riders. A long, technical uphill is rewarded with awesome views and the way down has challenges around every corner. Just north of the Mission Creek trails.

Map/Info

C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail: 146 miles

This remote and rugged backcountry trail travels through wilderness areas on Minnesota’s North Shore. It’s primarily used for snowmobiling, but is open to hiking and biking and, in parts, ATV riding.
Map

Hidden Valley Recreation Area: 23 miles
Hidden Valley’s ski trails turn into a mountain bike paradise during the warmer months. In addition to 13 miles of wide, grassy paths, there’s another 10 miles of singletrack trail. The system currently consists of five loops rated beginner to expert:
Magic Carpet: Any level of rider. Balance of climbs and flowy downhills
The Big Pines Loop: Scenic views as you drop into and climb out of a narrow slot canyon.
Erratic Behavior: Good climbs, big boulders and rock gardens with challenging terrain.
The Outback: The most difficult and longest trail into the far corners of Hidden Valley. Great vistas, good drops, opportunity to get some air, rocks to climb.
Ely Airlines: This short, one-mile trail features jumps, drops, banked turns and other challenges.
The singletrack trail is groomed for fatbiking in the winter. Hidden Valley also has a one-mile mountain biking skills course near the club chalet.
Info

Fernberg Tower Area
This area is located along the Fernberg Road east of Ely. Several county and forest roads intersect giving an opportunity to explore the Superior National Forest, visit the hill that once held the Fernberg Lookout Tower and visit several lakes. The route includes both gravel and natural surface trails.
More Info

Nickel Lake Area: 12 miles
This area provides rolling wooded hills, grassy bogs and beaver dams. There is access to several isolated lakes and an abandoned granite quarry that last operated in the 30′s.
More Info

Fenske Lake Area
This area has many opportunities to explore forest and logging roads. Trails cross over rolling hills and pass through spruce forests.
More Info

Pincushion Mountain: 10 miles

Challenging trails with awesome Lake Superior views. Switchbacks, bridges, rock gardens and lots of elevation changes. Groomed for fat tire biking in the winter.
Map

Forest History Center: 5 miles

Explore the Forest History Center by bike. Beginner trail through 1900s logging camp and virgin timber forest.
More Info

Legion Trails: 7 miles

Hand-built singletrack trail ranging from fast and flowing to tight, twisty and technical. Near Grand Rapids High School.
Map

Taconite State Trail: 165 miles

Popular multipurpose trail that moves through out-of-the-way forests and lakes and stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely. It intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail just west of Lake Vermillion. Passes through Bear Head Lake State Park. Some areas may be impassable in the summer.
Map

Saint Croix State Park: 21 miles

Wide, grassy trail in the woods with some dirt sections on the Matthew Lourey State Trail.
Map

Biwabik
Giants Ridge: 9 miles

Giants Ridge offers lift-served mountain biking on eight downhill gravity trails ranging from easy to expert. The Mountain Bike Park has over nine miles of purpose-built trails on rolling hills through the Superior National Forest. In the winter, 60km of the groomed ski trails are available for fatbiking and the resort also offers lift-served downhill fat biking on select downhill runs.
Map/Info

Chisholm
Redhead Mountain Bike Park: 25 miles

A new, developing trail system on the grounds of the Minnesota Discovery Center as of June 2020. Built around a series of former mine pits, this challenging trail system has some beginner trails, but is mostly for intermediate to advanced riders. Punchy climbs and descents, plenty of rock gardens and jumps make for a great ride while the scenery is nothing short of spectacular with its ravines, red cliffs and views of deep, blue lakes. There’s even a waterfall crossing on Fractured Falls Trail. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter.
The goal is to eventually offer trolley rides to some of the far out trail loops near the Glen location, a restored, historic mining village. The Discovery Center has restrooms and a restaurant.
Map/Info

Hibbing
Maple Hill Park: 4 miles

Intermediate, two-way singletrack with a dirt surface in a 133-acre city park.
Map

Virginia
-Big Aspen Trail: 21 miles

The Big Aspen Trail is 21 miles in the Superior National Forest with many loop opportunities and beautiful scenic vistas. The trail is part of old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades from the Virginia and Rainy Lake Lumber Company. It is a multi-use trail, allowing mountain bikes, ATVs, horses, and in the winter, cross-country skiers.
Map

-Lookout Mountain: 11 miles

The trail system has dedicated mountain bike singletrack with berms, bridges and rock gardens in the Superior National Forest. Once you get to the top of a large hill it’s mostly rolling hills through forestland. There are a few large rock features and some challenging intermediate skill level sections. The trails are two-way, look out for oncoming bikes and hikers.
Map

McCarthy Beach State Park: 17 miles

A choice of nice rides is available on the park trails and the low maintenance St. Louis County roads inside the park boundary. Bikers can venture out of the park on the Taconite State Trail.
Map

Britton Peak: 5.5 miles

Trails are intermediate to advanced with a short beginner loop. Enjoy views of the Temperance River Valley and some advanced features like a rock garden and boardwalk. Connects with High Climber and Jackpot Trails.
Map

Jackpot and High Climber Trails: 16 miles

This unique ride follows the rolling ridges overlooking Lake Superior and features machine-built flow trail with big berms, rock gardens, drops, jumps and rock-armored creek crossings in a Wilderness setting. It’s laid out to be beginner-rated, but technical B-line options are up to expert level. Parking is available on either end at Britton Peak Trailhead (Tofte) and Ski Hill Road Trailhead (Lutsen Mountains) as well as on Onion River Road.

While the trail is point-to-point, there are options for a loop ride. From Lutsen Mountains: Ride north on Ski Hill Road to Barker Lake Road, take Barker Lake Road to Honeymoon Trail (USFS 164), head west on Honeymoon Trail to Sawbill Trail. From there, ride pavement south to Britton Peak. Follow Jackpot and High Climber back to Lutsen. This option adds approximately 22 miles. Another option is to take the Gitchi Gami Trail. Onion River Road bisects the trail system and serves as the dividing line between High Climber to the east and Jackpot to the west.
Map

Arrowhead State Trail: 135 miles

Approximately 69 miles of the trail are suitable for mountain biking in the summer, but there may be wet areas. Intersects with the Taconite State Trail. Mountain bikers should call the nearest Parks and Trails Area office before leaving for their destination to inquire about local trail conditions and amenities. This is a multi-use trail, including horseback riding.
Map

Donald D. Ferguson Demonstration Forest: 10 miles

Easy beginner trails through boreal woods in the Superior National Forest, shared with hikers. Trail system is set to expand, with the ultimate goal of 15-20 miles. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter, skis and snowshoes are also allowed.
Map

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park: 3 miles

Easy trail with a mix of dirt and grass shared with hikers. No singletrack. Stunning views of the Split Rock Lighthouse along Lake Superior. Can be combined with a return on the paved Gitchi Gami Trail for a 6 mile loop. The park grooms this loop and an additional 3 miles for fat biking in the winter.
Map

Split Rock Wilds Trail: 22 miles

The newest mountain bike trail system in northeastern Minnesota offers a challenging, point to point backcountry riding experience connecting the new Shipwreck Creek campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park with the Cove Point Lodge property. Trail conditions vary from from rugged and rocky to fast and flowy and include multiple advanced and expert level features like jumps, rock rolls and drops. There is, however a beginner-friendly loop near the campground.  The trails into to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park will be closed until the official opening date, projected for summer of 2022.
Map