5 Best Minneapolis Bike Trails
Minneapolis is one of the best cities in the country for bicycling. There are more than 100 miles of biking trails and 98 miles of bike lanes. The question is, which of these trails are the best Minneapolis bike trails? No matter which you choose, don’t forget your helmet.
5 Best Minneapolis Bike Trails
The best Minneapolis bike trails help make the city the best city in the country for riding bikes at all skill levels. Hitting the trails is a fun way to get active, breathe fresh air, and enjoy Minneapolis’s scenery. But not everyone searches for the same thing when they hop on a bike and hit the trails.
Of course, Minneapolis is the place to be for anyone who enjoys riding bikes. There are trails for every desire and skill level. You can take on a day-long trek through the greenery of some beautiful parks or follow along rivers and creeks.
Ultimately, biking in Minneapolis gives us so many options to choose from with paved and unpaved trails.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Minneapolis is a beautiful city with plenty to do for the entire family. But biking is a very common outdoor activity thanks to the miles and miles of trails available. One park that offers 12 miles of trails ranging from easy to expert is Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
This park is perfect for mountain biking as a family or for challenging yourself to reach new heights, depending on your chosen trails. But the best part is all of the trails offer beautiful natural scenes, including bridges, berms, ledges, and so much more.
Grand Round National Scenic Byway
Minneapolis has a whopping 22 lakes, known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, for a reason. The lake culture in the city is just as big as the biking community. The Grand Round National Scenic Byway brings the two together with over 51 miles of bike trails.
This area has got to be one of the 5 best Minneapolis bike trails. Of course, you don’t need to ride through every mile of this area. But you won’t want to miss this ride as it passes by numerous lakes, including Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles, two of the more popular lakes.
There are also multiple parks along the trails, as well as the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls, Stone Arch Bridge, and even the Weisman Art Museum.
Midtown Greenway
Another one of the best Minneapolis bike trails is the Midtown Greenway. This trail is a 5.5-mile expressway that commuters enjoy the most for many reasons. The trail crosses Highway 55 and has easy access to Lake Street.
You can take the trail, hop off on Lake Street, and enjoy some delicious food, or just take a break at one of the coffee shops. Commuters use the trail to reach the West Bank and the University of Minnesota campus.
But you can also take the trail all the way to Downtown Minneapolis. You will also pass by a chain of lakes that offers beautiful views during the summer season.
Gateway State Trail
There truly are bike trails for every level of expertise. The Gateway State Trail is a long one at 19 miles through Maplewood, Oakdale, and North Saint Paul. However, all 19 miles are paved which makes it a great trail for families to venture on.
Be sure to check out Brown’s Creek State Trail, one of the newer trails in Minneapolis. This trail leads to St. Croix River and Stillwater’s downtown district. Stillwater is known for its historical vibe and its dining options.
There’s nothing better than heading out as a family on a weekend to hit the trail, stop for lunch, and then head back home to rest up for the next ride.
Theodore Wirth Regional Park
Gateway State Trail is one of the best Minneapolis bike trails and one of the easiest. But Theodore Wirth Regional Park is for the intermediate mountain bikers out there. This single-track route is a challenging one that twists and turns through the woods of the largest park in Minneapolis.
You must climb, traverse a rock garden, and balance on skinny logs to get through the 7 miles of trails. This trail is definitely not for beginners, but it is a fun challenge for those willing to go from beginner to intermediate with their off-road biking skills.
All of these trails are fantastic and fun for every skill level. But protection is the most important thing, regardless of your skill level. Don’t forget to hit the trails with ProLids Helmets to be as safe as possible.