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Jump to section: Mountain Biking / State Trails / Road Routes

INTRODUCTION

Whether you’re looking for an intense, rocky mountain biking route or a smooth, downhill paved path, Duluth has both … and everything in between. There is also a very strong biking community in Duluth. For more information, visit one of the following sites: MapMyRide (This site allows you to map your bike route and share it with others, click on the link to see what rides have been shared in Duluth). COGGS (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores. COGGS is your best friend, it is a non-profit club that serves the biking community in Duluth in many ways, check ‘em out!) Bike Duluth (The fellas at the Ski Hut put together this cycling guide, if there is a group who knows about biking in Duluth, it’s them). Looking for great rides in Wisconsin? Check out this Northwest Wisconsin Trail Guide. For now, check out the list that DuluthOutdoors.com has to offer.

STATE TRAILS

Arrowhead

  • Location: Between Tower and International Falls, MN
  • Length: 135 miles, 69 are good for mountain biking.
  • Map
  • More: The Arrowhead trail is a natural surface trail primarily used for snowmobiling. For more information including parking and directions, see the linked map above.

Gitchi-Gami

  • Location: North Shore between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, Minnesota
  • Length: This trail is divided into segments. When completed, it will span 86 miles along the North Shore of Lake Superior. According to the Department of Natural Resources as of August, 2011 21 miles of the trail have been paved.
  • Map
  • More: The Gitchi-Gami will eventually connect Two Harbors and Grand Marais along Lake Superior’s North Shore. Check out the linked map above to see which sections are complete.

North Shore

  • Location: Between Duluth and Grand Marais, MN
  • Length: 146 miles
  • Map
  • More: The trail provides access to many state forests and parks. There are 14 shelters with pit toilets and campsites along the trail if you plan on taking a multi-day trip. Expect great views of Lake Superior and a back country, wildlife experience.

Taconite

  • Location: Between Grand Rapids and Ely, MN
  • Length: 165 miles (first 6 miles out of Grand Rapids are paved for biking, the rest can be tackled on your mountain bike!)
  • Map
  • More: The trail links to three state parks: Bear Head Lake, Soudan Underground Mine, and McCarthy Beach.

Willard Munger and Matthew Lourey 

  • Location: The Willard Munger consists of three segments, the first stretches between Duluth and Hinckley, MN. The Matthew Lourey segment connects the St. Croix State Park with the Nemadji State Forest  between Pine City and Holyoke, MN. The Alex Laveau Memorial Trail links Carlton with Gary, MN.
  • Length: 63 miles between Hinckley and Duluth. 80 miles between Pine City and Holyoke. 16 miles between Carlton and Gary.
  • Map
  • More: The Willard Munger consists three multi-use trails between Duluth and Hinckley. There are three segments: Duluth to Hinckley, Alex Laveau Memorial Trail, and Matthew Lourey State Trail. See the linked map for more information.

ROAD ROUTES

Howard Gnesen Rd

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: It’s up to you, but from the intersection of Arrowhead Rd and Kenwood Ave to Normanna Rd, it’s roughly 12 miles, 24 miles round trip.
  • Map:


View Howard Gnesen Rd in a larger map

  • More: A DuluthOutdoors.com insider said he ran the majority of the route and it’s not flat, be prepared for hills (very manageable but hills nonetheless), and low shoulders. The road winds through suburban Duluth and is quite pretty. If you choose to travel further than Normanna Rd, you can hook up with Co Hwy 4 and ride to Island Lake!

Jean Duluth Rd

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: About 11 miles from Woodland Ave and Snively Rd to Normanna Rd.
  • Map:


View Jean Duluth Rd in a larger map

  • More: Slightly flatter than Howard Gnesen. Straight shot to Normanna Rd.

Lakewalk

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: 4.2 miles from 27th Ave E and Bayfront Festival Park.
  • Map
  • More: By far one of Duluth’s most heavily trafficked trails, as it follows Lake Superior and leads to Canal Park. The trail is paved and in very good condition. If you enjoy a laid back ride with great views of Lake Superior, this is a good option. If you like speed and space, consider another route. There are many restaurants along the way and shops in Canal Park if you are looking to make a few stops. You can also walk down to the lake, jump in and cool off. The Lakewalk stretches all the way to 60th Ave E … from 27th Ave E to 60th Ave E the trail is less crowded and smoother for biking!

Millenium Trail

  • Location: Superior, WI
  • Length: 1.6 miles from Elmira Ave to Billings Drive
  • Map
  • More: This is a 10 foot wide, paved trail in the Superior Municipal Forest. You can park at the trailhead at 28th street and Wyoming Ave.

North Shore and Lester River Rd

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: The Northshore route from Brighton Beach to Two Harbors is about 20 miles. The Lester River Rd route from Superior Street to Co Hwy 12 is about 7 miles.
  • Map:


View North Shore and Lester River Rd in a larger map

  • More: For Lester River Rd, parking at Lester Park is your best option. The road leads up the hill from the lake so it’s a climb! For the North Shore route, you can park at Lester, take Superior street to HWY 61 and cross over to Old N Shore Rd, or you could park at Brighton Beach and avoid crossing the busy Hwy 61 altogether.

Osaugie Trail

  • Location: Superior, Wisconsin
  • Length: 5 miles along the Superior Bay
  • Map
  • More: this trail is very similar to Duluth’s Lakewalk. Good for a casual ride, expect crowds of all kinds.

Skyline Parkway

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: About 20 miles from Spirit Mountain to Seven Bridges Road
  • Map:


View Skyline Parkway in a larger map

  • More: If you’re looking for views of Lake Superior, this is the route for you. Be prepared to handle traffic, narrow shoulders and potted pavement along the way. If you plan to bike the entire route, pay attention to the linked map above, as the road breaks off in certain areas and is not marked.

MOUNTAIN BIKING ROUTES

Hartley

  • Location: 3001 Woodland Ave, Duluth MN
  • Length: About 10 miles of multi-use trails
  • Map
  • More: Great place to bike. Take a technical route or stick to the wider foot paths. Hartley is maintained by the Hartley Nature Center which focuses on outdoor family education. For a great resting place with beautiful views, bike south of Hartley Pond to Rock Knob, the highest peak in the park with views of Lake Superior.

Jay Cooke

  • Location: Carlton, MN
  • Length: 13 miles
  • Map
  • More: This trail brings you to the rocky segment of the St. Louis River at Jay Cooke State Park.

Lester-Amity

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: 4.5 miles
  • Map
  • More: The Lester singletrack is maintained by COGGS (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores). It follows Amity Creek near Seven Bridges Road. You can access the trail on either side of the 2nd or 7th bridge. Seven Bridges Road is the first left after N 60th Ave E if you are traveling East on Superior Street.

Mont Du Lac

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: 5 miles
  • Map
  • More: Another trail managed by COGGS (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores). Along the route, you get streams and views of the St. Louis River. The trail is on private land owned by Mont du Lac Recreation so a fee of $5 is required to ride, or $40 for a season mountain biking pass.

Piedmont

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: 9 miles
  • Map
  • More: Piedmont is also maintained by COGGS (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores). It is comprised of 10 trails of varying length. They are: Deerslayer, Scarface, Red Dress, Stovetop Loop, Merrit Creek, Huck Finn, Foxx Rocks, Skyline Climb and NIMBY. Sound fun doesn’t it? To learn more about each route see the description the trail makers offer.

Pokegama

  • Location: Superior, Wisconsin
  • Length: 7.2 miles
  • Map
  • More: This trail runs along the Pokegama River and is maintained by COGGS (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores).

Spirit Mountain

  • Location: Duluth, MN
  • Length: About 10 miles
  • Map
  • More: With lots of rocks and roots, this trail will keep you on your toes. Parking is available at the upper (main chalet) parking lot at Spirit Mountain.