By timbee on August 07, 2010
What a fantastic trail, especially now that it's completed to Bemidji. I've ridden all of it at one time or another. Recently, I rode the new section from Walker to Bemidji--very smooth, wide pavement--with hardly any users (on weekdays). At the Bemidji end there is no trail head or any signs or maps to the remaining route to Bemidji State Park so I skipped that part. Guthrie is the best stopping point on this stretch with benches, shade trees, porta potty and a large parking lot at the township hall. I couldn't get the water pump to work, however.
I've often found that the largest MN towns (Fergus Falls, Willmar, Brainerd) have non-existent or poor trailheads, while some of the smallest towns really go out of their way to accommodate users. A case in point is the small berg of Hackensack which has bathrooms (not a porta potty), shelter, benches, water, beautiful lake with fishing pier, restaurants, stores with snacks, etc. AND very friendly people. Schedule a stop here and Pine River which has similar amenities.
The trail between Hackensack and the Heartland junction is very atypical of MN trails with many hills and curves for 10-12 miles. Much of this is within the Chippewa National Forest. In addition to the hills and curves, you'll see towering pines, wild flowers and some great lake views at the southern end. When you connect the PB with the Heartland, there's over 150 miles of paved trails on which to cruise. If you go on only one of our wonderful trails don't miss this gem, I can't imagine a trail could be any better. (photos to come)
By ggwbikemt on June 27, 2010
The trail is now paved all the way from Bemidji to Brainerd for a distance of 100+ miles. There is a 2 mile gap in the trail remaining at the south shore of Lake Bemidji in Bemidji that can biked using surface streets.
By Ron Gile on October 30, 2007
"My wife and I just completed a great trip. Rode from Baxter to Pine River, Walker, then Park Rapids on the Heartland Trail. We then reversed our direstion and returned to Baxter where the car was parked at the motel. The trails are great and if you don't camp there are places to stay in small cities along the way. The people were very helpful and every motel had a place to store the bikes. We plan on going back it was so much fun. Ron Gile"