Minnesota Cross Country Skiing Trails and Maps

982 Reviews

Looking for the best Cross Country Skiing trails around Minnesota?

Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Minnesota, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

City Trails and Maps in Minnesota

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
54 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Battle Creek Regional Park Trail

2 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Big Rivers Regional Trail

6.08 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Bruce Vento Regional Trail

8.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Cannon Valley Trail

20.9 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Clear Lake Bike Trail System

5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Dakota Rail Regional Trail

28.8 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Douglas State Trail

12.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Duluth Lakewalk

7 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Gandy Dancer Trail (Northern Section)

51 mi
State: MN, WI
Ballast, Dirt

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

33.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Great Northern Trail

8.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Grass

Greenway of Greater Grand Forks

21.1 mi
State: MN, ND
Asphalt

Heartland State Trail

49 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Kenilworth Trail

1.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Lake Wobegon Trail

65.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Longyear Lake Trail

1.8 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Loon Lake Trail System

2.2 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Luce Line Trail

76.7 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Grass
Accordion

Mesabi Trail

135 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Gravel

Paul Bunyan State Trail

121.7 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Root River State Trail

42.1 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Swedish Immigrant Trail

10.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

West River Parkway Trail

8.9 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Concrete

Afton to Lakeland Trail

4 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Blazing Star State Trail

6 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Casey Jones State Trail

20.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Grass, Gravel

Glacial Lakes State Trail

29 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Goodhue Pioneer State Trail

9.7 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail

18 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Minnehaha Trail

5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail

19.91 mi
State: MN
Crushed Stone

Minnesota Valley State Trail

34.1 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Rainy Lake Trail

12.8 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Red Jacket Trail

6.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

39.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Shooting Star State Trail

24.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Soo Line Recreational Trail

10.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Beaver Islands Trail

5.1 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Blue Ox Trail (Voyageur Trail)

96.5 mi
State: MN
Ballast, Dirt

Bottineau Trail

3.2 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Matthew Lourey State Trail (Willard Munger State Trail)

81.8 mi
State: MN
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Soo Line Trail (Southern Route)

114.5 mi
State: MN
Ballast, Gravel

Western Waterfront Trail

3.4 mi
State: MN
Gravel

Alex Laveau Memorial Trail (Willard Munger State Trail)

8.7 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

Soo Line Trail (Northern Route)

113 mi
State: MN
Ballast, Gravel

Arrowhead State Trail

135 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

Bear Island Lake Trail

21.7 mi
State: MN
Ballast

Iron Ore Trail

11.6 mi
State: MN
Ballast

Minnesota River State Trail

12.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Dirt

Rocori Trail

3.2 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Taconite State Trail

165 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Gravel
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
This is a lovely, yet challenging course (200-ft elevation gain), heading eastbound from the Samuel H. Morgan Regional Trail on the western edge of Battlefield Creek Regional Park. The blacktop trail...
MN 2 mi Asphalt
Overview The Big Rivers Regional Trail runs along the upper portion of what was originally a two-tiered section of railroad track built for one of the state’s oldest railroads, the Minnesota...
MN 6.08 mi Asphalt
The Brown’s Creek State Trail, which opened in October 2014, is a 5.9-mile addition to Minnesota’s extensive Willard Munger State Trail system. The rail-trail stretches from the St. Croix riverfront...
MN 5.9 mi Asphalt
Overview The Bruce Vento Regional Trail is named in honor of Bruce Frank Vento, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 until he died in 2000, representing Minnesota’s fourth...
MN 8.3 mi Asphalt
Overview The Cannon Valley Trail, which became a National Recreation Trail in 2018, links the southeastern Minnesota communities of Red Wing, Welch, and Cannon Falls for 20.9 miles along the former...
MN 20.9 mi Asphalt
Circling around the 652-acre lake on the eastern edge of Waseca, the Clear Lake Bike Trail System provides a fun recreational experience and a unique way to explore this pristine body of water. A very...
MN 5 mi Asphalt
Overview The nearly 29-mile Dakota Rail Regional Trail leaves off from its eastern end at the lakefront in downtown Wayzata, an idyllic suburb of Minneapolis. The paved rail trail carries trail...
MN 28.8 mi Asphalt
The Douglas State Trail occupies the railbed of the former Chicago Great Western Railway corridor between the cities of Rochester and Pine Island. Several of the concrete obelisk railroad mile markers...
MN 12.5 mi Asphalt
The Duluth Lakewalk extends between Canal Park and S. 60th Avenue E. near University Park. The southern half of the trail follows the shore of Lake Superior quite closely from the south end to 26th...
MN 7 mi Asphalt
This 98-mile, "interstate" trail crosses into Minnesota and then back again into Wisconsin on its way from St. Croix Falls to its connection with the Saunders State Trail just south of Superior. In...
MN, WI 51 mi Ballast, Dirt
The Gateway State Trail is an 18.3-mile-long segment of the Willard Munger State Trail that offers an urban link to the countryside. The western end of this paved trail begins on the north end of...
MN 18.3 mi Asphalt
Overview When completed, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail will traverse 88 paved miles between the cities of Two Harbors and Grand Marais on Lake Superior’s northern shore. Currently, the trail exists...
MN 33.5 mi Asphalt
The Great Northern Trail offers a paved north-south route through the city of Elk River and into the city of Zimmerman on northwest outskirts of Minneapolis.  For 8.5 miles, the rail-trail winds...
MN 8.5 mi Asphalt, Grass
Grand Forks, North Dakota, and East Grand Forks, Minnesota, host a network of paved paths along the Red River and Red Lake River that form the border between these two cities. At just more than 20...
MN, ND 21.1 mi Asphalt
Overview The Heartland State Trail is one of many long-distance trails managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. When established in 1974, it became one of the first rail-trail...
MN 49 mi Asphalt
The Kenilworth Trail runs through dense forest along the eastern side of Minnesota's Cedar Lake. Occasionally, trail users can catch glimpses of some of the stately residences in the ritzy Minneapolis...
MN 1.5 mi Asphalt
As fans of public radio can tell you, this trail’s namesake is the fictional town of Lake Wobegon, made famous by author and radio personality Garrison Keillor of A Prairie Home Companion. Along the...
MN 65.5 mi Asphalt
The Longyear Lake Trail encircles its namesake lake in the city of Chisholm, Minnesota. On the southeast side of the trail at 4th Avenue, trail users can connect directly with the 115-mile Mesabi...
MN 1.8 mi Asphalt
Largely constructed on a former rail corridor running north/south out of the city of Waseca, the Loon Lake Trail is a short but sweet trail that provides residents with off-road access to important...
MN 2.2 mi Asphalt
Overview The Luce Line Trail leads between Minnesota's rural landscapes and urban Minneapolis, traveling through suburbs and wooded stretches, across wetlands, near lakes, through tallgrass prairie...
MN 76.7 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Grass
Accordion
Traversing the incredibly scenic Iron Range region of northern Minnesota, the Mesabi Trail is well on its way to becoming one of the longest rail-trails in the United States. When completed, the...
MN 135 mi Asphalt, Gravel
Overview The Paul Bunyan State Trail, which stretches 119 miles from Bemidji to Brainerd, is one of the longest rail-trails in the country. The multiuse, fully paved trail is mainly for...
MN 121.7 mi Asphalt
Overview Along much of its route, the Root River State Trail follows the winding course of its namesake river for 42 miles through the Minnesota towns of Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson,...
MN 42.1 mi Asphalt
The developing Swedish Immigrant Trail will one day span 22 miles from Taylors Falls on the banks of the St. Croix River to the central Minnesota town of Wyoming. The paved trail will run east-west...
MN 10.3 mi Asphalt
The West River Parkway Trail, also known as the Mississippi River Gorge Regional Trail, extends between Plymouth Avenue North opposite Boom Island and Ford Parkway in Minnehaha Regional Park, where...
MN 8.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Overview The Willard Munger State Trail is a collection of multiple-use trails that include the Willard Munger Trail (Hinckley–Duluth), Alex Laveau Memorial Trail (which intersect in Carlton), and...
MN 71.4 mi Asphalt
Overview  The Afton to Lakeland Trail runs for 4 miles north to south from Lakeland to Afton, sandwiched between a highway and the St. Croix River. The flat, paved trail passes through Lakeland...
MN 4 mi Asphalt
The Blazing Star State Trail is located in Albert Lea, near Minnesota’s southern border. The town is known as “The Land Between the Lakes,” and the trail begins on the northern shore of one of the...
MN 6 mi Asphalt
Three separate segments make up the Casey Jones State Trail, which is one of the first state trails authorized by Minnesota state trail legislation in the 1960s. The rail-trail is named for the...
MN 20.5 mi Asphalt, Grass, Gravel
The 22-mile original section of the paved Glacial Lakes State Trail follows the former right-of-way of the Burlington Northern Railroad between Willmar and about 1 mile west of Paynesville at...
MN 29 mi Asphalt
The Goodhue Pioneer State Trail is a work in progress as part of a planned 47-mile trail linking the cities of Red Wing, Goodhue, Zumbrota, Mazeppa, Bellechester, and Pine Island along an inactive...
MN 9.7 mi Asphalt
The Harmony–Preston Valley State Trail runs 18 miles on a north-south line between the town of Harmony and the Root River State Trail, which it meets between Lanesboro and Fountain. The paved trail is...
MN 18 mi Asphalt
Minnehaha Trail connects two popular parks in the Twin Cities as it follows Minnehaha Creek through a corridor that is a mix of woodland and open areas. It is sometimes referred to as Minnehaha Creek...
MN 5 mi Asphalt
Overview The Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail runs southwest from the Minneapolis suburb of Hopkins to Carver Bluffs Parkway and Carver Creek Circle. The trail is over 19 miles in length...
MN 19.91 mi Crushed Stone
Notice: Check Minnesota DNR for current conditions and potential closure information. Overview The Minnesota Valley State Trail is used by cyclists, equestrians, hikers, snowmobilers, and...
MN 34.1 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The Rainy Lake Trail offers a scenic route of nearly 13 miles through Northern Minnesota woodlands, marshlands, and lakefront neighborhoods from International Falls to the stunning Voyageurs National...
MN 12.8 mi Asphalt
Overview The popular Red Jacket Trail, which runs south from Mankato, utilizes three converted railroad trestles, including the stunning Red Jacket Trestle, which is more than 80 feet high and 550...
MN 6.3 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Overview This trail is so nice they named it twice: Sakatah is the Dakota word for “singing hills.” The Dakota people of the Great Sioux Nation originally lived in this scenic part of Minnesota,...
MN 39.3 mi Asphalt
Shooting Star State Trail, which is over 24 miles long, is an 8-foot-wide asphalt path from Nicolville (east) to Le Roy (west). It follows an unused railroad bed on Milwaukee Road, which once...
MN 24.3 mi Asphalt
The Soo Line Recreational Trail is a continuation of the Soo Line Trail (southern route) just north of Royalton, Minnesota. This 10-mile segment, however, does not permit motorized uses, unlike its...
MN 10.5 mi Asphalt
The Beaver Islands Trail follows the route of an inactive railway that was originally part of a charter railroad of the Minneapolis and Northwestern Railway Company. Built in 1882, the railroad line...
MN 5.1 mi Asphalt
The Blue Ox–Voyageur Trail is a multi-use trail that permits ATVs and snowmobiles. It also accommodates mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians along the former railroad right-of-way between...
MN 96.5 mi Ballast, Dirt
The 3-mile-long Bottineau Trail runs through the small town of Red Lake Falls to a rural area to its north. The trail is named after Pierre Bottineau, a Minnesota frontiersman who died in the...
MN 3.2 mi Asphalt
The Willard Munger State Trail is a collection of three multiple use trails roughly stretching between the towns of Hinckley and Duluth. The three trail segments include the Hinckley–Duluth, Alex...
MN 81.8 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Overview Unlike the traditional rail trail, which are often most used by bikers, the Soo Line Trail (Southern Route) is primarily an ATV trail and is composed of a primarily rough dirt and gravel...
MN 114.5 mi Ballast, Gravel
Developed in 1988, the Western Waterfront Trail (WWT) offers direct access to the shoreline of the St. Louis River estuary in southwestern Duluth. The trail begins right across the street from the...
MN 3.4 mi Gravel
The Willard Munger State Trail is a collection of three multiple use trails roughly stretching between the towns of Hinckley and Duluth. The three trail segments include the Hinckley–Duluth, Alex...
MN 8.7 mi Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel
Overview Unlike the traditional rail trail, which are often most used by bikers, the Soo Line Trail is primarily an ATV trail and is composed of a primarily rough dirt and gravel surface. The...
MN 113 mi Ballast, Gravel
Arrowhead State Trail runs between the Taconite State Trail at Pike River Flowage near Peyla and to 3 miles south of International Falls (east of I-71 near Chapple). The trail is popular among...
MN 135 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Gravel
Much of Bear Island Lake Trail passes through Bear Island Lake State Forest in Minnesota's northern reaches, near Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The lake itself is huge, with...
MN 21.7 mi Ballast
The Iron Trail follows an old railroad corridor for 15 miles between the towns of Tower and Embarrass in northern Minnesota's Boundary Waters region. The trail traverses a mix of boreal forest and...
MN 11.6 mi Ballast
When complete, the Minnesota River State Trail will stretch from Big Stone Lake State Park north of Ortonville to Le Sueur, a distance of more than 175 miles. Currently, three disconnected segments of...
MN 12.3 mi Asphalt, Dirt
Minnesota’s Rocori Trail is named for the three small towns through which it runs (Richmond, Cold Spring and Rockville). From its western end in Richmond, the paved rail-trail heads east through Cold...
MN 3.2 mi Asphalt
The Taconite State Trail runs for 165 miles between Grand Rapids and Ely, Minnesota, but only the first 6 miles in Grand Rapids are paved. Most of the trail is used in winter for snowmobiling and...
MN 165 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

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Recent Trail Reviews

St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail

nice for walking

October, 2024 by arath1253

Can be windy on the bridges, don’t lose your head gear. I prefer to walk against traffic heading into Wisconsin from 36, and decline into Stillwater from Wisconsin.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

I found the trail conditions to be in good condition but I should say I did not do the entire trail. I would alert others to the fact that this is not a rail trail so expect a bit more small to moderate hill climbing.

October, 2024 by mankato

I found the trail conditions to be in good condition but I should say I did not do the entire trail. I would alert others to the fact that this is not a rail trail so expect a bit more small to moderate hill climbing.

Dakota Rail Regional Trail

Rode for the first time from Wayzata to St. Bonifacious and back. One small detour but it was well marked. Low traffic and lovely views of the lakes and fields. Would recommend a bite to eat at the Bistro in St. Bonifacious.

October, 2024 by mankato

Rode for the first time from Wayzata to St. Bonifacious and back. One small detour but it was well marked. Low traffic and lovely views of the lakes and fields. Would recommend a bite to eat at the Bistro in St. Bonifacious.

Accordion

Cannon Valley Trail

Perfect

October, 2024 by pettestaats

Nice trail with good conditions and amenities.

Heart of the Lakes Trail

close to Hwy

September, 2024 by fayeanhorn

We didn’t ride too far as wind was kicking our butts. Review is for the eastern part of the trail. The Perham & Macdonald lake sections. The trail is very smooth and you do go by some lakes. But no tree cover so you are really exposed to the wind. The entire trail is close to the highway sometimes only a few feet. With so many other beautiful trails in MN will not be back to this one. I will take a few bumps on the trail to have some tree cover and peaceful atmosphere.

Great River Ridge State Trail

Lovely rural bike trail that end too abruptly and could use some TLC.

September, 2024 by mankato

Lovely rural bike trail that end too abruptly and could use some TLC.

Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail

correction

September, 2024 by fayeanhorn

It’s the trail transition on Hwy 62 that had been my problem.

Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail

some very nice sections

September, 2024 by fayeanhorn

Finally rode from Hopkins to Chaska, I’ve been on trail a few times before but keep getting off the trail. Very poor signage at the tricky trail changes. I’m speaking particularly of bridge on Hwy 212. That being said now that I’ve from figured it out thanks to TrailLink. I will definitely ride again. Yes there are short sections that you ride along a busy highway, but the majority is wooded and very scenic. The crushed rock is very hard packed so easier to ride than some crushed rock trails.

Douglas State Trail

Once A Year

September, 2024 by paulbryanj

Being from the Twin Cities, I still try to hit this trail once a year. I like it a lot. But even on a Wednesday, the trail can get very busy with walkers, runners and other cyclists especially at the Rochester end.

Rice Creek North Regional Trail

Great Trail

September, 2024 by mikejward80

One of my favorite trails in Twin Cities. I start in Arden Hills at 35W and County I. I ride it till where it connects with Chaminade Golf Course and the Chain of Lakes Trail. Then I take city streets along Centerville lake till it connects with county park which brings you back to COL Trail. Very beautiful mix of country and suburbs. About 26 miles total. Signage not great but if you follow TrailLinks Map it is a piece of cake!

Clear Lake Bike Trail System

Nice Trail

September, 2024 by rl_henderson

Beautiful views of the lake. Rode twice to get 10 miles!

Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail

Lake Nokomis is great!

September, 2024 by 8xshdh9bmw

The lake trail connects to the entire Minneapolis biker trails, including Minnehaha Falls and the River Road. Being from the South Metro, I park in the south side of the lake. Easy access to Cedar as well as clean restroom facilities. Avenue. Plus, Nokomis has a beach/Conession stand,

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