Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Minnesota, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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An usually beautiful trail in an unexpected farmfield and streams landscape. The original railway that is the basis of this trail was quite unusual in that it does not parallel the roads in the area much. So, we are treated to a ride right through crop fields in a very unusual bluffy/hilly agricultural area. The wooded parts of the ride cross streams over and over again. Beautiful but be warned: this is one of the most intensely buggy rides ever. Whatever they are, they swarm your face at every stop. Worth it with bug spray and/ or later in Fall.
We road this trail 42 miles from Mankato to Fairbault on a cloudy Sunday afternoon. The trail is mostly flat. About the only true hill you'll encounter is when you go to an overpass near Mankato. There aren't any markings on the trail to tell you distance to the next town. We thought it would be nice if there were either mile markers or signs that stated "Elysian 5.2 miles" just to give some idea of where you were. The trail is in excellent condition except the segment from Elysian to Waterville. Here you'll find ruts, cracks, and holes in the pavement which bounce you around for about 13 miles. We had to slow the pace in this area so as not to rattle our brains. There were plenty of other bikers on the trail as well. If you decide to ride the whole trail in one day you'll be pleased to know that some of the small towns have bar and grill restaurants and ice cream shops right off the trail. Overall a very pleasant ride.
Great ride out of St Joseph’s to Albany, pick up the Soo line and ride to the covered bridge. Round trip ride is right at 50 miles of fairly flat and straight, well maintained asphalt trail. Few road crossings and wide path in scenic farm country. Everything you would expect from a rural trail - but in great condition!
The section of trail along the Red River is as good as an urban trail can be. All smooth and very safe. The downtown loop is about 10 miles and gets a little confusing where the Red River meets the Red Lake River. The bikeway map on the city website is a lot better than the map on the Greenway website.
If you are staying at one of the hotels near the Alerus Center just take the trails south and east to the south end of the river trail, would be about 25 miles round trip including the river trail.
This trail is not smooth... there are rocks, sticks, grass growing and the sticky black tar all in/on the trail! And you have to cross the railway which is not easy with skates! If you want to ride a bike I’m sure it would be no problem or if you really want a challenge while skating go for it, but I won’t be skating this trail again.. oh and it’s poorly marked so I had to turn around a couple times before I found the right direction
The trail from Hinckley to Sandstone is in dire need of resurfacing. Many parallel and perpendicular cracks have widened and pose a safety hazard. There are also numerous places along the trail from Finlayson to Matowa where wash outs have occurred and it’s been a couple years and still no blacktop ....just gravel. This beautiful trail is not getting the attention it needs because no one is demanding it.
Biked from Waterville to Faribault Sunday July 7th. Surface was in excellent shape and we knew we were in Minnesota when there was a Dairy Queen at the end of the trail. Good day of riding. Monday July 8th we biked from Elysian to Mankato. Excellent trail conditions and a fawn was on the trail. We stopped but it kept running towards until almost up to us. It stopped took a closer look and bolted into the woods. Busy trail for a Monday good to see many people out.
I started in Finlayson and rode to Moose Lake and back. This is a well-maintained and very pristine trail. Beautiful views and not a lot of traffic. There is quite a bit in Moose Lake in terms of food and beverages, so I’d recommend a stop there!
It’s a nice escape from the city, but with the view of it. I like that there are restrooms, water fountains and bathrooms. There is also a playground in the middle of the trail, if you’re a parent this is a good place to workout and have fun with your kids as well!
As a connection trail it’s good and parts out of town are nice. But there are a lot of crossings and the highway one was crazy. Pretty high speed traffic, could use an overpass or some safer way to cross.
My wife and I had to address business in Grand Forks and brought our bicycles with us. We rode this trail and found it absolutely wonderful. The paved trail hugs the Red River and the boarder of Minnesota and North Dakota. The trail is asphalt and in great condition. Many rest areas and tool/air stations. There are many bridges that you can get to East Grand Forks Minnesota and back to Grand Forks North Dakota. The trail offers a ton of food and drink stops as most of the establishment are a short hop off the trail. The trail is also a multi use trail and offers great opportunity for a urban connector trail and way to get around Grand Forks.
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