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With stunning views of the St. Louis River as it curves around its adjoining lakes to meet the ocean, the DWP Trail offers a pleasant experience on a gentle, meandering path through the woods to the city of Duluth. The trail follows a former rail corridor previously used by the Duluth, Winnipeg, and Pacific (DWP) railroad. The route includes a tunnel under Elys Peak and two steel trestles, which now serve as pedestrian bridges. There are gates and signs with wayfinding maps at the trail's access points. The trail connects with another rail-trail, the Munger State Trail, to create a loop.
With its primarily gravel surface and gentle grading, the trail is available for walking, running, biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. This 10-foot-wide multi-use trail is ADA-compliant, making it accessible for those using mobility aids.
Parking is available by the eastern end of the trail at the Spirit Mountain Trailhead (8551 Grand Ave, Duluth). Near the western end of the trail, parking is available at the Mission Creek Parkway Trailhead (2509 Becks Rd, Duluth).
We had ridden the Munger Trail from Jay Cooke campground to the Skihut near the Spirit Bike Park and Ski Hill and a clerk in the store told us about this trail as an alternative to get back. We loved it. In that direction it’s mostly uphill, so be young and fit or have an e-bike like we did. The ride is through beautiful birch forests with views of the St. Louis River. The entrance is through the paved parking lot near the ski lift and then further up and to the right on the gravel lot. At the entrance of the trail signs warn of rocks and jumps, but that refers to the groomed mountain bike trails off to the side in the first mile or two of the trail. None of that is actually on the trail.
Signage to trailheads is poor or non-existent. Although this trail is listed as wheelchair accessible, it is not a smooth trail and gravel is fairly rough. I did not see any asphalt. The first mile or so from the western trailhead at Becks Road is shown on the on-site map as mountain biking and mostly OK for hybrid bikes but rough. The connection with the Willard Munger Trail has no signage at junction
We biked the DWP from Becks Road parking lot to Spirit Mountain then hopped on the Munger trail for the return route. I liked this route because it’s all down hill on the DWP which is dirt. Then back on the Munger all up hill because it’s paved. Trails were both in good condition & not too busy.
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