Mesabi Trail: The Untapped Cycling Heaven of Minnesota’s Iconic North

July 17, 2023
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The Mesabi Trail stretches 162 miles from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids, MN, to the gateway of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in Ely, MN. To date, 156 miles are paved, with another six or so slated to be complete by next spring—it’s a not-so-little piece of paved heaven for those who enjoy unique outdoor adventures, breathtaking scenery, and areas of challenging terrain.

The trail consists of four newly defined segments—Mississippi (Grand Rapids to Nashwauk), Mesabi (Nashwauk to Gilbert), Laurentian (Gilbert to Tower), and Vermilion (Tower to Ely). Each segment offers opportunities to experience vastly different natural and manufactured landscapes—from glacial lakes to active mines, hardwood forests to tall pines, and lush wetlands to dramatic rock cuts.

The diverse flora and fauna change throughout the seasons, offering a different experience even while riding the same segment. Cyclists could see wild raspberries, a multitude of wildflowers, or even Minnesota’s state flower, the showy lady’s slipper. There is also a high probability of spotting wildlife such as whitetail deer, black bears, moose, wolves, bobcats, and waterfowl throughout the backcountry wilderness along the way.

A Paved Cycling Heaven for an Unbeatable Quality of Life

The Mesabi Trail is a challenging paved trail experience you can’t find anywhere else in Minnesota. There are curves and switchbacks, approximately 3,300 feet of elevation change over the full distance, and multiple hills of up to 8% grade that make for sustained climbs and seriously fun downhills.

This connectivity provides an unmatched quality of life for those who live and work in the beauty and wonder of northern Minnesota. Residents not only enjoy using the trail for walking, cycling, eBicycling, and jogging, but also for visiting neighboring communities. The trail provides an opportunity for residents to enjoy the Range’s most precious resource—its great outdoors—as well as attracts visitors and new residents who enjoy a similar lifestyle, support local businesses, and may one day invest in new businesses in both Itasca and St. Louis County.

Increased Visitors Spur Trail Town Economic Growth

Cyclists do more than pedal through towns. They often explore each community’s history and recreational adventures, locally sourced eats and craft brews, retail stores, bike shops, and lodging options, all of which provide a boost to the area’s economy.

The 2016 University of Minnesota’s Profile of Mesabi Trail Visitors study estimated that Mesabi Trail visitors spend an average of $143.90 per person per day during their visit to the region. This includes money spent on lodging, food and beverage, transportation, rentals, tours, and fuel.

History, Funding, and the Future

Nearly 40 years ago, residents of northeast Minnesota started discussing a way to connect their towns with a trail—a trail that could not only bring together both Itasca and St. Louis County communities but also showcase the region’s majestic forests and breathtaking iron ore formations.

During this time, the Regional Railroad Authority had been acquiring abandoned railroad grades to preserve former railroads for future transportation use, which helped launch the Rails-to-Trails Program and the Mesabi Trail. The first section of trail was built between Virginia and Parkville in 1996.

Over the course of 27 years of planning, acquiring easements, leases, purchasing lands, and talking to private landowners, the trail has grown to the 156 paved miles it is today. By 2024, the entire trail is expected to be complete, offering a grand total of 162 glorious and challenging miles.

The trail was made possible by St. Louis and Itasca railroad authorities joining together to secure the Mississippi segment of the trail, funding from a number of sources: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and federal grants, state bond dollars, Railroad Authority dollars, the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR), the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) by way of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), and the Minnesota Legacy Fund—many of these sources also provide ongoing funding for trail maintenance. Today, the continued expansion of the trail is the accountability of the St. Louis and Lake County RRA.

The Mesabi Trail is also supported through the sale of three-day and annual Wheel Passes online and at local vendors. Wheel Passes are required for trail users ages 18 and older on wheels (i.e., inline skates, bicycles, eBicycles, and skateboards).

Learn More About Mesabi Trail

The Mesabi Trail offers cyclists, joggers, hikers, and walkers a chance to explore the vast wilderness, explore unique communities, and traverse Minnesota’s historic and iconic wild north. It’s a one-of-a-kind trail in a one-of-a-kind place. Plan your adventure or learn more at www.mesabitrail.com.