Northern Minnesota Trails Bike Tour
USA
7 days (Bike: 6 days)
325 mi (~54mi per day)
Avid
Quiet roads, Some hills
Guided
Supported
A loop through the lakes and pine forests of north-central Minnesota, riding the paved Paul Bunyan and Heartland trails.
This six-day tour explores Minnesota's northern woods and lake country, a region well suited to gravel and road cyclists, swimmers, anglers and hikers alike. Starting and finishing in the lakefront town of Merrifield, riders follow the well-paved Paul Bunyan and Heartland trails, along with quiet country roads through small towns on the northern reaches of the Mississippi River.
Along the way there are statues and parks celebrating Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, plus stops at Lake Itasca and Lake Bemidji, with time for lakeside swimming and fishing at several overnight resorts. The tour is timed for late summer, once school holidays end and the trails are quieter.
Overnights are spent at lakefront resorts including Chase on the Lake and a DoubleTree on Lake Bemidji, with most meals included and group dinners on several evenings.
Highlights:
- Ride the paved Paul Bunyan and Heartland trails through Minnesota's lake country
- Statues and parks celebrating Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
- Lake Itasca and lakeside riding around Lake Bemidji
- Swimming, fishing and other lake activities at overnight resorts
- Quiet country and county roads through northern pine forests
- Small towns along the northern reaches of the Mississippi River
Surface and terrain:
Well-paved rail trails (Paul Bunyan, Heartland) combined with quiet rural and county roads. Notably hilly for the region, with roughly 2,800m of total elevation gain across the tour.
Suitable for: Advanced recreational to advanced cyclists able to average 10-15mph. Tricycles and e-bikes over 42lbs are not accommodated.
Tour Information
From
Merrifield/Brainerd, Minnesota
To
Merrifield/Brainerd, Minnesota
Cost From
Guided US$ 3500
Departure(s)
-2027: August 27-September 2
Single Supplement
$600
Elevation Gain
9196
Inclusions
- 2 guides and a mechanic
- Van support (snacks and beverages)
- All lodging (6 nights) plus luggage transfers
- Airport transfers
- Breakfasts and picnic lunches on riding days; dinners all evenings but one
- Cocktail social hour on the first evening
- Maps and electronic mapping
Exclusions
- Airfare
- Souvenirs
- 12% gratuity for guides, mechanics and tour staff (not included, appreciated)
- An extra night's accommodation for air travellers needing the Day 7 shuttle to Minneapolis-St Paul (not included)
Options
- Road bike rental from $295 (no tricycles or e-bikes over 42lbs)
Additional
- Riders must be able to average 10-15mph
- Orientation held 5pm the evening before riding starts, with a group dinner
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