Mesabi Trail – Courtesy of the St Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
After more than 30 years of planning, construction, and fundraising, a paved bike trail ambling through 165 miles of Minnesota beauty has officially been completed—and now becomes one of the longest paved cycling trails in America.
From the Mississippi river to the wilderness of the Boundary Waters, the Mesabi Trail winds through some of the most scenic parts of the state along the Iron Range with its historic iron ore mines that fueled the US during World War II, and supplied the American steel industry—especially the Mesabi Range, which the trail was named for.
Both hilly and flat, the “well-mapped and well-maintained trail” connects 28 communities, from Grand Rapids to Ely. (Watch a video below…)
Many of the shady woods and hills were created decades ago, as heaps of earth from the mines formed man-made mountains with forests regrowing and lining the edges of the trail.
Along the way, you can explore historic buildings, mining artifacts, early industry, and ethnic and cultural history.
A unique state agency, the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR), helped fund the trail; it uses profit from the mines to enrich the community. But the project rallied partners from across the board.
Courtesy of the St Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
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“No single organization, funding source, or individual could have built what we see here today,” said IRRRB commissioner Ida Rukavina who joined a dozen officials at a ribbon cutting ceremony last Tuesday.
“This trail is the product of three decades of partnership and persistence.”
The official website can be used to plan a trip to the trail. Also, learn how you can become a volunteer caretaker.
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Although great for summer activities, including inline skating and hiking, winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing—and some portions of the trail offers snowmobile access.
Many campgrounds and local parks are easily accessible from the trail, highways, and nearby communities, with food, lodging, shopping, golfing, swimming, canoeing and fishing all in close proximity to segments of the trail—with communities and services available near all entry points.
Tens of thousands of people have already been using the trail each year, with 5 stars being awarded regularly.
(Watch the striking video below…)
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