Northern Minnesota Trails Bike Tour

Discover a side of Northern Minnesota unlike anywhere you’ve cycled before. Its northern woods and lake country offer a paradise for family vacationers, adventure seekers, nature lovers, gravel and road cyclists, and anyone drawn to quiet country trails.

In north-central Minnesota, avid gravel and road cyclists can enjoy scenic bike routes, lush state parks, swimming, hiking, canoeing, and fishing on the state’s beautiful trout lakes and rivers. The tour starts in the beautiful lakefront town of Merrifield.

Our routes wind through small towns along the northern reaches of the Mississippi River, including the beautifully paved Paul Bunyan and Heartland trails.

Along the way, you’ll find statues and parks celebrating the legendary characters Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

This tour is perfectly timed for the end of the tourist season, when children from warmer southern regions and big cities are back in school, leaving the lakes, forests, and trails quieter and more open to enjoy.

If you love peaceful roads and trails for cycling, cool lakes for fishing and swimming, delicious baked walleye, and classic childhood storybook characters, this tour is a must.

Orientation: August 27, 2027 at 5:00PM – at our starting hotel, Train Bell, Group Dinner. We ride the next morning.

Day 1 – Merrifield/Brainerd | Paul Bunyan Trail | Walker, MN- Chase on the Lake Resort

     Ride the Scenic Paul Bunyan trail northbound. Lakeside activities available at our resort.

53 miles, 1227’ elevation

Day 2 – Walker, MN | Heartland Trail |  Park Rapids picnic lunch | return cycling to Walker- Chase on the Lake Resort

     Cycle the quiet and beautifully paved Heartland Trail. Enjoy water activities available at the resort. Group dinner

67 miles, 2123‘ elevation

Day 3 – Walker, MN | Paul Bunyan Trail northbound | Bemidji, MN - Doubletree Resort on Lake Bemidji

     Cycle the quiet and beautifully-paved Heartland Trail, and water activities are available at the resort - Group dinner

 32 miles, 783’  elevation

Day 4 –  Bemidji | Local lakefront riding, small rural roads | beach and lake activities - Doubletree Resort

     Ride the lakeside and country roads beside the Turtle River and the Mississippi River. Lakeside activities available. Dinner is on your own.

 40.7 miles, 1100’ elevation

Day 5 –  Bemidji | Lake Itasca | Country roads | parts of the Paul Bunyan Trail |Walker, MN - Chase on the Lake Resort

     Cycle the quiet country and county roads through northern pine forests

69.4 miles, 2367’ elevation

Day 6 – Walker | Paul Bunyan Trail southbound | Merrifield/ Brainerd, MN

     Ride the Scenic Paul Bunyan Trail southbound.  Quiet residential and country roads in the lakes region.

     Dinner is on your own.  END OF TRIP. (Guests who came by air, require an extra overnight stay for the next morning shuttle to Minneapolis)

 67.7 miles, 1596’ elevation

Day 7 – Shuttle leaves for MSP at 8 AM to arrive by 11 AM

Special Note:

We cannot accommodate tricycles or e-bikes over 42 lbs. Riders must average 10-15 mph. This is a ride for advanced recreational to advanced cyclists only.

• 2 Guides
• Van Support (snacks and beverages)
• Maps
• All lodging
• Luggage transfers
• Transfers to and from the airport
• All breakfasts and picnic lunches on riding days, dinners on all evenings except one
• Cocktail social hours on the 1st evening of each tour
• Electronic Mapping
• Mechanic

Accommodations

Six nights' lodging is included

• Airfare.
• Souvenirs.
• 12% gratuity for guides, mechanics, volunteers and tour staff is not included, but greatly appreciated.