Roseville's Reservoir Woods Trail.

Hello, and welcome to Metro Bike Trails Guide. My name is Séamus Flynn. This website contains reviews of different bicycle trails (most of which are paved) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul five-county metro area. Here we have a growing -- and already huge -- number of bike trails. Over the next few years, I will be posting reviews as I systematically bike the trails. I'll also post good routes that use my favorite trails. Whether you're out for a spin 'round the lake or a trek 'cross the state, I hope you find this site helpful for finding new trails to bike.

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FAQs

What is your favorite trail?
It would be unfair to all the trails out there to name a single favorite. The Reservoir Woods Trail features a winning combination of huge, fun hills and lush woods. I also flip for the unspoiled woods and meadows along the Elm Creek Park Trail and the wow-inducing wetlands and woods along the Northern Segment of the Rice Creek North Trail, and the Snail Lake Trail. My favorite trails in each county are shown in the slideshow. →

Do you need a pass to bike on any trails in this area?
Not on any trails in Minnesota! However, on Wisconsin State Trails, a pass is required for everyone 16 and up. Annual $20, daily $4.

What are some of the nicest trails around for beginners?
Rail trails pop to mind, however, some (like the Gateway and Bruce Vento) are very busy and have steep trailside drop-offs that are unfenced. The best ones for learning to bike are in fact a ways out of town, like the Stower Seven Lakes Trail. Trails that are in very flat wetland areas (like the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Trail) are also great for beginners, and can be much more interesting than rail trails.

What's a good ride for challenging training without interruption?
Try looping around Medicine Lake in Plymouth. This loop has tons of strenuous hills, and the only roads it crosses in its whole seven miles are side streets. Be sure to slow down on the Luce Line section, however. The Reservoir Woods Trail in Roseville is really short, but biking some of its hills is one of the toughest workouts around. Link it up with Lake McCarrons and you can do lots of hard laps.

I know of many trails along the Mississippi River, but are there any worthwhile trails on the Minnesota River?
Absolutely. The Big Rivers Trail and the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Trail offer spectacular views of the Minnesota Valley. However, if you want to get intimate with the river itself, you'll have to some mountain biking. The Mendota Trail is highly recommended for this purpose, and, if you're up for a twisty singletrack, the Minnesota River Bottoms Trail.

Top Trails Slideshow!

Sources

These are some of the websites that helped me locate and find more information on the trails I biked and reviewed.