Bikers don’t have to go far from urban life to enjoy the natural world.
St. Paul and the east metro area are home to many scenic paved trails made for two-wheeled explorers. From scenic overlooks, historic landmark, and towering bluffs, there is a lot to see.
Gateway State Trail
Perhaps the most used bike trail in St. Paul is the 18-mile-long Gateway State Trail. Starting north of downtown near Interstate 35E, the trail is known for its scenery, taking bikers around Phalen Park and passed the giant snowman in North St. Paul. The trail keeps going, ending at Pine Point Park near Stillwater.
A virtual tour from the Minnesota Department of Transportation shows the route. Currently, there are two detours on the trail due to construction.
Brown’s Creek State Trail
Starting in Grant Park in connection to the Gateway Trail, Brown’s Creek State Trail runs 5.9 miles long, ending at the St. Croix in Stillwater. About two miles of the trail runs along Brown’s Creek, home to many trout. One mile of the trail follows the St. Croix scenic riverway.
Bruce Vento Regional Trail
On the site of an abandoned railroad corridor, Bruce Vento Regional Trail provides about seven miles of paved bike trail. It passes active railways, goes under a historic bridge and is mainly off main roads. It connects to the Gateway Trail and a trail at Lake Phalen about one mile long.
St. Croix Crossing Loop Trail
A loop trail is under construction connecting the old Stillwater Lift Bridge to the St. Croix Crossing Bridge. The trail will allow bikers to start in downtown Stillwater, cross the bridge and continue on the Wisconsin side. The lift bridge will be accessible to bikers, but will still lift to accommodate for boats.
The trail opening has been delayed due to the closure of the lift bridge from high waters until further notice. The rest of the trail is available to the public.
Big Rivers Regional Trail
Running from Eagan to Lilydale, the Big Rivers Regional Trail gives a view of both Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. The four-and-a-half-mile-long trail goes passed Fort Snelling and the historic city, Mendota. The scenic trail is paved and biker-friendly.
Mississippi River Trail
The Minnesota portion of the Mississippi Trail is a total of 21.5 miles long and consists of two segments. The northern section shows more of the industrial side of the river, offering less scenery.
The Southern Section, starting around the Pine Bend Bluffs Trailhead between Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount, gives panoramic views of the river and bluffs. It follows quiet country roads and farmlands along with the riverfront.
The trail itself travels about 800 miles, following the Mississippi River from its source in Itasca State Park.
Reservoir Woods Trail
At 1.3 miles long, the Reservoir Woods trail near Roseville is surrounded by trees, immersing bikers in nature. It’s a good spot to see wildlife and is an ideal location for beginner level bikers. The trail also hooks up to the Lake McCarrons trail which can be followed to Trout Brook Trail.