Minnesota Trail Guide: Exploring The Mesabi Trail (Grand Rapids to Ely, MN)
🌲 Discover the beauty of Minnesota on the Mesabi Trail! Uncover hidden gems and scenic spots with our helpful trail guide. 🌼 #Minnesota #TrailGuide #HeartlandStateTrail
GRAND RAPIDS, MN – The Mesabi Trail is a remarkable 150-mile paved pathway that takes you on a captivating Minnesota journey from the mighty Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to the serene Boundary Waters in Ely.
With plans to expand to 165 miles in the coming years, this trail offers a diverse range of scenery, from breathtaking views of mining operations to secluded woods, lush vegetation, and tranquil mine lakes and reservoirs.
🌿 A Trail Through Diverse Landscapes
As you traverse the Mesabi Trail, you’ll find yourself immersed in a variety of landscapes, including forests, meadows, rivers, streams, and lakes. The trail is situated in a region bounded by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the east and the Mississippi River to the west, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and the rich heritage of the area’s hardy pioneers.
Unlike many other paved trails in Minnesota, the Mesabi Trail is constructed from a combination of old logging and mining roads, former roadways, abandoned rail grades, and newly built trail sections. The trail even features a couple of floating bridges, adding to the excitement and variety of your journey.
🌉 Spectacular Views and Iconic Landmarks
One of the trail’s most impressive features is Minnesota’s tallest bridge, located just outside of Virginia. Spanning 1,132 feet and rising 200 feet above the surface of the Rouchleau mine lake, this bridge offers a spectacular view from your bike seat that you won’t soon forget.
Currently, over 75 continuous miles of the trail stretch from Grand Rapids to McKinley. After a short diversion to the shoulder of Highway 135, riders can reconnect with the trail just outside of Biwabik. Another 24 miles of the trail travel from Biwabik through Giant’s Ridge Recreation Area to just outside of Tower, including a ¾-mile long floating bridge that crosses the Embarrass Wetland Complex and the Darwin Meyers Wildlife Management Area. The segment from Tower through the new Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park into Ely is now complete, offering even more opportunities for exploration.
🏛️ Exploring Local History and Culture
The Mesabi Trail also connects to several communities along the way, each with its own unique attractions and points of interest. In Chisholm, you can visit the Minnesota Discovery Center, while Eveleth is home to the US Hockey Hall of Fame and the world’s largest hockey stick sculpture.
When you’re ready to take a break from cycling, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in the area. You can tour a mine, visit a logging camp, explore the Greyhound bus museum, or even see the childhood homes of legendary entertainers Judy Garland and Bob Dylan.
🏕️ Amenities and Accommodations
Many campgrounds and local parks are easily accessible from the Mesabi Trail, as well as nearby highways and communities. You’ll find a range of amenities and services, including food, lodging, shopping, antiquing, golfing, fishing, camping, and swimming, all in close proximity to various segments of the trail.
🌲 The Mesabi Trail
The Mesabi Trail showcases Minnesota’s dedication to conserving its natural splendor and cultural legacy, while offering a distinctive and engaging recreational experience for visitors and residents. Boasting diverse terrain, awe-inspiring vistas, and connections to local communities and attractions, this trail presents an unforgettable adventure across the captivating landscapes of Minnesota’s Iron Range region.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a new way to explore this fascinating region, the Mesabi Trail promises an adventure you won’t soon forget.
🌍 Explore Minnesota’s Trails
Plan your next adventure! Check out these related articles…
- Blazing Star State Trail (Albert Lea, MN)
- Brown’s Creek State Trail (Stillwater, MN)
- Camden Regional Trail (Marshall, MN)
- Cannon Valley Trail (Cannon Falls to Red Wing, MN)
- Casey Jones State Trail (Pipestone, MN)
- Central Lakes State Trail (Fergus Falls to Osakis, MN)
- Gateway State Trail (St. Paul, MN)
- Gitchi-Gami State Trail (North Shore, MN)
- Glacial Lakes State Trail (Willmar to Paynesville, MN)
- Heartland State Trail (Park Rapids to Cass Lake, MN)
- Lake Wobegon Regional Trail (Waite Park to Osakis, MN)
- Luce Line State Trail (Plymouth, MN)
- Luverne Loop Trail (Luverne, MN)
- Mesabi Trail (Grand Rapids to Ely, MN)
- Paul Bunyan State Trail (Brainerd to Bemidji, MN)
- Root River And Harmony-Preston Valley State Trails (Lanesboro, MN)
- Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail (Mankato to Faribault, MN)
- Shooting Star State Trail (Le Roy to Austin, MN)
- St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail (Stillwater, MN to Wisconsin)
- Willard Munger State Trail (Hinckley to Duluth, MN)
Watch Video: The Beauty of Minnesota (Ultra HD 4K)
Embark on a breathtaking visual journey through the diverse landscapes of Minnesota, from its tranquil northern woods to its vibrant cityscapes. Experience the Land of 10,000 Lakes in stunning Ultra HD 4K. Music composed and performed by Kitty Norton.
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🗣 Have you ever explored the Mesabi Trail? What is your favorite Minnesota trail? Let others know! We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
