40 Scenic Bike Trails in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities is a beautiful place to live. There are many reasons why people would want to live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, but one of the best features is the scenic bike trails in the Twin Cities that run through the city.
The Twin Cities has some of the best-paved bike trails in the country and there are trails for every type of cyclist from beginner to expert. You’ll also find miles of mountain bike trails hidden in parks around the cities.
Lately, many people have been talking about how great it is to be able to bike around town without worrying about getting hit by a car or truck. It has made biking more popular than ever and it’s really fun for beginners who want a scenic ride around town without having to go on a long ride on dirt or gravel roads.
In Minnesota, we love being outdoors. This summer, with travel costs starting, I found myself dusting off my bike and hitting the different scenic bike trails in the Twin Cities.
We have a great selection of local trials, mountain biking, state trails, and regional park trials. One thing is for sure, you don’t have to look far for a nearby bike ride.
40 Scenic Bike Trails in the Twin Cities
Bde Maka Ska
Length: 3.2 miles
Location: Minneapolis
This easy route is around Lake Bed Maka Ska. Just one of the lakes in the Chain of Lake in Minneapolis. Set in an urban setting, on one side you see beautiful houses and residential neighborhoods in Uptown. You’ll also pass by the Baken Museum. The other side is the beautiful Bde Maka Ska Lake with the Minneapolis Skyline in the background.
The Lake is a popular spot, with people swimming, walking and running on the trials. They have separate paths for bikers to ease congestion. The best times to visit is April through October.
Brown’s Creek State Trail
Length: 5.9 miles long
Location: Stillwater
The Brown’s Creek State Trail is a 5.9-mile trail that connects the Gateway State Trail in Stillwater. The trail is wide and flat, perfect for biking or walking. It’s also a great option for families with young kids, as there are plenty of safe areas to stop and play along the way. The trail starts out with an amazing view of the St. Croix River, before handing island.
Baker Park Reserve
Length: 12.5 miles
Location: Medina
Mountain Bike Trails
Baker Park Reserve is one of the best places to mountain bike in Medina. The trails are well-maintained and are perfect for a beginner, or someone looking to explore some new terrain. The park also has a paved bike trail, which is great for riding around town.
Bassett Creek Regional Trail
Length: 7 miles paved
Location: New Hope, Basset and Lewiston
The Bassett Creek Regional Trail connects the communities of New Hope, Bassett, and Lewiston, Minnesota. The trail is a paved bike path that runs for 7 miles that connects French Regional Park to Theodore Wirth Regional Park. There is plenty of scenic views along the way
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Big Woods Regional Trail
Length: 12.4 miles paved
Location: Wayzata
If you’re in the mood for a scenic ride, take the bike trail at Big Woods Regional Trail in Wayzata. The path winds its way through tall pines and maples, with occasional sweeping views of the countryside. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a great option for cyclists of all levels.
Bryant Lake Regional Trail
Length: 2 miles paved
Location: Eden Prairie
The bike trail at Bryant Lake Regional Trail in Eden Prairie is a great way to get some exercise, explore the area, and connect with nature.
The trail is well-maintained and offers a variety of terrain, including a few steep hills. The trail provides access to a beautiful lake and several other recreation options, such as fishing and hiking.
Carver Park Reserve
Length: 9 miles of trails
Location: Waconia
The Bike Trail at Carver Park Reserve in Waconia is a great place to ride your bike. It has a nice mix of paved and unpaved trails. The paved trail is about 1.5 miles long and goes through a wooded area.
The unpaved trail goes through a prairie area. There are several overlooks along the way that give you a great view of the surrounding countryside.
Cedar Lake Regional Trail
Length: 4.5 miles paved
Location: St. Louis Park to Minneapolis
If you’re looking for a scenic ride on a bike, the Cedar Lake Regional Trail in St Louis Park is a great place to start. The trail winds its way through the woods, with stunning views of the city skyline in the distance.
The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, so you’ll be able to take your time exploring all the different corners it has to offer.
The Chain of Lakes
Length: 15 miles paved
Location: Minneapolis
Minneapolis has some of the nicest groupings of lakes, all with a view of downtown city life. Known as the Chain of Lakes, Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Islands, Bada Make Ska and Lake Harriet all connect on a 15-mile route used by walkers, runners, bikers, and everyone in between.
There is always someone enjoying these trails any time of year. Parking is found on the street around the lakes.
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Cleary Lake Regional Park
Length: 3.5 miles
Location: Prior Lake
Mountain Bike Trails
The Cleary Lake Regional Park bike trails are an excellent way to get some exercise without leaving the park. The trails wind around the lakeshore and through the woods, making them both easy and scenic to ride.
There are also several small suspension bridges to cross over the various creeks that run through the park.
Crystal Lake Regional Trail
Length: 4.3 miles paved
Location: Crystal and Robbinsdale
The bike trail at Crystal Lake Regional Trail provides a safe and scenic route for cyclists of all abilities. The trail winds its way through the woods, around lakes, and past streams and rivers, making it the perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon.
There is also a greenway in the northwest suburbs that offers a similar experience, but with more opportunities to connect with nature on foot.
Dakota Rail Regional Trail
Length: 13.5 miles
Location: Wayzata, Mound, Minnetrista and St Bonifacius
Bike trail at Dakota Rail Regional Trail in Wayzata. Spectacular views of lake Minnetonka await riders on this paved pathway that winds its way through the woods.
The trail is popular with cyclists and runners, making it a great place to exercise in nature.
Eagle Lake Regional Park
Length: 1 mile
Location: Maple Grove
Mountain Bike Trails
The Eagle Lake Regional Park Bike Trail is an easy-to-ride trail that connects the regional park with the town of Maple Grove. The trail is paved and mostly flat, making it a great option for beginner mountain bikers.
The trail leads through a variety of wooded and open areas and offers stunning views of Eagle Lake.
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Length: 20 miles
Location: Maple Grove
Mountain Bike Trails
As the largest park in the Three Rivers Park system, they feature some great biking trails and mountain biking. The bike trail is along the wooded lots, old farm fields, and wetlands.
The trail system connects to the Rush Creek and Medicine Lake Regional Trails.
Fish Lake Regional Park
Length: 3 Miles
Location: Maple Grove
The Bike Trail at Fish Lake Regional Park in Maple Grove is a great place to get some exercise while enjoying the scenery.
The trail winds its way through the forest and around the lakes and is moderately trafficked, so it is a good option for cyclists of all abilities. There are several picnic areas scattered along the trail, making it a popular spot for lunch.
French Regional Park
Length: 4.6 miles
Location: Plymouth
Bike trails at French Regional Park in Plymouth, MN offer a great way to get outdoors and explore the park. The paved trails meander through the picturesque woods and are perfect for biking, walking, running or rollerblading.
There are also a few short sections that are suitable for horseback riding. The park is home to a large pond and several playgrounds, making it the perfect spot for a family picnic.
Grand Rounds
Length: 50 miles
Location: Minneapolis
50 miles of the country’s longest continuous system of public urban parkways. The Grand Rounds connected the Downtown Riverfront, Mississippi River, and the Chain of Lakes, to Theodore Wirth Parkway, and Victory Memorial.
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Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Length: 8.6 miles
Location: Bloomington
The Hyland Lake Park Reserve Bike Trail provides cyclists with a scenic and challenging ride through rolling hills and tree-lined trails.
The trail is well-maintained and includes a variety of terrain that ranges from paved pathways to gravel trails. The reserve is also home to an Interpretive Center and a playground, making it the perfect place to spend a summer day.
Lake Independence Regional Trail
Length: 15.9 miles paved
Location: Loretto
The Lake Independence Regional Trail runs for 25 miles through the rolling hills of Loratto, Minnesota. The trail is a great way to get exercise and see some of the beautiful scenery around Loratto.
The bike trail is paved with a few sections that are dirt, making it easy to ride your bike. There are also a couple of bridges that cross over creeks and streams, making the trail very scenic.
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
Length: 3.2 miles
Location: Minnetrista
The Bike Trail at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in Minnetrista is an easy and scenic ride for bicyclists of all levels. The trail winds its way past gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding landscape, with a few connector trails to other regional parks for a total of about 40 miles.
There are plenty of rest stops, drinking water, and restrooms along the way, so riders can enjoy the ride without having to worry about packing a lot in the way of supplies.
Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail
Length: 15.8 miles aggregate
Location: Minnetonka, Deephaven, Excelsior, and Victoria
Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail in Excelsior features a bike trail that runs along the southern perimeter of the lake. The trail is well-maintained and features a variety of terrain, including wooded areas, open fields, and a twisting path around the edge of the water.
Cyclists can enjoy a ride around the perimeter of the lake or take longer rides on the more challenging trails that wind through the forest. Stop into the small towns and get a treat!
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
Length: 7.8
Location: Rockford
Mountain Bike Trails
The bike trail at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve is a great way to get your exercise. The trail winds its way around the lake and is well-maintained. The trail is also wheelchair-accessible, so everyone can enjoy it. The park has a large playground for kids and there are even mountain biking trails.
Lebanon Hills
Miles: 19 miles of trails
Location: Eagan
Lebanon Hills has some great mountain biking opportunities, through the woods. With miles of rolling wooded single-track bike trails. They are a great place to challenge riders, through a unique part of the Twin Cities.
Lilydale Regional Park
Length: 5.5 miles
Location: Saint Paul
The Lilydale Regional Park bike trial is a perfect location for cyclists of all levels of experience. The 5.5 mile trail runs through the woods and meadows of the park and offers a variety of terrain for all levels including hills, flats, and tight turns.
There are also several connectors to other trails in the park, so you can explore as much or as little of the trail as you want. The trial is open from sunrise to sunset, so there is never a shortage of fun.
Luce Line Regional Trail
Miles: 63
Location: Carver, Hutchinson, Lyndale, Plymouth, Watertown, Winsted
This is a beautiful Luce Line trail running from Plymouth to Hutchinson, along the former railroad. The trail is popular for biking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain, bike, and snowmobiling. With crushed limestone trail for the first 30 miles before transitioning to paved.
Medicine Lake Regional Trail
Length: 20.7 miles paved
Location: Maple Grove and Plymouth
The Medicine Lake Regional Trail connected Elm Creek Park Reserve, Fish land, and French Regional Park. The trial is a paved 20.7 mile one way trail. Along the way, you’ll see the beautiful Medicine Lake and Rice Lake.
Midtown Greenway
Length: 5.5 miles paved
Location: Minneapolis
The Midtown Greenway is a 5.5 mile railroad corridor in south Minneapolis. This trail is shared by bikers and runners. It connects the chain of lakes to the Southwest LTR Trail, making it easy for commuters to use.
What makes this trail is a scenic gem is the paths are separated from the city, giving you a safe and barrier-free ride at all times. The Greenway stays lit 24/7 and plowed during the winter.
Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail
Length: 9.2 aggregate
Location: Hopkins, Eden Prairie, Chaka
The Bike Trail at Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail in Eden Prairie is a great way to connect with other trails in the area. This bike trail provides a scenic path that runs along the Minnesota River, and it is easy to access from both the city and surrounding suburbs. This is one of my favorite Scenic bike trails in the Twin Cities.
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Monarch Single Track Trail
Length: 10 miles
Location: Carver Park Reserve in Victoria
Mountain Bike Trails
The Monarch Single Track Trail is a great place to ride your bike. The trail winds its way through the carver park reserve, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you entertained. The best part is that the trail is close to home, so you can ride it whenever you want.
Murphy-Hanrehan Single Track Trail
Length: 10 miles
Location: Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Prior Lake
Mountain Bike Trails
The Bike Trail at Murphy-Hanrehan Single Track Trail in the Murphy Hanrehen Park Reserve in Prior Lake gives bikers an amazing off-road experience. Bike through hills, turn, and more within the wooded park reserve. The trail is open year-round.
Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
Length: 15.3 miles paved
Location: Hopkins
Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail in Hopkins is a great place to bike. The trail is relatively flat and provides a great way to get exercise. The trail is also close to many different areas, making it a great place to go for a run or walk. The trial runs through some back areas of Hopkins you don’t normally see.
Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail
Length: 5 miles paved
Location: Richfield
The Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail is a paved bike trail that runs through the heart of Richfield. The trail is made up of several connected loops that offer riders everything from easy paved paths to more challenging trails with steep hills and twisty turns. The trails are well maintained and make for a great ride for all levels of cyclists.
North Cedar Lake Regional Trail
Length: 4.4 miles paved
Location: Minneapolis
The North Cedar Lake Regional Trail winds its way around the north side of Cedar Lake, providing cyclists and walkers with a scenic route connecting the city to rural areas.
The paved pathway is 4.4 miles long, and is accessible from many neighborhoods in northeast Minneapolis. Visitors can enjoy views of the lake and countryside while taking in the sights and sounds of biodiversity.
Rush Creek Regional Trail
Length: 9.9 miles paved
Location: Minneapolis
The Rush Creek Regional Trail is a paved biking and walking trail that runs through Minneapolis. It is 9.9 miles long and is part of the city’s network of trails. The trail is popular among locals and tourists, who enjoy using it to get around the city.
Shingle Creek Regional Trail
Length: 8.4 miles paved
Location: Brooklyn Center
The Shingle Creek Regional Trail is a paved bike trail that runs from Brooklyn Center to Brooklyn Park. The trail is 8.4 miles long and is open to pedestrians, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts.
The trail follows Shingle Creek through rural areas and provides a scenic route between Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park.
Spring Lake Regional Park
Length: 3 miles
Location: Prior Lake
The Spring Lake Regional Park bike trail winds its way through the lush, green woods of the park. The trail is easy to follow and provides a relaxing ride for cyclists of all skill levels.
The 3-mile loop provides plenty of opportunities to explore the many scenic sights and sounds of the park.
Theodore Wirth Parkway
Length: 9.2 miles paved
Location: Minneapolis
The Theodore Wirth Parkway Bike Trail is a 9.2 mile long pathway that winds through Golden Valley and provides cyclists and pedestrians with a scenic route through the rural area.
The trail begins at the entrance of the Theodore Wirth Parkway in the town of Ramsey and passes by lakes, streams, and woods before ending in the city of Burnsville.
The trail is well-maintained and offers a variety of riding opportunities, including a paved segment that extends to a junction with the Minneapolis bike path.
Twin Lakes Regional Trail
Length: 4.4 miles paved
Location: Robbinsdale
The Twin Lakes Regional Trail in Robbinsdale is a great place to ride your bike. The trail is approximately 4.4 miles and is paved, making it easy to ride.
There are a few places where the trail parallels busy roads, but for the most part, it is quiet and peaceful. The trail provides a great way to explore Robbinsdale and its surrounding area and is a great Scenic Bike trail in the Twin Cities.
West Mississippi River Regional Trail
Length: 10.4 paved
Location: Brooklyn Park
The Bike Trail the West Mississippi River Trail is a paved bike trail that extends for 10.4 miles along the banks of the West Mississippi River.
The trail offers cyclists a scenic and comfortable route through Brooklyn Park, MN, and its neighboring cities.
West River Parkway
Length: 8.9 miles
Location: Minneapolis
The west river parkway trail is part of hte grand rounds national scenic byway. It’s also called the Mississippi River Gorge Regional Tirla. It extends from Boom Island and Ford Parkway. You’ll get great views of the river along the way and the iconic Minnheahah falls and access to downtown.
What is my favorite Scenic Bike Trails in the Twin Cities?
The Twin Cities is an amazing place to cycle because it has such a variety of scenic routes, whether you’re looking for something flat or steep, paved or unpaved.
Mountain biking enthusiasts will be able to find the most challenging trails they can handle while beginners will find plenty of gentle slopes to explore with their family members.
My favorite is the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail in Victoria because you can pair it with a fun city visit. Before going out make sure to tune up at local bike shops.
