Are you a Minnesotan looking for a new place to skate, a person new to inline skating, or just someone looking to get out on some fun trails? Well if you answered yes to any of these then this blog is made for you. We polled our team and came up with the best place to Inline Skate in Minnesota. This list is far from complete and we need your help to finish it. Send us your recommendations by emailing andrew@findenmarketing.com or by letting us know on Facebook and Instagram.
Duluth/Two Harbors:
Munger Trail – A 70-mile smooth and wide paved trail from Duluth south to Hinckley. Great for skating fast and for long distances
Park Point – Across the famous Duluth Lift Bridge, skate on Minnesota Avenue for about 4 miles out and back on the world’s largest freshwater sandbar.
Duluth Lakewalk – A paved trail that stretches nearly the whole city of Duluth, this is a classic route of over 7 miles from end to end. Note: the Lakewalk in Canal Park can be congested in the summer months.
Scenic Highway 61 – Skate on the NSIM race course! This is a classic skating destination and for good reason–follow the iconic North Shore of Lake Superior for many, many miles! Just be aware of traffic. Skate with traffic and wear high-visibility gear.
Gitchi-Gami State Trail – Keep going north to find the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail, which will ultimately run 89 miles from Two Harbors north to Grand Marais along Lake Superior.
Twin Cities:
Midtown Greenway, Minneapolis – Skate along the 5.5-mile former railroad corridor that is barrier-free, lit at night, and open 24/7. This is an awesome trail that is great for commuting from one side of Minneapolis to the other.
Roseville Oval – Got the need for speed? Check out the Oval for some interval and track work. There are many group skating and racing events at the Oval, visit their website for more information.
Gateway Trail, St. Paul – Enjoy 18 miles of paved, generally flat rails-to-trails skating from St. Paul northeast through the Twin Cities suburbs towards Stillwater.
Brown’s Creek Trail, Stillwater – Explore this 5.9-mile paved trail for many different connections to local park and trail systems and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Cleary Lake Park, Prior Lake – This paved, scenic trail circles Cleary Lake and has rest/water stops along the 3.5 mile route.
East and West River Parkway, Minneapolis – In the heart of Minneapolis, strap on your blades and travel alongside the Mississippi River on the either the east or west bank.
Baker Park Reserve, Maple Plain – Check out a challenging 12.5- mile trail system within Baker Park. If you can do a couple of hilly loops in Baker, you will be in good shape for September.
Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove – There are plenty of options with over 20 miles of paved trails within Elm Creek Park, from easy and flat to challenging.
Greater Minnesota:
Paul Bunyan Trail, Baxter – This is MN’s longest continuously paved trail through the beautiful woods of Northern Minnesota. The 120-mile trail stretches from Brainerd north to Bemidji.
Lake Bemidji Trail – Bemidji – Loop around Lake Bemidji through Lake Bemidji State park on a 17-mile paved trail, with rest and water stops along the way.
Douglas trail, Rochester - well-paved rails-to-trails line (13 miles) (Out and back end to end = Marathon distance) Much of the trail has tree coverage and is shaded and wind shielded. The Douglas southern trailhead connects to a Rochester bike path loop around a lake to the south ~6 miles out and back This passes right by Little Thistle Craft Brewery!
Mesaba Trail - Iron Range - The Mesabi Trail is 145 miles long and stretches from Grand Rapids to Ely. One of the longest trails in the state offering some great views, and the perfect multi-day adventure for anyone looking.
Cannon Valley trail - Cannon Falls - Avid Skater Mike Trantow recommended The Cannon Valley Trail is built on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad line connecting the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing in beautiful southeastern Minnesota. This paved bicycle and hiking trail is 19.7 miles of diverse and spectacular scenery. Paralleling the Cannon River, the Trail offers glimpses and panoramas of the valley and gradually descends 115 feet in elevation from Cannon Falls to Red Wing. From overhanging cliffs to views of extensive wetland complexes, nature’s seasonal changes are vividly displayed.
Dakota Rail Trail - Wayzata - This fantastic trail run 28.1 from Wayzata to Lester prairie and overlooks lakes, forests, and everything in between. A perfect journey for those looking for a longer skate and great pavement to work off of. Looking for more information check out this video that was sent our way.
Did we miss your favorite spot in MN? Email andrew@findenmarketing.com and we will add it!
The NorthShore Inline Marathon is North America's largest skating event. Hosted on the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior, NSIM offers 8 unique races for all skill types. To learn more about the NorthShore Inline marathon check out their website at www.northshoreinline.com.
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