Location, Length and Alternatives
Minnesota’s Mississippi River Trail winds roughly 620 miles downriver from its source within Itasca State Park to the Iowa border. Located largely on the shoulders of paved roads and on low traffic roads, the route also includes relatively long segments of scenic state and regional trails.
Bicyclists have two northerly route alternatives between Cass Lake and Brainerd: there’s an on-road route that closely parallels the river and an off-road route that is suitable for use by a wide variety of bicyclists (including young people and adults new to bicycle touring). The on-road distance between Cass Lake and Brainerd is roughly 200 miles; the off-road distance is roughly 100 miles. The off-road route does not closely follow the river but instead travels on the popular Paul Bunyan State Trail and the Heartland State Trail, both of which are paved “rail-trails”.
Throughout the 72-mile long Twin Cities Metro Area, the MRT is routed on both sides of the river—you can pick a side or ride both. The bikeway is located within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA), an urban national park and there’s lots to see. Although much of the route is presently on-road, several off-road regional trails suitable for a wide variety of bicyclists are featured within this segment (local and regional planning is presently underway for several new off-road river-oriented trails with the eventual outcome being a continuous 144-mile off-road Metropolitan river loop).
Finally to the south, bicyclists can remain on roads below the Mississippi River bluffs or ride the Apple Blossom Scenic Byway. The byway features a 578-feet climb (and descent) that allows bicycle adventurers a view of the Mississippi uplands as well as long, spectacular views of the river and adjoining bottom lands. It also offers access to Great River Bluffs State Park.
Grade and Surfaces
Even though bicyclists know that rolling terrain has its periodic challenges (especially when considering wind direction), compared Nationally to bicycling opportunities within the Appalachian, Rocky or Smokey Mountains this route is “relatively” flat. This is especially true for those utilizing the Paul Bunyan and Heartland State Trails between Cass Lake and Brainerd (and other rail-trails within the Twin Cities Metro Area) which have a maximum sustained grade of 3 percent. The steepest climb (and descent) of the road route is 578 feet and is located on the 17-mile Apple Blossom Scenic Byway.
With one exception, the entire route is hard surfaced. On the road route between Grand Rapids and Brainerd, there are two short segments of gravel road in Aitkin County between the cities of Palisade and the City of Aitkin (the two gravel road sections are noted on the map with “limitations”). Bicyclists can avoid this section by choosing a paved route with more traffic, services and limited visual access to the Mississippi River.
Navigating the Route
The MRT has only been partially signed in the Twin Cities. There are no signs posted elsewhere along the route within Minnesota. Do not expect to navigate following signs. Mn/DOT hopes to have signs installed in 2012. Therefore, until the new trail signing is installed, you will need to use maps within Minnesota to negotiate the route.
Riding Safety
MRT visitors: whenever on roads, remember you are a vehicle—non-motorized—but nevertheless, a vehicle.
We want you to enjoy your travels so please ride safely and abide by the rules of the road. Ride single file with traffic; use hand signals to indicate turns and movements; stop at stop signs and signals; don't ride on sidewalks; and be considerate where and when you park and lock your bike. When on paved paths, you will be sharing space with other bicyclists, rollerbladers, pedestrians, and families with small children. Make sure to alert them to your presence. In some cases, bicyclists wishing to ride at high speeds have a choice to ride in the road adjacent to the path.