Biking the Best Trails in Minnesota

One of the best things about living in Minnesota is there's always a park or trail nearby, so whatever sport or activity you are into, you can find a place to do it. This holds true for mountain biking. There are natural and man-made trails, trails for beginners and trails for the experts. Here's a look at the top three trails in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota.

Lebanon Hills in Eagan, MN.

I have to mention Lebanon Hills first and foremost. It's one of the best trails for mountain biking in the area, if not the state. This trail was specifically built for mountain biking. It features gravel and dirt roads, as well as many obstacles. There is a specific trail for beginners, and then more advanced trails for those that have more experience. But still be careful, people have fallen. Not me of course, but I've seen it. I've never gotten the courage up to jump the woodpile, but it's pretty impressive when you do. There's some great bridges and logs to roll over as well, so you'll have plenty of options. It's a beautiful area and quiet, so you'll have a great time out there.

Visit www.co.dakota.mn.us for more details.

Bloomington Ferry Trail Mountain Bike Trail in Bloomington, MN

This a great trail, but it's pretty simple. So if you are looking for some crazy obstacles, you are best going elsewhere. However, it's a great trail if you are just beginning. It's a singletrack that is about 13 miles, and the vegetation is beautiful. The only bad thing is that the trail is near the river, so it's definitely prone to flooding. Which means it might open up later in the season too. Check out http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/bloomington-ferry-trail.html for more information.

Battle Creek Regional Park in St. Paul, MN

This trail is nice because it's located right in downtown St. Paul. You can leave the city for some dense forest biking. There's a lot of wildlife, including deer. It's a shorter trail, but it's on a loop so you can do it a couple of times, and there's a lot of variety. There are a lot of downhills, so be careful when you head down a hill. It goes pretty fast. It's not exactly for beginners, so you'll probably want to have a little bit of experience before you head out on this trail. Check out www.trails.com for more information.