09/17/2026
We’re lucky this trail passes by our doors- come take a ride and enjoy the fall colors!
Thirty years in the making, Northern Minnesota’s most ambitious trail project has officially crossed the finish line today.
The final stretch of the Mesabi Trail is complete. Stretching roughly 165 continuous paved miles between the Grand Rapids area and Ely, the route connects 28 northern communities through the heart of the Iron Range and boreal wilderness.
Regional partners, trail builders, and riders gathered this afternoon at Tower Depot Park for the official ribbon cutting to celebrate the completed corridor.
What began in the 1990s as a bold regional recreation concept has grown into one of the longest continuous paved trail systems in the country:
• 165 continuous miles connecting Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Virginia, Eveleth, Biwabik, Tower, Soudan, and Ely
• Traverses old railroad beds, historic mine overlooks, northern hardwood ridges, and boreal pine forests
• Seamless access across 28 communities for biking, walking, rollerblading, and running
Whether you ride a single segment between towns or take on the full cross Range haul, the trail stands as a historic accomplishment for regional recreation and community connection.
Reporting and trail details courtesy of the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority and the Mesabi Trail
Have you ridden the trail this season, or what is your favorite stretch of the 165 miles?
