Minnesota's Best Gravel Biking Routes
Minnesota is home to a whopping 70,000 miles of public gravel roads and hundreds of miles of unpaved bike trails. All that mileage means ample opportunities to turn your next trip into a gravel bike ride.
Gravel cycling offers the best of both road and mountain biking — the speed and distance of road riding with the adventure and solitude of off-road exploration. Minnesota’s thriving gravel scene has remained one of the largest in the country thanks to the state’s many well-maintained rural roads, varied terrain, and strong cycling culture.
It's so strong, in fact, that the USA Cycling Gravel National Championship will be held in the southeastern city of La Crescent on September 20 and the following year. According to Jeremiah Burish, the Director of Sports Sales & Events at Explore La Crosse, “routes from the Apple Capital of Minnesota offer rugged bluff climbs, sweeping river vistas, and quiet backroads that deliver a true test for riders and unforgettable experiences.”
This fall’s races haven’t been revealed yet, but he says to expect “a variety of options for all skill levels with 30, 60, and 100+ mile courses offered featuring over 7,000 feet of ascents, apple orchards, a gravel quarry, and more.” For now, here is Driftless Cycling's list of self-supported routes and 10 of the state’s best gravel cycling spots for training and road tripping all year round.
The Almanzo 100
The Almanzo 100 was one of the events that help kickstart the entire gravel boom and was Minnesota’s premiere gravel event until its final edition in 2018. Starting and finishing in Spring Valley, the 100-mile route showcases the very best of southeastern Minnesota’s Driftless Region. It rolls through picturesque farmland and winds between towering bluffs and lush green valleys.
Riders experience the full beauty of Minnesota’s Bluff Country, pedaling past Amish farms, across covered bridges, and through Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. The route features over 7,000 feet of climbing and some hills may require some walking.
For those looking to take their adventure further, the event also offered the Royal 162 and the Alexander 380 routes.
The Filthy 50
The Filthy 50 more than lives up to its name, offering 50 miles of challenging gravel riding through the Root River Valley region. There are also 25 and 100-mile options as well. All three routes take riders through the dramatic Bluff Country of southeastern Minnesota, combing steep climbs with technical descents that test both fitness and bike handling skills.
While the routes make for a great ride all spring and summer, fall is really where it shines, which is why the race’s organizers plan it for early October each year. The explosion of fall colors set against the Root River Valley’s many dramatic bluffs make the entire route a site to behold. All three distance start and finish in downtown Lanesboro and incorporate the area’s most scenic backroads.
Heck of the North
Starting and finishing in Two Harbors, the Heck of the North combines well-maintained gravel roads with rugged snowmobile trails to create one of Minnesota’s most challenging events. 2025 marks the 17th anniversary of Heck of the North making it one of the longest-running gravel events in the state as well. The late-season event takes place in October and pushes riders to their limits on varied terrain that includes everything from pavement to sandy, washed-out doubletrack.
The route climbs from Lake Superior into the Sawtooth Mountains, offering spectacular views. Dense forests, a stream crossing, and the possibility for early snow make the Heck of the North a true Minnesota adventure that tests bike handling skills as much as fitness. While the 100-mile route isn’t for beginners, event organizers Heck of the North Productions also offer 60-mile and 19-mile options to cover all experience levels.
The Heywood
Picking up right where the Almanzo 100 left off, the Heywood was originally started as a new iteration of the spring gravel classic. Now, it’s developed into a premiere gravel event all its own. The event offers riders five different distances to choose from: 30, 60, 110, 165, and 390 miles. All five start and finish in bustling downtown Northfield and traverse the surrounding area’s rolling rolling farmland and steep river valley climbs.
The Heywood event draws hundreds of gravel riders of all skill levels from all over Minnesota in mid-May each year. Not only is it a great opportunity to join your fellow riders for a “simple bicycle ride on the gravel roads surrounding Northfield” (as the organizers describe it), but it’s also a chance to discover one of the deep south metro’s most idyllic small towns.
Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail
Connecting Hopkins to Victoria, the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail offers 15 miles of crushed limestone riding. Similar to the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT trail, it’s built on a former rail bed and has a very gentle grade throughout. The trail blends natural beauty and suburban accessibility, making it perfect for after-work rides with the family.
As the name suggests, a portion of the trail runs along the shores of Lake Minnetonka before passing through Excelsior. The trail ends (or begins depending on which direction you’re riding) in beautiful Carver Park, where riders can test the waters of bikepacking thanks to the Lake Auburn campground.
Le Grand du Nord
Starting and finishing in downtown Grand Marais, Le Grand du Nord offers three route options (110 miles, 50 miles, and 26 miles) that showcase some of the best gravel riding the Superior National Forest has to offer. All three distances feature well-maintained Forest Service and county gravel roads with more technical, challenging sections thrown in the mix for good measure.
Riders quickly leave the shores of Lake Superior behind as they head into the rugged Sawtooth range. The 100-mile route features 6,000 feet of climbing through the forest’s most remote terrain. The 50-miler offers a similar remote feel and climbs 2,600 feet. The 26-mile option keeps things a little closer to Grand Marais while still providing a taste of the Sawtooth experience with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.
Luce Line State Trail
Those familiar with the Luce Line State Trail may question its inclusion here given that all the metro sections of it are paved. But the trail’s westernmost section between Plymouth and Cosmos offer 30 miles of spectacular crushed limestone riding through farmland, wetlands, and prairie.
The western section also sees fewer users than the eastern part of the trail, offering more of a true gravel solitude experience. As with both LRT trails, the Luce Line also utilizes an abandoned railroad bed so it also has a gentle grade that’s perfect for riders of all abilities.
Miesville 56
The Miesville 56 route treats riders to a ride through the heart of Dakota County’s farm country. Over the course of 56 miles of well-maintained gravel roads, riders pass through a patchwork of corn fields, soybean plots, and livestock pastures. The route stays fairly flat with only around 1,500 feet of climbing making it a perfect option for gravel riders of all experience levels.
What the route lacks in dramatic elevation changes many other routes feature, it more than makes up for in rural charm. Red barns dotting the landscape, grain silos casting long shadows, and a resupply point in the quaint community of Welch make this route feel much further than a 45-minute drive from the Twin Cities.
As with all the other routes on this list, the Miesville 56 is great most of the year but the official event takes place each April and serves as a fundraiser for 360 Communities.
Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail
The Minnesota River Bluffs Regional LRT Trail offers a more accessible gravel experience that’s perfect for riders just dipping their toe into gravel riding. The 12-mile crushed limestone trail is built on an rail bed and provides a gentle grade and well-maintained surface throughout. It runs from The Depot Coffee House in Hopkins on the eastern end to Chaska on the western end, and passes through Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Chanhassen. The trail passes by Shady Oak Lake and through Miller Park and Riley Lake Park.
Ragnarök 105
Since its first edition in April 2008, Red Wing’s Ragnarök 105 has earned a reputation as one of the midwest’s toughest gravel races, due in part to perpetually unpredictable spring weather conditions. The route changes slightly each year and isn’t announced until the day of the race when riders are given cue sheets with which to navigate.
It features relentless climbs through the Mississippi River bluffs, with grades regularly exceeding 15%. Those who conquer these climbs are immediately rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views — and thrilling descents — in Minnesota.
The Ragnarök 105 course showcases the dramatic topography of the Driftless Area, with riders repeatedly going from deep river valleys to high ridge tops throughout. While this route may not be appropriate for all skill levels, it’s well worth the challenge for more advanced riders. And if you don’t feel like taking on the entire route, it can easily be broken up into shorter, more manageable chunks.
Planning Your Adventure
Minnesota’s gravel riding season typically runs between April and November, with each season offering a distinctly different experience. Spring brings cooler temps and beautiful wildflowers, summer offers longer days and lush green vistas, and fall impresses with spectacular colors. Most routes feature well-maintained roads and trails that are suitable for any road style (road, gravel, or cyclocross) bike, though 35mm+ tires are recommended.
That said, unpaved roads do carry a higher risk for a flat tire so be sure and have a repair kit handy. Additionally, some routes get pretty far off the beaten path with limited opportunities for resupply and spotty cell service so extra water and a cycling computer are also highly recommended.
Plan the ultimate cycling trip in Minnesota.
