History of the Trail Trail Overview User Guidelines Trail Ordinance Images of the Trail

Trail Overview The longest continuous paved stretch currently offered is from Grand Rapids to McKinley (approximately 75 miles). The westernmost completed segment connects the communities of Grand Rapids, Coleraine, Bovey, and Taconite. The terrain varies from hilly in the west to a bit flatter in the east. A few hills will test your stamina going up and your brakes on the way down. This area is predominately forested and is dotted with overlooks and lakes. The Prairie River bridge is always a nice rest stop on this end of the trail. There is a nice picnic and swimming beach found at the O'Brien Reservoir between Nashwauk and Keewatin. West of Hibbing the trail winds to the top of Mt. Rust overlooking the continental divide. There is a mixture of forest and field, beaver ponds and overlooks. The Pike River Rock Cut, west of Gilbert, is one of the most photographed places along the trail. The trail was extended to McKinley in 2003, leaving a 3.5-mile gap to Biwabik. From Biwabik to Giants Ridge and Aurora is newly paved, along with two additional three-mile segments in the same area. The first is between Tower and Soudan, and the second is our easternmost portion winding through Ely to the International wolf Center. This eastern part of the trail has hilly to rolling terrain, mixing forest and open space with several lakes and stopping points along the way. Highlights include crossing the continental divide near Biwabik, passing through the deep forest of the north woods and enjoying the solitude of several hours alone with nature. The communities of Tower and Soudan offer entry points to Lake Vermilion. Once the trail is extended to Ely, visitors will have access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

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The Mesabi Trail^SM is located in beautiful Northern Minnesota, USA.