A new 17-mile stretch of purpose-built mountain bike trail will open next spring that connects a cluster of trails at Britton Peak in Tofte to Lutsen. The new connection creates 35 total miles of wilderness trails that include 24 miles in Tofte/Lutsen and 11 in Grand Marais.
“The North Shore is wide-known for outdoor adventure, and we are seeing a lot more mountain bikes on cars traveling up here,” said Paul Nordlund, Superior Cycling Association vice president and project manager. “This new trail gives our local businesses one more offering for their guests.”
Nordlund believes this project, along with several others throughout the region, is helping to poise northeastern Minnesota to become a national mountain biking destination. Mountain bike trail systems in the region that are either developed or on the horizon include Redhead in Chisholm, Tioga in Cohasset, Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Cuyuna Lakes Recreation Area in Crosby, Hidden Valley in Ely, and Split Rock Wilds in Lake County.
The bicycling industry in the State of Minnesota supported an estimated $777.9 million of economic activity in 2014, including 5,519 employees and $208.8 million in wages, salaries, and benefits. The manufacturers and wholesalers connected to the industry generated $616.6 million in economic activity. (Source: “Economic Contribution of Bicycling Industry in Minnesota” report by Minnesota Department of Transportation and University of Minnesota.)
According to Nordlund, mountain biking is transforming the North Shore community and economic landscape. The area’s expanding trail system in the Lake Superior Highlands has a uniqueness not found in other parts of the nation. He said that uniqueness is drawing riders from Thunder Bay, Duluth and the Twin Cities.
“Mountain bikers here see scenic vistas overlooking the Superior National Forest. They traverse through rugged terrain, river valleys, old-growth forests and dramatic changes in elevation,” said Nordlund. “And they seldom have to cross a road which makes our trail system highly sought after and a rarity in the United States.”
Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided a Regional Trails grant which helped pay for the trail construction, rehabilitation of existing adjacent trails, trailhead enhancement, and signage. Other project partners included Federal Trails Recreational Program, Greater Minnesota Regional Parks & Trails Commission, Cook County Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, Visit Cook County, Lutsen Tofte Tourism Association, Lutsen 99er mountain bike race, Cook County, and the United States Forest Service.
“Without the grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, the trail would dead-end, and riders would have to return to their starting point at Britton Peak,” said Nordlund. “Now mountain bikers can travel through from Lutsen to Tofte or Tofte to Lutsen. We’ve created a much more desirable riding experience that will attract more users.”
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