The best gravel rides around St. Paul

Gravel biking around St. Paul offers a diverse mix of surfaces. You'll find hard-packed gravel paths, as well as routes that combine paved and unpaved sections. The landscape includes varied elevation changes, from rolling hills to river bluffs, especially as you venture outside the immediate urban core. This blend provides both urban convenience and natural beauty.

Yes, St. Paul offers several easy gravel routes perfect for beginners or those looking for a more relaxed ride. An excellent option is the View of the Minnesota River – Old Cedar Avenue Bridge loop from 16 Av S, which is about 10.1 miles long and leads through scenic riverine landscapes. Another easy choice is the View of the Minnesota River – Old Cedar Avenue Bridge loop from Bloomington Central, covering about 15 miles.

St. Paul's gravel trails often feature prominent natural landmarks. Many routes follow the Mississippi River Corridor, offering stunning river views. You can also encounter beautiful lakes like Lake Phalen and Como Lake. Notable waterfalls such as Minnehaha Falls and Hidden Falls Creek are also accessible or visible from some routes, providing picturesque stops.

Many of the gravel bike routes around St. Paul are designed as loops, offering convenient starting and ending points. For instance, the popular Cedar Lake South Beach – Minnesota River Bluffs Trail loop from West 21st Street is a moderate 48.6-mile loop. Another great option is the Minnehaha Falls – Fort Snelling loop from Fairview Avenue, a 40.8-mile moderate path with scenic river views.

The gravel biking experience in St. Paul is highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 5 reviews. More than 60 gravel bikers have explored the area using komoot, often praising the diverse terrain, scenic river views, and the blend of wooded paths and open meadows that make for an engaging ride.

There are over a dozen gravel bike trails available around St. Paul, catering to various skill levels. This includes 3 easy routes, 8 moderate routes, and 2 more challenging options, ensuring there's something for every gravel biker.

Yes, for those seeking longer and more challenging rides, St. Paul offers several moderate to difficult routes. The Cedar Lake South Beach – Minnesota River Bluffs Trail loop from West 21st Street is a moderate 48.6-mile trail with varied terrain. Another substantial option is the Gateway State Trail – Gateway State Trail loop from Pine Springs, a moderate 40.5-mile route that connects with other scenic trails.

Yes, the Gateway State Trail is a significant multi-use trail that can be incorporated into gravel biking adventures. While primarily paved, it serves as an excellent starting point for exploring gravel routes in the surrounding areas and connects with the Brown's Creek State Trail, offering scenic routes towards Stillwater and the St. Croix River. The Gateway State Trail – Gateway State Trail loop from Pine Springs is a moderate 40.5-mile loop that utilizes this connection.

St. Paul offers great gravel biking opportunities across multiple seasons. Spring and fall provide pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery, with changing foliage in autumn. Summer is also popular, though riders should be prepared for warmer weather. While some trails may be accessible in winter, conditions can vary significantly due to snow and ice, so checking local trail reports is advisable.

Absolutely. St. Paul's extensive natural areas, including the Mississippi River Corridor and various parks like Crosby Farm Regional Park, are excellent for birdwatching. Routes around Minnehaha Falls, Fort Snelling, and the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge, for example, offer scenic views of the Minnesota River and provide opportunities to spot diverse bird species in their natural habitats.

St. Paul boasts a nationally ranked park system with over 170 parks and recreation areas. For detailed information about the city's parks, recreation centers, and natural areas, you can visit the official St. Paul Parks and Recreation website: stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation.