Everyday biking in the Twin Cities.
Not about the miles. About going somewhere good — a waterfall, a bandshell, a bridge over the river — on two wheels, on a sunny morning.
Not about the miles. About going somewhere good — a waterfall, a bandshell, a bridge over the river — on two wheels, on a sunny morning.
The whole idea
Bike Twin Cities started as a friendly scavenger hunt: pick a destination worth the trip, ride there, and snap a photo of you and your bike when you arrive. The win isn't your average speed or your weekly mileage — it's that you got on the bike and went somewhere good.
This is a small, growing resource for doing exactly that around Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Where to ride, how to share the road kindly, who to ask for help, and a few places absolutely worth pedaling to.
Paths & trails
The Twin Cities is regularly ranked among the best biking metros in the country, with hundreds of miles of paved, mostly car-free trails. Here's where to start.
A sunken former rail corridor that runs across south Minneapolis like a bicycle highway — lit, plowed in winter, and free of cross-traffic. Links the Chain of Lakes on the west to the Mississippi River on the east.
Explore the route → Iconic loopA National Scenic Byway stringing together Minneapolis's lakes, the river gorge, Theodore Wirth Park and more. Ride a quiet segment or chase the whole loop — it touches every quadrant of the city.
Explore the route → Scenic & flatConnected paved paths around Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet and Cedar Lake. Beaches, the Lake Harriet bandshell, and skyline reflections. The easygoing local classic.
Explore the route → CommuterA rare grade-separated trail straight out of downtown Minneapolis heading west. Go from skyscrapers to meadows fast, continuing all the way to Hopkins and Excelsior.
Explore the route → RiversideWest River Parkway threads the only true gorge on the entire Mississippi, linking the Stone Arch Bridge to Minnehaha Falls. Bluffs, woods, and water the whole way.
Explore the route → Saint PaulSaint Paul's signature ride hugs the river bluffs from Highland Park up toward downtown — a favorite for sunset cruises. The Sam Morgan Regional Trail carries it along the riverfront.
Explore the route → Escape the cityA smooth paved rail-trail that starts near downtown Saint Paul and runs northeast into rolling countryside and Pine Point Park. The easiest way to ride out of town without a car.
Explore the route → Go furtherWhen you're ready for a day trip: the Luce Line and Dakota Rail trails head west, the Bruce Vento Trail connects through the east metro, and the Mississippi River Trail will carry you for hundreds of miles in either direction.
Explore the route →Destinations
The heart of Bike Twin Cities: not a workout, a reason. Here are landmarks that make a great turn-around point — and a great photo when you get there.
A car-free former railroad bridge curving over St. Anthony Falls, with the downtown skyline behind you and the only waterfall on the Mississippi below. The definitive Twin Cities bike photo.
A 53-foot waterfall tucked into a regional park, reachable entirely by river trail. Refuel at the park concessions and ride the gorge home.
Free summer concerts right on the water, with a rose garden a short ride away. Lock up, grab a bench, and stay for a set.
Home of the Spoonbridge and Cherry — an easy, photogenic destination just off the downtown trails and the Loring/Cedar Lake connections.
Saint Paul's free conservatory and zoo, ringed by lakeside paths. A perfect cross-river destination with plenty to do once you arrive.
The largest park in Minneapolis — a quaking bog, wildflowers, and trails just minutes from downtown via the Grand Rounds and Cedar Lake connections.
Share the road, share the trail
Good biking is predictable and kind. Here's the short version of what's law in Minnesota and what keeps everyone happy out there.
Where to go next
The official maps, laws, advocacy groups, and rental options. We keep this short and link out to the people who maintain the source of truth.
The original idea, reborn
A scavenger hunt for everyday riders. The goal isn't distance — it's getting out to somewhere worth going, and sharing the moment you arrive.