Hiker's Guide for the Mesabi Iron Range

Hiker’s Guide

Laurentian Divide AURORA | BIWABIK | BUHL | CHISHOLM | EMBARRASS | EVELETH | GILBERT | HIBBING | HOYT LAKES | MOUNTAIN IRON | VIRGINIA

Big Aspen TOWN

Virginia

DISTANCE

21 miles

SURFACE

Dirt

NOTABLE

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What to expect Year round trail system in the Superior National Forest, just north of Virginia featuring scenic views of the Rice River valley, and a diversity of flora and fauna. Hike at the peak of fall foliage, or wait until the leaves are down for some off-trail exploring and new views of landscape and wildlife. These trails are open to hunting for part of the year so stay informed about Minnesota hunting seasons, and wear orange on the trails at these times.

Superior National Forest - Big Aspen

GETTING HERE FROM VIRGINIA Take Highway 53 north for 8 miles to County Road 131.

Turn right on County Road 131 for 1 mile.

Turn left on County Road 68 for 0.3 miles.

Go straight on Pelton Road, County Road 405, for 2 miles.

(405 becomes UT 8116 )

No ATVs on this loop

MORE INFORMATION fs.usda.gov/superior

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Description

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Discover the Range

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This trail system travels through a large pine and hardwood forest with areas in the process of regrowth. It uses both old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades from the old Virginia and Rainy Lake IronRange.org Lumber Company. Several scenic vistas make this trail especially popular. The

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Tips for ATV Riders 

Responsible riders are safe riders. Be sure to wear appropriate protective gear and maintain your machine. Don't take

TOWN

Hoyt Lakes

DISTANCE

12 miles

Bird Lake Trail SURFACE

Dirt

NOTABLE

Scenic and serene

What to expect Twelve miles of trail following the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway from Hoyt Lakes to Bird Lake. Hike through black spruce bogs, and aspen and birch stands. Canoe access to Bird Lake is available and a picnic spot overlooks the lake in the Superior National Forest.

BIRD LAKE TRAIL ACCESS Take County Highway 110 to the parking lot at the east edge of Hoyt Lakes.

Ski or hike to Bird Lake—about 5 miles.

Aurora Hoyt Lakes

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PICNIC AREA AND TRAIL ACCESS Take County Highway 110 to the parking lot at the Bird Lake Recreation Area, 4 miles southeast of Hoyt Lakes MORE INFORMATION fs.usda.gov/superior

TOWN

Aurora

DISTANCE

3 miles

St. James Trail SURFACE

Paved

NOTABLE

Great views

What to expect

Circle the former St. James mine pit (now filled with water) on this trail that offers great views with every step of the way. Park at the trail head for the Mesabi Trail at Third Avenue North. Groomed for winter skiing.

GETTING HERE From Hwy 100 (W 3rd Ave N) the trail kiosk is located at the junction of Hill Street. Parking at Pine Grove Park to the south. Enter Aurora from Hwy 135.

AURORA | BIWABIK | BUHL | CHISHOLM | EMBARRASS | EVELETH | GILBERT | HIBBING | HOYT LAKES | MOUNTAIN IRON | VIRGINIA

Bridge walk

TOWN

Virginia

MILES

2.1 miles

SURFACE

Paved

NOTABLE

Big views!

What to expect Unwind with nature and the Mesabi Trail on your way to one of the best (and newest) views the Iron Range has to offer. The Highway 53 Bridge was built after iron mining interests required the highway to be moved.

The 1,100-foot-long, 200-foot-high, multi-modal bridge was part of a $240 million project completed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation in 2018.

According to City Code, pets must be leashed at all times within city limits, and owners must pick up pet waste and have dog bags on hand.

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GETTING HERE FROM THE SOUTH ON HWY 53 Take Second Ave West to Chestnut Go right on Chestnut to parking area

3RD NORTH

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GETTING HERE FROM THE NORTH ON HWY 169 Take the 9th Street North entrance into Virginia and follow to Chestnut Street Go left on Chestnut to parking area.

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POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Kavela Hall 2. Oldtown-Finntown Overlook 3. East Chestnut Street 4. Hwy 53 Bridge

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Take a 45-minute hike to and from the

HWY 53 BRIDGE

MILES

Hibbing

NOTABLE

SURFACE

Trail loops from 2-4 miles

Grass

Within city limits

What to expect

LEGEND Trail

Trail Head 22 1 1 1 1

TrailBlack Direction Forest

Southern Trail Lights Combination Highland Lakeview Carey Creek Skate-Only Trail

Classical-Only Trail Trail Head / Parking

P1

Trail Intersections

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Mi. 2.42 1.88 1.90 4.06 2.80

Family-friendly recreation area with picnic sites, a swimming beach and a fishing pier. Trail loops are two to four miles long through woods near the lake (please remember to pick up after your dog). Pines and birch make for colorful fall views. Map shows winter-use trails, use Highland and Lakeview in the summer and fall. Please obey signs designating trails for winter use. Inside Hibbing city limits.

Km. 3.89 3.03 3.06 6.53 4.51

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Easiest

LEGEND

More Difficult Most Difficult BLACK FOREST (LIGHTED)

P1

22

Dupont Road

Km. 3.89 3.03 3.06 6.53 4.51

GETTING HERE FROM NORTH OR SOUTH Turn east at the intersection of Hwy 169 and 25th Street in Hibbing and follow approximately 2.5 miles to Carey Lake Recreation Area

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LAKEVIEW

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

N Dublin Road

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TOWN

Carey Lake

Trail Direction

CAREY LAKE

Combination Trail

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Classical-Only Trail

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2 SOUTHERN LIGHTS

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P2 1

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14 15

Trail Head / Parking

CAREY CREEK Trail

HIGHLAND

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Skate-Only Trail

12 13

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Intersections

P1

P2

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TRAIL DIFFICULTY Easiest More Difficult Most Difficult

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AURORA | BIWABIK | BUHL | CHISHOLM | EMBARRASS | EVELETH | GILBERT | HIBBING | HOYT LAKES | MOUNTAIN IRON | VIRGINIA

Giants Ridge

TOWN

Biwabik

MILES

10 miles

Hikintr SURFACE

Grass, paved

NOTABLE

On-site dining

What to expect Ten miles of trails at Giants Ridge in Biwabik afford excellent views of the Superior National Forest with plenty of lakes to dot the landscape. Hike through forests to the top of the ski hill, and explore the terrain near Wynne Creek.

Nice fall colors on three loop trails, all between three and four miles long.

The Giants Ridge disc golf course covers over 80 acres and up to 10,000 feet (champion position) of fairway distance. Average playtime for 18 holes is 2.5 hours.

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GETTING HERE FROM THE SOUTH Take Hwy 53 N to Hwy 37 East through Gilbert and turn east on Hwy 135.

Just on the edge of Biwabik, you’ll see the Giants Ridge sign to turn left MORE INFORMATION AND WINTER MTB AND CROSS COUNTRY BIKE TRAILS giantsridge.com

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Discover the Range

IronRange.org

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Kiosk

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North Face Sleeping Giant Mesabi Trail June 2007

AURORA | BIWABIK | BUHL | CHISHOLM | EMBARRASS | EVELETH | GILBERT | HIBBING | HOYT LAKES | MOUNTAIN IRON | VIRGINIA

Laurentian Divide TOWN

Virginia

MILES

SURFACE

15 miles

NOTABLE

Dirt

Geological Marker

What to expect Hike up Lookout Mountain for an amazing view of the Superior National Forest and this north-south watershed. This 15-mile trail system features 1-4 hour hikes, or shorter walks. Tap this trail for great fall foliage views. This trail system is open for hunting part of the year. The trailhead is just four miles north of Virginia on Hwy 53 GETTING HERE FROM VIRGINIA Take Highway 53/169 North for 4 miles.

The Trailhead is located at the Laurentian Divide Recreation Area on the northbound lane

Superior National Forest - Lookout Mountain

MORE INFORMATION fs.usda.gov/superior Laurentian Snowmobile Trail 3 2

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Trail junctions 12 through 17 are meant for back country.

This ski trail is not groomed.

Junction 3 to 8 to 17 is meant for skiing only. It is not intended for hiking as it is very wet.

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Parking Intersection Points Skiing/Hiking Trail Snowmobile Trail Fitness Trail A - H Road Powerline Easiest More Difficult Most Difficult

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Contour lines are drawn at 20’ intervals

Discover the Range The IronRange.org trail from Junctions 12 through 17 is meant for back country.

This ski trail is not groomed.

TOWN

Hibbing

MILES

Approx. 2 miles

Maple Hill

SURFACE

Grass, Dirt

NOTABLE

Fall Favorite

What to expect This small city park is full of ups and downs, with a pond sheltered beneath the trees, and a peak that features a scenic view for miles. True to its name, this trail system is thick with maples, making it a great fall destination.

GETTING HERE FROM THE NORTH Take Hwy 73 South from Hibbing and turn east on Maple Hill Road.

Lindquist Road (49th Street)

GETTING HERE FROM THE SOUTH Use Hwy 73 heading north to Maple Hill Road, turn east.

Erickson Road

Mesabi Trail

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Explore all 130 miles of the paved Mesabi Trail by bicycle, on foot, or by horse! This trail connects all of our Iron Range communities (and then some) and provides great views and activities along the way. Park at trail heads (found in every community) and walk as far as you like. See map on back cover.

Maple Hill Park

LOCATIONS OF NOTE Hibbing: North Hibbing history and mine views Chisholm: Lakewalk, Bruce Mine Headframe and Redhead Mountain Bike Park Mountain Iron: Locomotive Park Virginia: Olcott Park Aurora: Lake St James trail.

FOR MAPS AND TO LEARN MORE mesabitrail.com

AURORA | BIWABIK | BUHL | CHISHOLM | EMBARRASS | EVELETH | GILBERT | HIBBING | HOYT LAKES | MOUNTAIN IRON | VIRGINIA

Redhead MTB Park FROM VIRGINIA

FROM HIBBING

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£ ¤ 169

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MINNESOTA DISCOVERY CENTER

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TOWN

Chisholm

MILES

25 miles

SURFACE

Iron Ore

NOTABLE

Travel through mining history

What to expect

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Restrooms

Food and Drink

Trailhead

Easy Trail Intermediate Trail Expert Trail Interim ATV Route

Spend hours hiking this reclaimed mineland, or consider a shorter 15-30 minute walk on the Spell Bound Loop: beginning on the lower leg, walk to a clearing with 180-degree views. Return on the upper leg against bike traffic. Please check the website for winter and summer trail use updates, including spring and fall restrictions. Trailhead hours are dawn to dusk 7-days a week excluding rain and weather related closures. Free and open to the public.

GETTING HERE Redhead MTB is located in Chisholm, MN, next to Minnesota Discovery Center, 1005 Discovery Drive, just off of Hwy 169. At the entrance, follow signs to the designated gravel parking lot or use paved for overflow.

GETTING HERE FROM THE SOUTH AND EAST Take Hwy 53 to Hwy 37 East to Hibbing and head North on Hwy 169 MORE INFORMATION mndiscoverycenter.com | MDC Trailhead: 218-254-7959 BIKE, KAYAK, AND CANOE RENTALS Available during open hours inside Minnesota Discovery Center

Emergency Access Route

e app Trailforks for trail status (open/closed) do not ride on closed trails.

AURORA | BIWABIK | BUHL | CHISHOLM | EMBARRASS | EVELETH | GILBERT | HIBBING | HOYT LAKES | MOUNTAIN IRON | VIRGINIA

Embarrass

Big Aspen Community

Giants Ridge

Mesabi Trail

Laurentian Divide

Trail head

St. James Trail

Mountain Iron Chisholm

Buhl

Bridgewalk

Virginia

Biwabik

Aurora

Bird Lake

Hoyt Lakes

Gilbert

Redhead Hibbing

Maple Hill

Carey Lake

Eveleth

Enjoy Iron Range trails and views

Many of our trails offer exceptional views of our Northwoods fall foliage. Take advantage of the time between fall and winter to hike, when trails offer new views, leaves are down, and wildlife may be active. (Stay informed about Minnesota hunting seasons, and wear orange during this time, as you may be sharing the trails with bird hunters.)

The beauty of hiking on the Iron Range is that it can be done all year long.

Different seasons bring different benefits to Iron Range hiking. See the blaze of fall leaves; smell the forest as it wakes up in spring. Enjoy the clear white beauty of a crisp winter hike on an Iron Range trail. Spend quality time with your family, friends, or by yourself with one of the simplest and most rewarding outdoor activities possible — hiking the Iron Range.

Make sure to visit ironrange.org to for more information on lodging, dining, attractions, shopping and events.

111 Station 44 Road, Eveleth, MN 55734 218 749 8161 ironrange.org

AURORA | BIWABIK | BUHL | CHISHOLM | EMBARRASS | EVELETH | GILBERT | HIBBING | HOYT LAKES | MOUNTAIN IRON | VIRGINIA