Pedaling Minnesota along the Mississippi River Trail (MRT)
Dreaming of warmer days ahead? Check out Have Fun Biking’s recent blog post: A Minnesota adventure tour, pedaling along the Mississippi River Trail. Whether you’re new to biking or a seasoned pedaler, the MRT bike trail has something for everyone. Writer Russ Lowthian breaks down a 9-Day trek across Minnesota–from the Mississippi Headwaters to the MN/Iowa border–for anyone interested in hopping on their bike and going for a Mississippi River ride. Day 8 and 9 outline the final leg of the trail from Frontenac State Park into Winona, and then out of Winona and across the Iowa border to Albin, IA.
MRT Day-8 from Frontenac to Winona
Frontenac State Park –> Lake City –> Wabasha –> Winona
If following Lowthian’s outline exactly, you should be waking up on day 8 to a sunrise at Frontenac State Park. The MRT uses a wide paved shoulder of the Great River Road all the way to Minnesota City. The Mississippi River will accompany you on the left for all of the ride, and when it widens into Lake Pepin, you have entered the “Birthplace of Water Skiing’ aka Lake City. Continue along the MRT until you reach Wabasha–the oldest city on the entire upper Mississippi River dating back to 1826. With 50 some buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the National Eagle Center, Wabasha is worth the stop.
Once you’ve had your fill of eagle sightings in Wabasha, the MRT will bring you along the bluffs and backroads right into Winona (~30 miles). Some places worth visiting in this rivertown include: the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, the historic downtown where self-guided walking tours are available, and of course revel at the natural landscape of Mississippi River framed by bluffs galore. Winona is also a LAB Bike Friendly Community, which means it’s a very bikeable river town with cycling resources at the ready. For even more information about biking in & around the Winona area, check out this previous blog post! Hunker down in Winona for the evening or check out what’s happening and join in on the fun!
MRT Day-9 from Winona to the Iowa Border
Winona –> La Crescent –> New Albin, IA
Day 9 begins the final leg of the bike across Minnesota adventure along the The Mississippi River Trail. The MRT takes you up into the bluffs (stunning views of the Mississippi River!), past the historic Pickwick Mill, onto the Apple Blossom Drive Scenic Byway, and straight into La Crescent. From La Crescent, it’s about a ~24 mile final trek towards the Iowa border to New Albin, IA.
Whether you ride a few miles or tackle a longer stretch, the Mississippi River Trail offers an unforgettable adventure filled with scenic overlooks, welcoming river towns, and the natural beauty of the Mississippi River valley. Happy biking!