Bicycling Magazine named Minneapolis the most bike-friendly city in the United State. There are over 100 miles of bike lanes and trails, creating many opportunities to explore the city on two wheels. Even in the winter months, many trails and pathways are cleared for travel and recreation. Grab a helmet and maybe a friend or two, and check out these bike trails near Minneapolis.
From dining to the arts, there are countless more things to do in Minneapolis! Access our free Minneapolis Travel Guide for a thoughtful list of all the best attractions in the area.
Check Out These Bike Trails Near Minneapolis
Explore the City and Surrounding Areas on Bike
1. Chain of Lakes Regional Park
This park’s trails connect the shorelines of Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake Harriet with an over 15-mile route. There’s a reason Minneapolis is known as the City of Lakes, and the Chain of Lakes Regional Park makes it easy to enjoy the beautiful views over the waters.
2. Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway
The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway connects several trails, including the Chain of Lakes Trail, and travels around the entire city to show off its most scenic spots. Because the city offers so much beauty, the path is more than 50 miles long! You can check out the map to decide which areas you’d like to cruise through.
3. Minneapolis River Parkways 
If you want to ride by the river while taking in downtown and getting a view of the University of Minnesota, the Minneapolis River Parkways make up the perfect route. It’s a combination of the East River Parkway and the West River Parkway connecting at the Northern Pacific Bridge Number 9 and Lake Street-Marshall Bridge. This will give you over six miles along both sides of the river. Plus, you can easily extend it even further if you’d like.
4. Medicine Lake Regional Trail
A part of the Three Rivers Park District, the Medicine Lake Regional Trail connects the Elm Creek Park Reserve, Fish Lake, and French Regional Parks. It also offers views of Rice Lake and Medicine Lake. The paved path is nearly 23 miles and starts west of Minneapolis in Plymouth and travels north, ending in Maple Grove.
Mountain Biking Near Minneapolis
5. Back 40 Loop
Mountain biking isn’t lost in the Twin Cities! The Back 40 Loop starts off the Luce Line Trail in Theodore Wirth Regional Park. The intermediate single-track loop is a little less than three miles long.
6. Brownie Lake Loop
Strictly for expert riders, the Brownie Lake Loop follows a steep and rocky trail for about one and a half miles. The exhilarating ride starts in Brownie Lake Park not far from the Theodore Wirth Parkway bridge over Interstate 394.
Bike Rentals Near Minneapolis
Conveniently scattered around the city you’ll find Nice Ride Minnesota’s bike share service. Using an app, you can easily find a bike and rent it for a single ride or the entire day.
If you’re looking for something more specific like a mountain bike, you can rent all the gear you’ll need from Tangletown Bike Shop or Wheel Fun Rentals.
Stay with Minnestay 
After a long day of biking, come “home” to one of our high-end rentals. From waterfront properties to luxury condos in the center of all the action, we have a vacation rental for every need. We also have large homes that can sleep up to 12 people. Whichever property you choose, you can always expect premium customer service and state-of-art amenities from Minnestay.
Browse our rentals and start planning your Twin Cities getaway today!
