Frank’s Gravel Routes: Part 1

Welcome to Frank’s Gravel Routes: Part 1, a selection of our RTR Amabssador Frank Roark’s favorite gravel rides in northern Minnesota. All mapped with Ride with GPS, these routes are complete with tips on parking, places to get treats, and great trail descriptions. As Frank says, Enjoy! 

Echo Trail Gravel

This route starts at Fenske Lake Campground north of Ely, MN off the Echo Trail. Fenske Lake Campground has water available and a large public parking lot near the picnic area and beach. This is great spot to start and finish the ride as you can jump in the lake if it’s hot and have a good safe place to park your vehicle.

You can drive into Ely after your ride for numerous places to eat and drink. I like Insula restaurant, Britton’s café and the occasional DQ treat. You can also meander around the numerous tourist shops and great art venues that Ely offers.

This route heads north onto the famous Echo Trail. It starts as pavement but quickly turns into gravel that has rolling hills and winds along lakes that are in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or close to the BWCA. There are many dead roads off the Echo trail that could make this route longer or that you could explore. Many offer portage to a boundary waters lake. The road is in good condition and can be heavily traveled at times, but people are usually moving slow as they are on vacation. T

he route goes near a lot of rock outcroppings and cliff areas and makes for some great scenery. It rolls into some low areas, and you may have the chance to see a moose or other wildlife. You are on a bicycle, so you definitely have the chance to get closer to wildlife than usual.

This is a lollipop loop so you will coming back the way you went out. Be prepared for some good climbs as you will climb two thousand feet in forty miles. This route can be made longer by starting in Ely but then you will have to pedal 20 miles of pavement, and it is busier. I prefer to start it at Fenske Lake. Enjoy

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53762305

Giants Ridge Gravel

This route starts at Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort. There is ample parking near the main chalet. The main chalet is usually open, and The Burnt Onion Kitchen and Brews or Neighbors Barbecue is a great option for food and drink if you are doing an evening ride and want refreshments after. There are restrooms in both locations. Neighbor’s Barbecue is in the Lodge at Giant’s Ridge.

This route heads north on Giant’s Ridge Road. The road is wide and the gravel is in great condition. This is a rolling route with good climbs and some super-fast and fun downhill sweeping roads. You will take the Tower Biwabik Road at the Y and head to Hwy 21. You will now be in some flat areas of Embarrass but don’t be fooled that it will be an easy ride as it’s rolling terrain through some older homesteads.

This is a lollipop route, and the last few miles will be the same as the starting few. You will now have to climb those downhills that you
enjoyed on the way out. This is a 20 miler but can be extended by starting near Biwabik and taking the Mesabi Trail to Giant’s Ridge.

You can also go out and back on Sandstrom Road in the middle of the route making the route longer that way. This road will dead end at the Pike River.It is not heavily traveled and has good Scenery. This is a fun and challenging ride that starts and ends at a great spot for refreshments and gathering. Enjoy

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53688983