With the final section from Embarrass to Tower approaching completion, the Mesabi Trail is set to potentially take over as the longest paved trail in the nation — and with even more spur segments in the works.
The trail’s passage into Tower is under construction along Highway 135 north of Wahlsten Road. The paved path currently comes to a halt at West Two River about two miles south of Tower.
The final segment is set for completion later this fall.
“It won’t quite be 100% done when we do our grand opening, but it will be complete enough that the whole thing can be ridden or walked. We’ll have the ‘window dressing’ part of the work to complete next spring,” wrote Sarah Ciochetto in an emailed statement.
Ciochetto is the deputy director for the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority, which owns and manages the Mesabi Trail.
“It’s fun. Every segment is interesting and unique in its own way,” Ciochetto said. “Knowing this is the final piece is pretty exciting.”
The final segment will bring the Mississippi (Grand Rapids to Nashwauk), Mesabi ( Nashwauk to Gilbert) and Laurentian (Biwabik to Tower) segments into full connection with the Vermilion stretch (Tower to Ely).
Once complete, the trail corridor will wind 165 miles through the Northwoods.
“I don’t know the specifications, but all the research I’ve done suggests that we are the longest paved trail in the country,” Ciochetto said. “I’ve found others that are significantly longer, but they’re not paved.”
The Mesabi’s corridor is around 99% paved, besting many other, longer trails that might include extensive sections with limestone or another solid, but non-asphalt, surface.
“I hesitantly say ‘one of the longest’ just to cover my bases,” Ciochetto said.
Once its 165 miles of pavement makes the final connection, at the very least the Mesabi will rival the 115-mile-long Paul Bunyan State Trail for the title of Minnesota’s longest paved bike trail.
The Wahlsten-to-Tower segment was initially supposed to be completed as one project in 2023, wrote Ciochetto. Ultimately, costs ran up and the Railroad Authority split the segment into the two sections it now represents, with the first of the two completed early this spring.
The deadline postponements after 2023 came due to permitting delays, creating what Ciochetto called a snowball effect.
Permitting from MNDOT, environmental agencies and others poses a challenge to trail construction, Ciochetto said. The process can take a long time and additional logistical hoops might surface along the way.
The trail’s route through townships with a patchwork quilt of privately-owned land can drag up additional challenges for trail authorities as they seek agreements and easements to pass through properties.
“We always want the best option that we can create, so if somebody says absolutely not, you can’t go across my land, I won’t give an easement, then we have to move to the next option we have and figure out how to route around it,” Ciochetto said.
When plotting a route between two communities, trail authorities first visit the area to scout out three possibilities: a good route, a better option and then the best-case track.
“Ideally, we like to get our trail out in the woods where you don’t feel like you’re in any sort of civilization,” Ciochetto said.
Ciochetto said the route along Highway 135 was not the most ideal option for the area. Challenges with landowner permissions required the trail’s construction within MnDOT’s right-of-way.
The landscape itself resisted trail construction efforts, with occasional steep and rocky sections interspersed with low, boggy areas. The Mesabi cannot climb or descend a grade greater than 8% for ADA accessibility reasons.
“That determines how much work we have to do to make the trail the right grades,” Ciochetto said. “So, a lot of challenges up there, but not insurmountable.”
Several new spur developments are on the drawing board as potential additions to the soon-to-be-completed 165-mile trail.
“The intention now is to bring in communities outlying from the trail into the trail corridor,” Ciochetto said.
Tree clearing is underway from Aurora to Hoyt Lakes, with segment completion projected for later this year or in 2027, according to an update on the Mesabi Trail’s website from earlier this year.
New trail communities may include Babbitt, Side Lake and Cook. Plans for a Lake Vermilion trail segment from Tower to Fortune Bay and potentially Cook are already in the works.
Infrared trail counters at 20 points along the trail counted about 300,000 users on the Mesabi last year. Ciochetto anticipates those numbers will rise significantly following the trail’s completion.
“I’d estimate half a million in the next couple years,” Ciochetto said.
The Railroad Authority aims to maintain the trail through grants. The organization also deposits funds annually into an ongoing maintenance account for any emergency needs that may arise and require immediate repair.
The Mesabi maintenance team currently features a seasonal crew, with one team member working throughout all seasons.
“They’re out there every day, cutting trees, brushing, watching for any sort of washouts or problems along the trail,” Ciochetto said. “We’re really on top of it every day.”
Mesabi Trail authorities might hire a contractor for larger projects, such as section reconstruction that requires the old trail to be removed and new asphalt to be installed. Ciochetto says the Railroad Authority maintains good relationships with regional contractors.
The trail’s 2026 completion marks the 30th anniversary from its beginnings in 1996, with some of the earliest segments breaking ground near Grand Rapids and Ely. Trail authorities plan to commemorate the anniversary with a special 30th logo.
Unofficial plans are in the works for a September 5 grand opening in Tower, with the Depot Park already reserved. Ciochetto anticipates a speaker lineup with remarks from people who have driven the trail’s implementation from the very beginning.
Interested individuals may visit the “Trail Conditions” page on the Mesabi Trail website for ongoing construction updates.
Mesabi Trail intersection with Benson Road in Kugler Township. Photo by Harmony Fisher.
