Flying on the Willard Munger Bike Trail (Duluth-Carlton-Duluth, 28 miles)

Note: Half of this reviewed segment--namely before Jay Cooke through to Thomson, MN--will be closed for repairs from June 19 to July 7. Local trail users suggest starting from Thomson for longer rides.

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What to Expect:

• A pleasant trail ride that becomes an enchanting ride when the trail crosses Jay Cooke State Park. Look out for deer and various critters underfoot and underwheel. Click on the trail picture on the right and see if you can spot the deer.


• Paved trail with some bumpy and damaged segments just out of Duluth and into Carlton


• Bumps, dips and cracks marked with bright yellow or fuschia paint



• Branches out to unpaved trails and some hiking trails approaching Jay Cooke State Park



• And, er, watch out for scantily clad park visitors splashing about in the St. Louis River. You'll know when you see other visitors crowding a bridge and looking at them with binoculars.


• Bring your own beefsticks. After Duluth, the nearest town that has a gas station (!) is Carlton.
This is also the next place you can refill your waterbottles. I saw a sign for Buffalo Restaurant on mile 4. But after following a gravel path for half a mile, I could not find the restaurant. I only found a sofball diamond. Will update this after making some calls.


• Roadies, careful while riding through wooden bridges. Some sections are rotted and have nails sticking out. Slow down as you approach bridges.

More on the Munger Trail and some more pictures later.