Paul Bunyan Cyclists Route Maps

The Brainerd Lakes area offers exceptional bicycling opportunities. These route maps are some of the Paul Bunyan Cyclists’ favorite and most scenic rides. Print out a map, pump up the tires, and pedal around our beautiful lakes!

Several of these routes incorporate portions of the paved Paul Bunyan State Trail. We try to use either low traffic volume roads or roads with paved shoulders when the routes are not on the trail. There are occasional stretches of higher traffic volume roads with narrow or no shoulders on some of the routes. Ride safely, observe traffic regulations, and stick to roads that are suited to your cycling skills.

The list below provides a brief description of each route. The route maps are available in three formats. The ‘PDF’ link opens the map using the free Adobe Reader™ software that must be installed on your computer and allows you to print the map to take along on your ride. The Google Maps™ link opens the route map in your browser and allows you to pan, zoom, and print the map – and to search for businesses and services along the route. If you have the free Google Earth™ software installed on your computer, that link allows you to do a virtual ride along the route.

If you find errors in the maps or have suggestions for route improvements or new routes please email us at maps@paulbunyancyclists.com

Route Name

Description

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Camp Jim

26-mile bike ride starting at Paul Bunyan Trail / Northland Arboretum in Baxter. Includes an out-n-back segment to Camp Jim on Hardy Lake.

East Brainerd

A 39-mile bike ride starting at Paul Bunyan Trail / Northland Arboretum in Baxter. Goes near Upper South Long Lake and Nokay Lake east of Brainer

Executive Acres & Legionville

Out and back bike rides starting at the Paul Bunyan Trail / Northland Arboretum in Baxter. Executive Acres is 19.4 miles round trip. Legionville is 17.5 miles round trip.

Jack’s House

15 or 32-mile bike rides starting at Jack's House restaurant in Brainerd. The long ride goes around South Long Lake.

Jake's City Grille

A 34 - mile ride that includes a scenic spin though the Pillsbury State Forest and Fritz Loven Park. Start at Jake's City Grille on the west side of Gull Lake.

Lakes Marathon

Bike ride following the route of the Brainerd Jaycees Run for the Lakes Marathon. Start on the Paul Bunyan State Trail at Nisswa.

Merrifield & Gull Dam

Bike rides starting at the Paul Bunyan Trail / Northland Arboretum in Baxter. The 31-mile Merrifield route starts and ends on the Paul Bunyan Trail with an on-road loop near Lake Hubert. There is a shortcut by Gladstone Lake. The 34-mile Gull Dam route goes through the Gull Dam Recreation Area at the outlet of Gull Lake.

Breezy Pt., Crosslake, Mission

41-mile ride along Pelican Lake and Cross Lake. Start at the gate to Breezy Point at the junction of County Highways 4 and 11. Places to fuel-up, refresh, or unwind include the Commander and Moonlite Bay restaurants.

Nisswa Loops

Four separate loop rides ranging from 12 to 42 miles in length. All loops start at the junction of the Paul Bunyan State Trail and Main Street in Nisswa. Each loop is shown on a separate Google Map

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Pine Center North

Ride the short loop (19 miles) to Lake Mille Lacs or ride both loops for a total of 39 miles and relax on Leisure Lane along Upper South Long Lake. Start at JR's Junction restaurant in Pine Center.

Pine Center South

Bike ride starting at JR's Junction restaurant in Pine Center, MN. The long loop going to Harding is 36 miles. The short loop around Platte Lake is 16 miles.

Timberjack – Hay Lakes

20 mile bike ride starting at the Timberjack Restaurant at the intersection of MN 371 & County Rd 107, south of Pequot Lakes. Optional hills route adds about 4 miles.

West Baxter & Sylvan

Bike rides starting from the Paul Bunyan Trail / Northland Arboretum in Baxter. The West Baxter route is 23 miles and the Sylvan Route is 32 miles.

Whipple Beach

18-mile bike ride starting at Paul Bunyan Trail / Northland Arboretum in Baxter. Stop at Whipple Beach for a swim.

Zig’s Loops

3 loop rides ranging from 19 to 33 miles. All start and end at Zig's Restaurant at Rutger's Resort in Bay Lake.

Three Portages

A 16 to 40 mile bike ride starting at the Paul Bunyan Trail / Northland Arboretum in Baxter. Ride 1 or all 3 loops. The 'portages' are unpaved crossings of the Highway 371 right-of-way near the Mississippi River and Barrows and a short segment of unpaved road on Greenwood Street.

Map

Earth

Ernie's

36-mile bike ride starting at Ernie's on Gull and going along the south and west shores of Gull Lake.

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Map

Earth

Green Gables

35-mile bike ride starting at the Paul Bunyan Trail / Northland Arboretum in Baxter, through south Baxter, to the Green Gables area east of Gull Lake.

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Map

Earth

A group of slow riders, fast riders and half-fast riders
Dedicated to Promoting Safe and Enjoyable Cycling in the Northland

Paul Bunyan Cyclists