The best traffic-free bike rides around St. Louis Park

There are 15 dedicated traffic-free road cycling routes around St. Louis Park, offering a variety of experiences for cyclists. Most of these routes, 11 to be exact, are rated as easy, with 4 moderate options for those seeking a bit more challenge.

The routes in St. Louis Park traverse a diverse range of landscapes, from urban skyline views to serene woodland scenery, marshlands, and restored prairies. You'll often find yourself cycling along former railroad lines, through well-maintained parks, and alongside beautiful lakes like Cedar Lake and Bde Maka Ska.

Yes, many of the traffic-free routes are suitable for families. The extensive network of paved regional trails, such as the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail and the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail, are generally flat and well-maintained, making them ideal for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. Most of the 11 easy routes are great for a family outing.

You'll find several interesting points along and near the routes. For natural beauty, consider visiting the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary or the unique Quaking Bog within Theodore Wirth Regional Park. You can also cycle past beautiful lakes like Cedar Lake and Bde Maka Ska, or even see Minnehaha Falls.

The best time for road cycling in St. Louis Park is typically spring through fall. Spring offers pleasant temperatures and blooming nature, while fall provides stunning foliage. Summer is also great, but be mindful of warmer temperatures. Winter cycling is possible on cleared trails, but conditions can vary significantly.

Yes, there are several excellent loop routes. For example, the Bde Maka Ska – Mill Ruins Park loop from Wooddale Avenue offers a scenic 42 km ride, or the shorter Lake Harriet – Bde Maka Ska loop from Louisiana Avenue is a great 22 km option. These loops allow you to start and end at the same point without retracing your path.

Many regional trails in St. Louis Park and the surrounding areas offer designated parking lots. For instance, access points for the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail and North Cedar Lake Regional Trail often have nearby parking. Theodore Wirth Regional Park also provides parking facilities for accessing its extensive trail network.

The komoot community highly rates the cycling experience in St. Louis Park, with an average score of 4.92 out of 5 stars from 38 reviews. Cyclists often praise the extensive network of well-maintained, traffic-free paved trails, the beautiful lake views, and the ability to connect to a broader regional system for longer rides.

For a longer and moderately challenging ride, consider the Midtown Greenway – Martin Olav Sabo Bridge loop from Beltline Boulevard. This route spans over 113 km and features more significant elevation changes, providing a great workout while still enjoying traffic-free paths.

St. Louis Park is well-integrated into the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area's public transport system. Many bus routes serve the area, and some light rail stations are within reasonable cycling distance of trailheads, providing convenient access to the regional trail network.

Yes, especially on routes that pass through or near urban areas and popular parks. Trails like the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail and those around the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes (Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet) often have cafes, restaurants, or picnic areas nearby where you can take a break and refuel.

The majority of the traffic-free road cycling routes in St. Louis Park are rated as easy, making them accessible for most riders. There are 11 easy routes and 4 moderate routes, with no difficult routes listed, ensuring a pleasant and manageable experience for road cyclists looking to avoid traffic.