Minneapolis to Duluth (via 61 and Munger Trail)

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Minneapolis, MN, US

Route Overview

Aaron Halfaker

Gravel racing

158 mi.

2,105 ft.

This is a 160 mile route from Minneapolis to the outskirts of West Duluth (The Willard Munger Inn). The route is optimized to maximize time spent on underpopulated local roads, highways with large shoulders (mostly Highway 61), and the fully paved Munger Trail. It is almost entirely flat and provides a few beautiful view of Minnesota's rivers.

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Route Details

*This is a long distance route connecting Minneapolis to Duluth via Highway 61 and the Munger trail.  While not for the faint of heart, this 160 mile ride is do-able in a day if well paced.  Alternatively one could break the trip up with an overnight stay in Hinkley (mile 87) (e.g. at the @poi[Eagle Inn](8186488)).*

## This route proceeds in 3 major segments:  
* First is an @slice[easy ride through under-populated city streets](d,0,33320.29) in the MSP metro.

* Then, you hop onto @slice[Highway 61 with wide shoulders](d,33336.01,140065.32) and generally low traffic -- except on the weekends!  Highway 61 is broken up by the @slice[Sunrise Prarie trail](d,42352.16,81828) (miles 26-51).

* At mile 87, you'll arrive in Hinkley and transition to @slice[the Munger trail](d,140082.58,253592.1) for the remainder of the ride. But before you leave Hinkley, stop for resupply at @poi[Curt's Station](8186489).  You might also enjoy the @poi[Hinkley Fire Museum](8186491) or a bite to eat at the @poi[Firestorm Cafe](8186490).

At the trailhead in Duluth, you'll find the @poi[Willard Munger Inn](8186487).  An affordable hotel on the edge of West Duluth.  Make sure to reserve your spot in advance.  This Inn tends to fill quickly on the weekends.

## Resupplies
This route takes you through a small town every 10-20 miles, so you should be able to manage easily with two water bottles and snacks.

## Quality of the road/trail
The entire route is paved.  Riding through the MSP metro(21 miles) is a mix of fresh asphault and deep potholes.  Highway 61 (36 miles) is very smooth and mostly clean of small rocks and debris.  The Sunrise Prarie Trail (25 miles) is clean and smooth, but the Munger Trail (75 miles) can get rough and **bumpy** in some spots due to roots pushing up the asphalt.

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Minneapolis to Duluth (via 61 and Munger Trail)

Route Overview

Route Details

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