Illustration of a blue and white bull holding a red sign with the text Ask Babe!! in white. The bull's head has prominent horns and a focused expression. The sign is on two white poles. The background is white.
A bicycle is parked in front of a sign reading

Biking the Byway

Home >> Explore >> Play Outdoors >> Biking

Fun On Two Wheels

The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway area is perfect for cycling (and rollerblading!) enthusiasts. 

With gentle hills and scenic panoramas, Paul’s Scenic Byway boasts plenty of pleasant spots to rest, enjoy the views, or take a refreshing dip in a lake.

Cyclists in colorful jerseys gather around tables under a pavilion. They are pointing at maps and brochures, with food and drinks available. A person in a blue shirt is interacting with the cyclists. A playground is visible in the background.

Byway Bike Routes & Trails

A cyclist rides along a paved rural road surrounded by tall trees and greenery. The sky is overcast. A road sign is visible but illegible from the distance. The scene is peaceful and isolated.

Shoulders along 54-miles of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway

Most of the 54-mile byway route has smooth, wide paved shoulders marked for share-the-road travel. 

Byway Map
Cyclists pause during a ride, with a few adjusting their gear near a tree in the foreground. Others stand by their bikes near a wooden fence. A building and trees are visible in the background under a clear sky.

Crosslake City TraiL & Campground

A 3.7-mile loop trail considered moderately challenging that takes about an hour and a half to complete. Besides biking, it’s great for hiking, bird watching, and cross-country skiing in the winter. 

Trail Info
Campground Info
A tranquil lake scene with vibrant autumn foliage reflecting in the calm water. A small wooden dock extends from the grassy shore, surrounded by trees with golden leaves. The sky is clear with a few clouds.

West Shore Drive along West side of Cross Lake

West Shore Drive has a paved path for pedestrians and bicyclists. It winds along the edge of woods, and small lakes, and then empties onto the marked shoulder of the road for approximately .5 mi. as it nears the intersection with Co. Rd. 103. 

Bike Trails Map

More Trails Off the Byway…

Crosby/Cuyuna

Cuyuna Mountain Biking Trail System. Mountain bikers from all over the state like to rip around Cuyuna. Only about a half hour drive from the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, it’s definitely worth the trip. More info or watch the video.

Brainerd/Baxter

This group is dedicated to promoting safe and enjoyable cycling in the Northland. Find maps, biking routes, trails and more. 

Breezy Point / Crosslake / Mission Bike Trail

The Breezy Point/Crosslake/Mission bike trail is a 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.

A man in a bright yellow shirt and purple headband smiles at the camera in a park. Behind him, cyclists are tending to their bikes near a truck with

Fun Fact

Did you know?

The only reason the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway exists is because of biking! It all started with the goal of improving bike safety on CSAH 16.

Byway History

Nearby Bike Rentals

Didn’t bring your bike? No problem.

Rentals are available seasonally from:

Gogo Rental – Crosslake, MN 

Up North Bike Rentals – Nisswa, MN

Maps

Get a birdseye view of the byway and surrounding areas. Locate interactive kiosks, bike lanes, Paul’s footprints, parks, trails, beaches and more!

InteractivE Map
Printable Map

Website Sponsors

Logo with the word "Sourcewell" in blue-gray text next to a geometric design inspired by the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. The design features gray and blue shapes with an orange triangle pointing right.

Dedicated to Service

The word "SWIM" appears in bold, block letters with a gradient blue to pink color fill, reminiscent of the vibrant scenery along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, all set on a transparent background.

Deep Creative. Powerful Strategy.

The image shows a logo with a star containing joined hands, a desk, and a person digging. Text reads "IDEAL COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION" and "For a Better Community ICSO.

Invest in Today for a Better Tomorrow


Rod Nelson

Logo of Pequot Lakes Area Historical Society featuring a drawing of the Cole Memorial Building and Museum, constructed in 1937, near the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. The text reads, "Remember the past, enrich the future..." Address: P.O. Box 493, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472-0493.
The image shows the Dairy Queen logo. It features the letters "DQ" in white on a red oval background, with a yellow swoosh at the top and a blue swoosh at the bottom.
Logo for Millner Estate Planning featuring the company's name in bold, dark blue lettering. Above the text, several stylized, downward-slanting blue lines suggest motion or progress, akin to the winding paths of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.

Association Partners

Logo of Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce featuring a stylized blue bull head above the text
Logo featuring the letters
Logo of Pine River Chamber of Commerce featuring a river with three ducks, surrounded by pine trees against a sunset gradient. Text reads
Red and white emblem with a castle icon at the top, followed by the text
Logo with stylized text reading
Text reading