Walks & Hikes

Home >> Explore >> Play Outdoors >> Walks & Hikes

Popular Footpaths

Whether you’re longing for a day to explore the trails, or just some fresh air and sky – the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway is home to delightfully satisfying walks.

Two people walk along a forest path bordered by a stone wall. One wears a park ranger uniform, and the other a white jacket with

Walking Trails

A forest scene with tall, slender trees with rough bark and light green leaves. Sunlight filters through the canopy, illuminating a lush undergrowth with small plants and a dirt path winding through the woods.

Breezy Point Walking Trails

The land for the trail was dedicated by developers in 1978 and became a part of the original plats. The property on which the trails are located is still owned by the City of Breezy Point.

Through a joint agreement, the City and Pelican Conservation Club care for the trail’s two miles of developed area. A pleasant woods walk, the trail is available to the public at no charge.

The trail can be accessed from Winter Trail off Ranchette Drive. Users can park on the roadside, or in the Ice Arena lot and walk over to the trail. Maps of the trail are available from the city clerk.

Three people riding horses on a paved path lined with autumn trees. The riders are wearing casual attire and helmets. The leaves on the trees are a mix of green, orange, and yellow, and there is a road visible to the right.

Crosslake City Trail

Daggett Pine Rd. off CSAH #66. Offering scenic rolling hills, this paved path for pedestrians and bicyclists runs along the north side of Dagget Pine Rd. past the Crosslake Park, Playground, Library and Community Center.

Starting at the Community Center begins over 3 mi. of natural hiking trails. In the winter these trails are transformed into great cross-country skiing routes. A great stretch for the legs any time of year.

A paved path along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway curves slightly to the right, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage in shades of yellow, orange, and red. The sky is clear and blue, adding to the serene atmosphere.

Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park

Built in 1934, the fire tower is listed on the National Register of historic towers. Once a work site for forest rangers scanning the trees for signs of fire, it now features ample parking, an informational kiosk hub and picnic facilities welcoming visitors to this site.

An interpretive panel at the trailhead shares Paul Bunyan’s whimsical tale about fire towers and how Paul, Babe and the giant bees worked together to create the very first fire tower.

The long-term plan for the tower site use is “not yet determined”. But parking and picnic facilities welcome travelers to this site. An interpretive panel at the trailhead shares Paul Bunyan’s whimsical tale about fire towers and how Paul, Babe and the giant bees worked together to create the very first.

Travelers may still walk from the parking lot to the fire tower but access to the tower is now fenced off.

A person in a pink shirt and helmet stands beside a bicycle on the paved Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. Another bicycle leans against a wooden fence as trees with fresh green leaves stretch under the clear blue sky.

Paul Bunyan State Trail

With gentle hills and scenic panoramas, the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway meets the Paul Bunyan State Trail–a rails to trails project–at four locations. The terrain ranges from flat and open to hilly and scenic.

All 110 miles of the Paul Bunyan Trail from Brainerd to Bemidji are paved, including paved trail access to the Crow Wing State Park.

Swans swimming in a serene, snow-covered lake surrounded by bare trees. The water reflects the winter landscape, creating a peaceful scene.

Pelican Lake Conservation Club

One mile south of CSAH #11 on CSAH #4 sits 20 acres at the Pelican Lakes Community Center. The site includes three ponds around a developed nature trail with observation platforms.

Pelican Woods Cemetery & Nature Trails

Located about 1 mile north of the Breezy Gates on CSAH #11, just off Ski Chalet Dr. This site was designed and created with funding from the Pelican Conservation Club.

Concern over the lack of a cemetery for Breezy residents sparked the Club’s decision to take on this project in 1999.

Unobtrusive and quietly inviting to travelers wishing to stop for a bit to enjoy the tranquility offered by this beautifully landscaped and creatively designed, undulating walking path. Trail includes an informational tree walk.

A person walks along a forest trail lined with tall trees under a clear blue sky. The leaves are in shades of orange and yellow, suggesting autumn. The ground is covered in fallen leaves, and the person uses walking sticks.

Veterans Memorial Walking Trail

An interpretive panel at the trailhead tells the story of the disastrous 1958 fire that burned nearly 800 acres of timber. See new forest growth as you follow the marked trail through the pines and hardwoods. Stroll the wetland walkway and read about the flora and fauna.

Enjoy the scenic view of Hay Creek from the pedestrian bridge that takes visitors across it. Volunteers from the Pequot Lakes American Legion, installed a 500-foot wetlands walk at the end of Ridge Path. That wetland’s walk ended at an island.

Later some of that same group of volunteers cleared a walking loop so hikers and walkers can take the approximately 1/4 mile ‘Island Loop’ around the perimeter of the island. The south end of the loop passes by the edge of the shrub swamp, then turns to the higher ground on the Hay Creek side.

A resting bench is located at the top of the overlook— purportedly used by native Americans and early explorers such as Zebulon Pike to assess the surroundings.

Two people riding bicycles on a paved road beside a grassy area. A road sign reads

West Shore Drive

Runs along the west side of Cross Lake from CSAH 16 to Co. Rd. 103, 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. As you relax and begin to notice the scenery you’ll likely spot birds, and possibly deer.

Byway 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 Overlook MaP

Printable Map

Play Outdoors

Where To Eat

Where To Stay

Tall Tales

Linda Ulland Memorial Garden

Paul Bunyan Exhibits

Day Trips

Community Events