Mesabi Trail sees record number of users in 2025

EVELETH, Minn. — One of Minnesota’s largest trails has seen a record breaking number of users this year.

The Mesabi Trail is a 10 ft. wide bike path that runs from Grand Rapids to Ely, stretching over 165 miles.

The trails popularity rose this year after various marketing campaigns invited people to see what the area has to offer.

18 trail counters reported around 270,000 people using the long distance the trail throughout the year.

The record number of people looks to grow, as the trail also caters to winter activities as well.

“We do have snowmobile use on some portions where it’s designated as snowmobile use. There are sections that are groomed first cross country skiing. People can go out there and snowshoe on it. And there are a lot of people who are starting to get into fat tire biking,” Sarah Ciochett, Deputy Director of the St. Louis & Lake County Regional Railroad Authority & Mesabi Trail.

Construction on the final stretch of the trail looks to be finished next summer.

2027 will also be a big year as the trail will celebrate its 30th anniversary.