Heartland State Trail - Park Rapids to Walker (MN)

Heartland Trailhead at Red Bridge Park in Park Rapids, MN

 We left Wildwedge RV Park around 9 am Tuesday with Dennis and Rita who would be our lunch companions and "shuttle service" today as we ride the Heartland Trail from Park Rapids to Walker, a 27 mile ride.

 The drive from Pequot Lakes to Park Rapids was just over an hour.  We arrived at Red Bridge Park around 10:15am, unloaded bikes, and were on the trail by 10:30am.  We had clear skies and lots of sunshine.  While we biked Dennis and Rita took in the sights of Park Rapids.  They found many little shops and remarked that they could have spent the entire day exploring this town.  Maybe another day because today the plan was to meet us for lunch in an hour and a half at the little town of Nevis.

 The Heartland Trail is a 49 mile paved trail from Park Rapids to Cass Lake.  It is one of the first rail trails in the country.   The portion of the trail that we rode has a second parallel trail (natural surface) for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.

 Along the trail we enjoyed numerous trees, many of which were towering pines, lush farmland, marshes, and beautiful lakes.
(Click on the individual pictures to enlarge)


 The first town we biked through, Dorset, offered a trailhead and restaurants.  The sign in front of the building on the left says
"Eat - Shop - Sleep" then below that it says "Restaurant Capital of the World".  That phrase is interesting as the population of Dorset is 22 and there are 4 restaurants in a town that spans 2 blocks.  This is also the town which elected a 4-year-old mayor in 2012 and then re-elected the child in 2013!  The town has mini golf and an ice cream shop.  So how can the town boast of being the restaurant capital?  There is approximately 1 restaurant per 5 people of this unique trailside town!  The things we learn when riding trails and writing a blog!

 From Dorset it is 5.3 miles to Nevis.  The trail offers more lakes, trees, and a bridge.
The bridge crosses between Shallow Lake on the north and Lake Belle Taine on the south.

Because the skies were clear and the sun was brilliant the pics of the lakes and marsh areas were vibrant with color.

It was around 11:45 am and 64 degrees when we arrived in Nevis, MN.

Iron Horse Bar and Grill

 Just after we parked our bikes in Nevis we were joined for lunch by Dennis and Rita who had thoroughly enjoyed their morning in Park Rapids.  The Iron Horse menu revealed a wide range of lunch choices.  Chris and I each ordered a quarter rack of ribs with a side.  This was the lunch special and was $8.  The ribs were delicious!

After lunch we walked outside and observed the building next door.  Low and behold if it wasn't an ice cream shop!  Who in their right mind could pass up an opportunity like this?  Well, not us!  I got the Brownie S'more flavor and let me tell you it was AMAZING!

Inside the ice cream parlor

 After that indulgence I was really glad we had opted for a 27 mile ride as opposed to anything shorter.  Maybe I'll burn off a tablespoon or two of the creamy treat!
 It was close to 1:00 pm when we were on the trail again and the temp was 67 F.
All along the trail we noticed bird houses had been placed in pairs.  We did a little research and cannot say for sure, but believe the reason for the pairs of bird houses was to attract bluebirds.  We observed a bluebird in one of the houses and read that it is common to place 2 houses as bluebirds are territorial and will take one of the houses and another variety of bird will take the other house.
 The town of Akeley is next on our trail.  There is a trailhead here with a large covered picnic area next to the Paul Bunyan Museum.  Out front is a giant Paul Bunyan statue.  Chris is standing near the axe head to give perspective.
From Akeley we are 9.4 miles to the Walker trailhead.

 About 5 miles out of Akeley we find where the Paul Bunyan Trail and the Heartland Trail merge for a few miles.  In the pic on the right you can see both trails.  Heartland on the right.  Paul Bunyan on the left.


 Pictures here are more trail and marshes as we approach the town of Walker.

Trailhead at Walker

We reached the trailhead southwest of Walker around 2:45 pm where there is parking, a "rustic" restroom, and a covered picnic table.  After a 5 minute rest we saw our ride pull into the parking lot. How fun it is to have Dennis and Rita drop us off, meet us for lunch, and then pick us up at the end of the ride.  We've covered twice as much trail and enjoyed our outing even more with their company!