ADULT & FAMILY FUN
Three Color Walks
Choose from three different walks, ranging from 1 hr. to 2 hrs. Levels of hiking from easy to moderate/advanced. Call 865-3003 to reserve a spot. Walks are held from 1-2:30 pm weekdays, ages 5 and up are welcome, cost is $4 per person, and sturdy lace-up shoes are recommended.
Easiest - 1 Hr. Laurentian Divide Walk: Come and explore the unique geology of Giants Ridge and the Laurentian Divide. Take a Ranger Ride to the top of Giants Ridge, observe great views and fall colors from the Observation Deck, and enjoy a leisurely downhill hike while exploring the history of the Laurentian Divide. This trail is not signed, but follows the Ranger path. (A walking stick, or ski poles, are helpful on the way down. Be sure to bring a camera!)
THE NEXT TWO TRAILS ARE NEWLY SIGNED WITH GREEN AND WHITE TRAIL MARKERS. AT TRAIL INTERSECTIONS, ALWAYS FOLLOW THE GREEN AND WHITE ARROWS OR SIGNS.
Moderate - 2 Hr. Cedar/Alpine Trail: This is my personal favorite for variety, and will be featured in the Mesabi Daily News Tracks & Trails Feature. This trail starts at the Nordic Timing building, and winds up the Cat Track at the edge of the Alpine Area. To your left are the rugged runs of the North Face, to your right are glimpses of the Legend Golf Course. The ascent is gradual, at the end of the Alpine Area the trail heads into the woods, winding around the twists and turns of the Cedar X-C trail. There are a variety of trees here, birch, poplar, oak, maple, white pines, and cedar (of course!) Chances are good to see ruffed grouse & deer. Fall colors will be great, some maples are already in full color. When you're ready for a change of scenery, the trail opens out at the top of Giants Ridge with great views all around! Walk down to the Race deck on Helsinki (straight ahead) for some picture-taking, then head down the alpine run "Easy Way", for a descent with a moderate angle. The trail ends at the bottom of Placid, right in front of the Lodge.
Moderate to Advanced - 1 Hr. Silver /Laurentian Trail: This winding,rolling trail starts at the North driveway to the Ridge, right next to the Golf Course cart path. It follows the cart path, then splits off onto a gravel path that winds gradually uphill. As you walk along here, look to your left for a wetland area with a good-size beaver lodge on the far side. The trail then leaves the gravel path, and turns into the woods. Glimpses of Sabin Lake peek through on the right, and this portion of trail has tall, beautiful stands of white birch. As the trail turns back towards the Laurentian, the white pines and maple become more numerous. At the half-way point, there is a shelter-firepit area, perfect for a short stop or a picnic lunch. On the way back, you'll encounter at least one short, steep uphill climb, and then the trail connects up where it started. The smooth nature of the turf is excellent for hikers, runners, or bikers. ( I saw at least 10 different kinds of mushrooms along this trail. Fall colors were just starting here.)
Mountain Biking
Scenic Trails & Beautiful Woodlands! Mountain bikers can enjoy more than 60 kilometers of trails consisting of single track, cross country ski trails, snowmobile trails, and abandoned logging roads that make up some of the best riding in the area–and it's all at Giants Ridge! This is Minnesota recreation at its finest! The best time to mountain bike at "the Ridge" is from May through October. Mountain bike rentals are available on-site at the Giants Ridge Rental and Bike Shop. In addition, 10 miles of new paved trail from Aurora to Biwabik was completed in Summer 2006.
Season:
Trails are open Spring through Fall; mid-August through October is recommended.
Mountain Bike Trail Map PDF Download
Take a virtual tour of the Mountain Biking Trails at Giants Ridge
Rental & Repair Shop
Hours of Operation:
10 AM - 4 PM Daily. Please call ahead for hours and trail conditions.
*Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
Trails:
Sixty+ kilometers of scenic mountain bike trails.
Daily Pass: $5
Season Pass: $50
Disc Golf
Course Fee: $5 adult / $3 child (12 & under)
Season Passes: $60/adult; $40 children 14 & under
Rentals: Discs and bag, $5 + $5 deposit for lost discs or a $2 additional charge for each disc lost.
Drive your discs at one of Minnesota's best disc golf courses. Covering over 80 acres and up to 10,000 feet (champion position) of fairway distance, our course is one of the world's largest. Our 18-hole mountain course has dual concrete tees and multiple pin placements. We have a pro shop, practice tee, and driving range. Instruction available. Average play time for 18 holes is 2 & 1/2 hours.
Disc Golf Tournaments:
August 2, 2008 - The Great Divide
October 11, 2008 - B on the T
Disc Golf Course Map
Disc Golf Virtual Tour
Professional Disc Golf Association Web Site
Live Footage: Great Divide Disc Golf Tournament at Giants Ridge, 2007
Fishing & Boating
You'll find hundreds of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes right here in northeastern Minnesota. Wynne and Sabin are right here at Giants Ridge!
Our crystal clear lakes are abundant with walleye, northern pike, crappies (pronounced croppies) and bass OR fish our beautiful grand canyon-like reclaimed mine pit lakes stocked with rainbow, brook and lake trout.
For more information about fishing in northeastern Minnesota, visit: http://www.ironrange.org/recreation/fishing.
The Giants Ridge Summer Rental Shop rents trailered boats.
Guests may either rent a boat and trailer it to their own vehicle,
or our staff will trailer it for you. Boating is for Wynne, Sabin
and Embarrass Lakes only.