by Andrew Ellis, HaveFunBiking.com
What started as an agriculture and milling community along the Cannon River, with two colleges, has transformed Northfield into a place for outdoor adventures. There is even a reenactment and annual bike ride each fall, centered around the 1876 Jesse James gang bank robbery that put Northfield, Minnesota, in the national headlines. Today, with both Saint Olaf and Carleton colleges based here, their presence has helped create a friendly outdoor atmosphere few other small towns can offer.
When you’re not biking, hiking, or paddling, you can enjoy the arts, history, nature, shopping, and more for a memorable visit.
More About Bike-Friendly Northfield
Northfield is located 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities and sits along the Cannon River Valley corridor. As a multiple-college town, the community offers a relaxed lifestyle with picturesque surroundings that attract tourists from all over.
For cyclists, it’s like pedaling through paradise, and that’s not just describing the many trails it offers. The two colleges also add to the bike-friendly environment, along with a vibrant downtown full of locally owned shops and restaurants. For history buffs, there’s also plenty about the town’s connection to Jesse James and routes used by stagecoaches of that era.
Riding Options When Visiting Northfield
Many miles of trails in the Northfield and Dundas area are accessible for pedestrians, bikers, rollerbladers, wheelchair users, and families with strollers. These trails wind through many neighborhoods and offer breathtaking views of the natural beauty within the community.
Mill Towns Trail
The Mill Towns Trail is the central section of the planned recreational trail between Cannon Falls and Faribault. It will also eventually link the existing Cannon Valley Trail to the Sakatah Sing Hills Trail in Faribault. The first leg of the trail was built a few years back between Northfield and Dundas. Today, a bridge crosses the Cannon River, connecting the trail to downtown Northfield. See all the bike trail options here.
Mountain Biking Options
The Sechler Park MTB Trail is a shared-use trail system that’s open to mountain biking, hiking, and snowshoeing. Organized by Cannon Valley Offroad Cycling & Trails (CROCT), it’s a two-way trail approximately 3.5 miles long if all sections are ridden in both directions. A small skills park was added a couple of years ago.
Caron Park MTB Trail is also south of Northfield. It’s a relatively new trail system, and a second trail was added in the summer of 2016. Thanks to CROCT, the trail will be ready for use once the spring thaw and Cannon River flooding are done.
Road Touring Options Around Northfield
There may not be as many farms along the quiet county roads heading out of Northfield, but there are plenty of loop options for your bike. One of the local club’s favorite routes follows the old stagecoach route, south out of town. Then it swings to one of the last standing virgin timber stands in Minnesota. You’ll also be able to visit Nerstrand Big Woods State Park for a glimpse of what the terrain looked like in the Jesse James era. See many of the Northfield Bike Club’s route options here.
An At-A-Glance Look at Northfield
Be sure to check out our At-A-Glance Northfield Article for more details on where to stay, play, and explore for your hand-held devices. As this story and the At-A-Glance Article are mobile-friendly for your convenience, have fun!