Scenic Motorcycle Drives Through The Iron Range
Sure, "Easy Rider" took place in the American South, but had Dennis Hopper known about the majestic beauty of Minnesota's Iron Range, he might have changed his mind and turned north with the camera crews instead. This area boasts miles of forest, crystal clear lakes, birds, bears and wolves living in natural habitat; and the people are a heck of a lot nicer than those depicted in the movie as well. Before the state is covered again in snow, hop on your bike and take a tour through northernmost Minnesota. It's truly a sight to behold.
Highway 1 (Ely to 61)
209 E Chapman St.
Ely, MN 55731
(855) 884-1374
www.ely.mn.us
Connecting northeast and northwest Minnesota, Highway 1 is the longest highway in the state. You could take it all the way to North Dakota if a long road trip was what you wanted. Instead, try heading the other way and take Highway 1 east and see some of the densest pieces of Superior National Forest. You can stop in Finland, Minn. or keep going all the way to Lake Superior (and from there you can hop on route 61 to be discussed next). It's a journey for intrepid travelers through the seemingly untouched greenery of the Iron Range; while the roads might feel smooth today, as recently as 1996, pieces of the highway were still unpaved.
Highway 61 (heading northeast from Split Rock Lighthouse)
3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Road
Two Harbors, MN 55616
(218) 226-6372
www.exploreminnesota.com
Take Highway 61 for breathtaking views brought to you by the only lake and forest that could truly be called "superior." You can travel all the way from Duluth (still considered south to true Iron Rangers) all the way up to the communities of the Iron Range in Lake and Cook counties, all the while enjoying the incredible vistas around you. Truly find yourself alone with nature, just you and your motorcycle, and the largest continental lake in the world. A good place to begin the journey is at Split Rock Lighthouse, which has warned ships of the high-reaching bluffs since 1910.
Superior National Forest Scenic Byway
Lake Cty Hwys 5 & 15, St Louis Cty Hwys 16 & 110
Aurora, MN 55705
(218) 749-8161
www.exploreminnesota.com
From Silver Bay to Aurora, you can get lost in the serenity of northeast Minnesota's pristine beauty. These county roads will take you to a whole different world, one where only you and your bike matter. You can get some of the best views of the Laurentian Divide from this route, as well as various historical sites, rivers and countless lakes. You can stop at any number of picturesque roadside towns for food or fuel. Whichever way you go, you're bound to see something new every time.
Eveleth to Tower
301 Hat Trick Ave.
Eveleth, MN 55734
(218) 744-44470
www.rusticrockchophouse.net
Eveleth is known as the "Gateway to the Iron Range" and is a great place to start an afternoon motorcycle trip. Starting in Eveleth, grab lunch at the Rustic Rock Chophouse and then take US 53N until you get to 169, which will take you through lush green forests, across rolling hills and across the Laurentian Divide, all the way to Tower. A shorter trip than some of the others mentioned here, you can enjoy this serene stretch in an afternoon, making it in time for a beer (or the best Bloody Mary in northern Minnesota) at Tower's classic Good Ol' Days Bar and Grill, a truly original throwback to the good times of yesterday.
Highway 135 (And The Vermillion Trail)
5478 Mountain Iron Drive
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-8681
For a full tour of the Iron Range's coolest cities and towns, take Highway 135. You'll be able to pass through Virginia, Gilbert, Biwabik, Aurora and Tower on your journey, and get a firsthand look at the similarities, and differences, between the Iron Range cities. Also called the Vermillion Trail (and with the deep green foliage surrounding you, you won't wonder why), between Biwabik and Tower, it's a grand mix of nature and the humans who have, for over 100 years, attempted to make their own place in it. Start at the Sawmill, at the confluence of 53 and 135 in Virginia, and head north into the beyond.
Related: Best Day Trips From The Twin Cities
Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.
