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Heartland State Trail

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Coordinates: 47°9′7.84″N 94°38′24.92″W / 47.1521778°N 94.6402556°W / 47.1521778; -94.6402556
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Heartland State Trail
The Heartland State Trail leaving Park Rapids, Minnesota
Length49 mi (79 km)
LocationCentral Minnesota, USA
DesignationMinnesota state trail
TrailheadsPark Rapids
Cass Lake
UseBiking, hiking, horseback riding, in-line skating, mountain biking, snowmobiling
GradeMostly level
SeasonYear-round
SightsChippewa National Forest, Leech Lake
HazardsSevere weather
SurfaceAsphalt, partial natural
WebsiteHeartland State Trail

The Heartland State Trail is a multi-use recreational rail trail in north-central Minnesota, USA. It runs 49 miles (79 km) between Park Rapids and Cass Lake, intersecting with the Paul Bunyan State Trail around Walker. The entire route is paved, with a parallel grass trackway along the southern half for horseback riding and mountain biking. The northern half of the trail has some parallel trackway for snowmobiles.[1] A 4-mile (6.4 km) segment north of Walker traverses very hilly terrain to appeal to snowmobilers; other users can follow a marked alternate route on paved road shoulders.[2]

Established by an act of the Minnesota Legislature in 1974, the Heartland State Trail is one of the state's oldest rail trails. A westward extension was approved in 2006 to run 85–100 miles (137–161 km) from Park Rapids to Moorhead. This section is still in the planning stages and the exact route has not been finalized.[3]

The official start of the Heartland Trail is at Park Rapids’ Heartland Park, which has shelters, restrooms, a swimming beach and a bridge across the Fish Hook River.

The trail's current route runs from Park Rapids through Dorset, Nevis, Akeley, and Walker to Cass Lake. The trail connects the communities of Park Rapids, Dorset, Nevis, Akeley, Walker and Cass Lake.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Heartland State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  2. ^ Heartland State Trail (PDF) (Map). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2010. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  3. ^ Heartland State Trail Extension: Park Rapids to Moorhead Master Plan (PDF) (Report). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  4. ^ "City of Akeley Minnesota". City of Akeley Minnesota. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
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47°9′7.84″N 94°38′24.92″W / 47.1521778°N 94.6402556°W / 47.1521778; -94.6402556


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