Forest Lake loop

A road and trail ride.

Approximate distance: 39 mi


This is a loop ride that takes you northeast of Shoreview into rural Washington County north of Hugo and on to Forest Lake. The route begins by heading east of Shoreview and going around a portion of Bald Eagle Lake. From the north end of the lake, the route turns north passing through residential and industrial areas before arriving in Hugo. From Hugo, the ride follows the Hardwood Creek Trail north to Forest Lake. The route that exits the trail and heads west on Hwy 97 which becomes Lake Dr. The route follows Lake Dr to Lino Lakes where it takes the Rice Creek trail near the Rookery Activity Center to return south back to the Shoreview CC. The ride is relatively flat, and all the roads travelled have good shoulders. The road portion on Hwy 97 from Forest Lake to I-35 has lots of car traffic.


Directions:

  • From the Shoreview CC go east on Hwy 96 to Centerville Rd.

  • Turn north on Centerville Rd and go to Cty Rd H2.

  • Turn east on Cty Rd H2 and go to W. Bald Eagle Blvd.

  • Turn north on W. Bald Eagle Blvd and ride around Bald Eagle Lake to Europa Blvd N.

  • Turn east on Europa Blvd N and go to 130th St N.

  • Turn east on 130th St N and go to Falcon Ave N.

  • Turn north on Falcon Ave N and 146th St N.

  • Turn east on 146th St N and go to the bike trail adjacent to Hwy 61.

  • Continue north on the trail which becomes the Hardwood Creek Trail.

  • Stay on the Hardwood Creek Trail to Forest Lake.

  • Exit the trail on a path to Forest Rd.

  • Take Forest Rd south to Hwy 97.

  • Follow Hwy 97 west to I-35 where it becomes Lake Dr.

  • Stay on Lake Dr west and turn left on Town Center Pkwy just past I-35W.

  • Take the Rice Creek trail south from the Rookery Activity Center to Birch St just past the Rice Lake Elementary School.

  • Go west on Birch St to Ware Rd.

  • Go south on Ware Rd to Ash St.

  • Cross Ash St and take Mackubin Ave south to Stephens Cir and then east on Bucher Ave.

  • Turn south on Evergreen Ln and go to Sherwood Rd.

  • Turn west on Sherwood Rd and ride to Hodgson Rd.

  • Turn south on Hodgson Rd and continue to Hodgson Rd Connect.

  • Take Hodgson Rd Connect south to Tanglewood Dr.

  • Turn west on Tanglewood Dr and go to Victoria Ave.

  • Turn south on Victoria Ave and return to the Shoreview CC.


Route section approximate distances (see map):

  • Shoreview CC to Tamarack Nature Center – 7 mi

  • Tamarack Nature Center to Hugo – 5 mi

  • Hugo to Forest Lake – 7 mi

  • Forest Lake to 125th Ave – 9 mi

  • 125th Ave to Shoreview CC – 11 mi