The Heartland State Trail is a multi-use recreational rail trail in north-central Minnesota, United States. The main trail runs between Park Rapids and Cass Lake, intersecting with the Paul Bunyan State Trail around Walker. Both the Park Rapids to Walker and Walker to Cass Lake segments are paved; the Park Rapids to Walker segment also has a parallel natural-surface trail for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. A segment north of Walker has sharply rolling terrain for snowmobiles; DNR maps show a marked alternate route on paved road shoulders for bicyclists.
Authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 1974, the Heartland State Trail is one of Minnesota's oldest rail trails. It was designated a National Recreation Trail on July 2, 1991. The Park Rapids to Moorhead extension was authorized in 2006; the 2011 master plan described that planned extension as approximately , depending on the selected route. Minnesota law describes the authorized trail corridor as originating at Moorhead, extending through Detroit Lakes to Park Rapids, continuing through Walker to Cass Lake, and including a segment connecting the trail to Itasca State Park. DNR materials identify an additional paved Heartland Trail Extension from Detroit Lakes toward Frazee.
The main route passes through Dorset, Nevis, Akeley, and Walker between Park Rapids and Cass Lake.
References
External links Heartland State Trail