| Paul Bunyan State Trail | |
|---|---|
| A former Northern Pacific Railway depot in Nisswa, now a historical museum beside the Paul Bunyan State Trail | |
| Length | 112 miles (180 km) |
| Location | Central Minnesota, USA |
| Designation | Minnesota state trail |
| Trailheads | Brainerd Lake Bemidji State Park |
| Use | Biking, hiking, in-line skating, mountain biking, snowmobiling |
| Season | Year-round |
| Sights | Leech Lake, Lake Bemidji |
| Hazards | Severe weather |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Website | Paul Bunyan State Trail |
The Paul Bunyan State Trail is a multi-use recreational rail trail in north-central Minnesota, USA, running between the cities of Brainerd and Bemidji. Named after the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan of American folklore, the trail is one of the longest continuously paved rail trails in the United States.[1]
The route was part of the Burlington Northern Railroad lines abandoned in 1983. The trail currently covers a distance of 112 miles (180 km), with plans to extend slightly at either end for a completed distance of 120 miles (190 km). The southern extension, projected to be completed in 2012, will reach Crow Wing State Park. The route through Bemidji currently follows city roads until an off-road path can be secured.[1] The Paul Bunyan State Trail intersects with the Heartland State Trail in Walker and in Bemidji joins the Blue Ox Trail, which continues 110 miles (180 km) to the Canada – United States border.[2]