Getting There

Theodore Wirth Park is located on the border of Minneapolis and Golden Valley. The park straddles Theo Wirth Parkway and stretches from Highway 394 in the south to Golden Valley Road in the north. A true gem of the Minneapolis Parks System.

The mountain bike trails are located just west of Theo Wirth Parkway and north of Highway 55 (a.k.a. Olson Memorial Highway). Don’t bike on any trails that are posted closed to bikes - dirt trails south of Hwy 55 are not official mountain bike trails!!

Getting to the Theo Wirth trails is easy for those living in the Minneapolis area, just bike there!! The paved trail that runs adjacent to Theo Wirth Parkway connects to the paved trails around Cedar Lake, Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet and the rest of the paved Minneapolis bike trail system.

But if you drive to Wirth, the official parking lot for bikers is off Glenwood Ave on the south side of Wirth Lake. The MTB trails are just a short ride away; from the parking lot simply ride west on Glenwood Ave, and take a right (go north) onto the paved bike trail that runs along Theo Wirth Parkway. This paved trail will bring you to the intersection of Hwy 55 and Theo Wirth Parkway - the best place to start your ride.

The Details

The trails are broken into 2 main areas; the loop of trails south of the railroad tracks and the loop of trails north of the railroad tracks. The trails run clockwise and are one-way, except for a few short two-way connector trails.

Near the intersection of Highway 55 and Theo Wirth Parkway, just past the kiosk on the northwest corner, you will see dirt singletrack go into the woods on your left. This is the beginning of the MTB trails. About 30 feet down the trail you will see the trail split, GO LEFT. The trail to your right is where you will come out at the end of your ride. The trail starts with a traversing climb until it turns right and begins twisting through the woods between Highway 55 and the railroad tracks to the north. This trail will eventually bring you back to the paved bike path via a short section of two-way trail; take a left onto the bike path.

Follow the paved path north, across the bridge over the railroad tracks, and you will see a gated service road on your left. Take this service road. You will eventually hit a "Y" in the service road; again GO LEFT - and watch for singletrack immediately on your left. This is another short section of 2-way trail that brings you to a "Y" in the singletrack. Once again… GO LEFT. This trail winds through the trees near the train tracks and eventually turns deeper into the woods to the north.

Throughout the singletrack you will cross the wide, woodchip ski/walking trail; as a general rule, the singletrack continues directly across the ski/walking trail.

About 2/3 of your way through the north loop, you will hit another "Y" in the singletrack - it is marked A20 - take a right (this is the only "Y" at which you will take a right). The singletrack to the left is a short trail that connects to neighborhoods in Golden Valley.

Eventually you will find yourself back at the "Y" where you started riding the north loop. You now have the choice of either riding this area again, or heading back down to the area south of the tracks.

To get back to the trails south of the tracks, go out to the service road and follow it to the gate and the paved bike path. Take a right onto the paved path - this will take you back across the bridge over the railroad tracks. Keep an eye out for the two-way connector trail on your right. Follow the two-way trail until it splits, and again, GO LEFT.

This final section of trail brings you back to where you started, and ends in a winding downhill with three fast in-slope turns. A great ending to a great trail!

The Theo Wirth trails have many short ups, downs, and quick turns. There aren't any long climbs or downhills at Theo, but it definitely isn't flat! Simply put, they are tight, curvy, rolling trails. There are also a few 'trail features' scattered throughout the trails, including small log piles, manmade rock gardens, in-slope turns, small jumps, and a short section of elevated trail ending with a small drop (made from old, abandoned curbs). Fun stuff!

The Theo Wirth trails are multi-use trails, so you may see trail runners, dog walkers, and hikers along the gravel road, ski trail, and the singletrack. Ride responsibly, be friendly and courteous to other trail users, and don't ride on trails posted closed to bikes. Theo hasn't always been legal for mountain bikes - we need your help to KEEP THEO LEGAL!

Here is a brochure and map of the Theo Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trails:
http://www.mocatrails.org/files/Brochure.pdf

For more details about the Theo Wirth Off-Road Cycling Demonstration Project, go to http://www.mocatrails.org/

Trail Pictures