Battle Lake Attracting Bike Lovers

By Steve Heriot, photos by Explore Minnesota & Erik Osberg

Biking is an activity that has many benefits. It’s a low impact exercise that promotes weight loss, builds muscle, strengthens your immune system, and makes your heart and lungs healthier. It also improves your mental well-being and helps you to sleep better. It’s also a good way to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and nature.

As an up-and-coming community, Battle Lake offers many desirable qualities to residents, vacationers, and people interested in relocating. Several years ago, civic- minded community members, city leaders, and DNR planners made it even better for bike riding when they organized and built the 12 mile-long Glendalough Trail. The gently sloping trail runs from downtown Battle Lake, travels along the shoreline of West Battle Lake and then passes around and through the sparkling lakes and pretty forests of Glendalough State Park. The loop then comes back to town.

Battle Lake and the state park seem to be made for each other as the addition of the trail has helped traffic at both locations. The effort has extended the town’s tourism season and has made a big difference in the economy and the positive identity of the community. In addition, biking enthusiasts have been happy to take advantage of the city’s boutique shopping, dining, lodging, and fun events.

The 10-foot wide trail is paved with asphalt and is perfect for riders of all ages. Trailheads can be found at the Lakes Area Community Center parking lot, at Halverson Park near the Chief Wenonga statue and near the lodge at Glendalough State Park.

Another great resource for bikers is the Central Lakes Trail. Battle Lake is a 20-minute drive from the trail, which is built upon the abandoned Burlington Northern Railroad bed that stretches 55 miles between Fergus Falls and Osakis where it connects with the Lake Wobegon Trail, all the way to St. Cloud. The trail transverses a scenic mixture of woodlands, grasslands, lakes, wetlands, and farm country. The 14-foot-wide pavement is perfect for biking and is also used by hikers, runners, and skaters. In the winter people use the trail for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.