Luce Line Trail
From Bikeview - Infrastructure Wiki
The Luce Line Trail is a state-established trail maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It stretches over 70 miles from the western metro suburb of Golden Valley to the small town of Cosmos in west-central Minnesota.
The trail runs on a former railroad line and is available for biking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and skiing. From Plymouth west about 30 miles to Winsted, the surface is limestone. There is also a parallel treadway for horseback riding. Snowmobiles are allowed on the trail west of Stubb's Bay Road. From Winsted west to Cosmos, the trail has a natural surface.
The route is also further extended eastward toward Minneapolis via connections to various municipal trails.
Contents |
[edit] Map
[edit] Connections
Minneapolis to Luce Line is a suggested route to reach the trail from the Lake Calhoun area.
[edit] History
The Luce Line Trail was originally built as the Electric Short Line Railway from downtown Minneapolis to west central Minnesota by Colonel William Luce.
Somewhat hampered by financial constraints, the line was slowly expanded. In 1927, it reached its western most point at Gluek, Minn., which was referred to by employees as "the coast."
The track was officially abandoned by the railroad in 1972 and was taken over by the DNR for a recreational trail in 1976. Funding as well as political issues have at times slowed its development, but improvements continue to be made.
