West Lake Marion Mountain Bike Trail

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Unknown

Although this trail network is accessible to everyone and very rideable, it hides some highly technical black diamond runs, jumps, and tricks. Perhaps a third of the trails are designated black diamond, and for good reason—particularly at higher speeds and/or when catching air. About half the trail is blue level, fairly easy in nature.

The trails are well marked, and there are many combinations of trail segments and loops with small climbs here and there.

The quick:

A well-built and fun series of trails with many different options for all skill levels. You can spend 20 minutes or an hour and 20 minutes looping around. Your favorite parts will be worth doing multiple times a ride. Since it's connected to the city trails and roads of Lakeville, it's easy to ride up to the trail and then ride in.

The details:

I can't imagine packing more trail into the available space! It's expertly built. Usually, new trails are cut and THEN technical details are added. In this case, there are already many dozens of bermed switchbacks, jumps, bumps, tricks, ride arounds, and even some hairy stuff. Lakeville lacks big hills and cliffs and ledges, but the trail utilizes the landscape beautifully and keeps it interesting.

If you are newer to off road biking, no worries! The Green Loop is smooth but will keep you going up and down. It's not boring!

Technically speaking, there are a number of big-ish jumps and high speed sections. But, this trail doesn't always favor speed. If you are a big-legged quadzilla and like to jam, you'll be surprised by the many tight spots and a few "whoas!" that throw your handlebars at you. There are dozens of smart berms, but many short radius hairpins. BMXers will thrive along with MTBers. It will be a great ride to practice accelerating after turns and tricks. I look forward to learning when to use the brakes on this trail, and trying not to skid.

If you want to spin and put on miles, this may not be your trail. But, if you want to actively ride, pick good lines, use your body's gravity, roll up and down with frequently little hints of air, and re-ride really fun sections, then you'll dig West Lake Marion MTB Trail.