Minnesota's Root River Trail

This asphalt 40-mile trail is built on an old railroad bed between Fountain and Money Creek Forestry Unit. A 5.4-mile spur to Preston was added in the spring of 1996. Another 5.8-mile section will extend the trail to Houston.

The trail provides views of the winding river, forest and farmland in the area which are often breathtaking in their beauty.

Don't miss the museum at the trail headquarters in Rushford nor the Overland Inn Restaurant in Whalan, which is famous for its homemade pies!

The Overland Touring Company in Whalan makes twice daily runs to any location on the trail from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you need a shuttle, they are set up to take you and your bike anywhere you want to go. They charge $8 per person and can be reached on 1-800-240-4162 or (507) 467-2623. (These rates and telephone numbers are from the 1997 brochure.)

Because we did not have enough time to ride the trail in both directions, we arranged for pickup at the trail headquarters in Rushford and were carried to Fountain. From there it is a marvelous down-hill ride to Rushford. The ride that day, which included the spur to Preston and the new section to Money Woods, was 55.5 miles.