Bob Smith Memorial Bench – Willard Munger State Trail loop from Frederick Rodney Paine Forest Preserve

Bike touring routes & trails

Bob Smith Memorial Bench – Willard Munger State Trail loop from Frederick Rodney Paine Forest Preserve

Moderate

3.4

(2)

100

riders

Bob Smith Memorial Bench – Willard Munger State Trail loop from Frederick Rodney Paine Forest Preserve

01:30

22.1km

180m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.36 km

Ely's Peak tunnel on the Duluth, Winnipeg, Pacific trail

Highlight • Structure

A flashlight on your helmet or bike will come in handy to avoid puddles on the trail.

Tip by

2.50 km

Ely's Peak Tunnel

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

The tunnel through Ely’s Peak is a fascinating feature of the DWP Trail near Duluth. This 520-foot tunnel was carved more than a century ago for the mining industry and the railroad. Today, you can hike through the dark and spooky tunnel, or climb on the rocks around it.

Tip by

16.1 km

Bob Smith Memorial Bench

Highlight • Viewpoint

Bob Smith Memorial Bench is at a viewpoint overlooking the St. Louis River Estuary. From here, peer down into the land conservancy project protecting the St. Louis River and the headwaters in Minnesota's Northwoods. The water below flows into Lake Superior and forms a 12,000-acre freshwater estuary.

Tip by

17.6 km

Adirondack Shelter on the Willard Munger Trail (new)

Highlight • Mountain Hut

This shelter will protect you from the elements. It also has a picnic table, but there are no toilet facilities.

Tip by

18.6 km

Willard Munger State Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Willard Munger State Trail, spanning between Hinckley and Duluth, offers trails for hiking, biking, in-line skating, snowmobiling, and horseback riding. This scenic trail passes through northern hardwood forests, pine stands, and bog-filled hills. It also follows a historic railroad route that saved lives during the Hinckley and Cloquet fires in the 19th century. Visitors have the opportunity here to spot a variety of wildlife, including whitetail deer, raccoons, foxes, porcupines, and occasionally bobcats or black bears.

Tip by

22.1 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.6 km

8.22 km

1.66 km

1.25 km

334 m

Surfaces

11.1 km

6.42 km

3.56 km

648 m

396 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Tuesday 6 October

23°C

8°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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Comments

June 2, 2025,Bike Ride on the DWP and Willard Munger Trails 2025-06-02 1325

I discovered this "out and back" trail on the AllTrails app. After completing the "out" segment, Martha and I returned to our starting point via the Willard Munger State Trail. Later, I discovered our "DWP-Willard Munger" loop was already a pre-existing trail on komoot. Oh, ye of little faith!