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Bertram Chain of Lakes - Counterclockwise

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.5 (64)
  1. Areas
  2. MN
  3. …Southeast Minnesota
  4. …Monticello
  5. Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park
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“Flowy singletrack with many character changes throughout, great scenery, and some fun optional features. ”

Joe Switek
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Map Key

17.7

Miles

28.6

KM

100%

Singletrack

996' 304 m

High

941' 287 m

Low

530' 161 m

Up

537' 164 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

6%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

An awesome combination of machine and hand-built trail, technical features, small hills, beautiful lakes and creeks!

This is a rapidly evolving trail system. There is currently a 10-mile loop around the lakes or a 9-mile loop on the east side of the park, depending on which route you take. There is also a 2-mile loop across the road from the parking lot.

Some segments of this trail will have a notably different character from others, so it definitely doesn't feel like you are riding the same trail for miles on end. There are still a few segments of trail using old hardscramble/dirtbike trail, but most of the trails have been recently built within the past 6 years. There are also some of the biggest sized technical features in the metro area to be found here. The park will continue to be developed with new trail segments added over time.

Description

At the trailhead, you'll go through the gate in the fencing, head to the right and the entrance to the trail system is clearly marked.

The first part of the trail parallels 90th street and rides fast, eventually heading down a bermed descent, then heads back up through some berms and rollers. After this, you'll be riding on a doubletrack section that goes over a wooden bridge, keep your eye out for other trail users here as this is a two-way trail, also shared with the Wright County hiking trail. After this, you'll emerge into a prairie and start riding some newer trail built late 2014, which eventually winds around "Bald Hill" giving great views when the leaves are down. At various points, you'll have the option to turn back towards the trailhead for a smaller loop.

Halfway through the loop, you'll come to a bridge crossing in the NE corner of the park. This is a significant decision point - cross the bridge over the creek to ride all the way around the chain of lakes, or continue riding the trail on the south bank of the creek.

The trail after crossing the bridge offers some more open, very flowy and fast trail with bermed corners, eventually turning into a segment of old dirtbike trail, and finally into a blend of newly constructed trail around an esker area and some very old mountain bike singletrack.

Choosing to stay south of the creek, you'll continue riding some fairly tight, twisty trail with some great views of the creek and lakes. Eventually, this trail turns into a segment of old dirtbike trail that is more open and fast, then into some singletrack through an old Christmas tree farm. There are some good-sized, constructed technical features to be found on this path.

There is also a small loop across the dirt road from the trailhead parking lot; simply ride directly across the road and there will be wayfinding posts marking the entrance. This is a self-contained 2-mile loop, which has great flow to it and also has the large Huck Harbor trail feature on it.

The trail tread at this park is much loamier and softer than nearby trails, combined with the deeper woods this gives it more of a "rugged" feel in comparison. It also drains exceptionally well and is often ready to ride earlier than nearby trails after a rain event. If you are looking for a more rugged ride, this is the trail for you. Many people enjoy bringing their fatbike here. Winter riding is allowed (please stay off XC ski trails!), and a volunteer occasionally grooms the trail.

Contacts

Local Club: Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC)

Land Manager: Wright County Parks

Shared By:

Joe Switek with improvements by Graydon Betts
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 64 votes

#1

in Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park

#232

Overall
  4.5 from 64 votes
5 Star
61%
4 Star
31%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Bertram Chain of Lakes…

#5

in Minnesota

#232

Overall
38 Views Last Month
30,003 Since Jul 22, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
2%
13%
66%
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Photos

The Lochness Monster isn't the only Prehistoric creature you'll see at Bertram!
May 3, 2017 near Monticello, MN
Some of the wooden features MORC built in 2016 at Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Jun 23, 2017 near Monticello, MN
Riding Bertram Chain of Lakes
Oct 3, 2018 near Monticello, MN
Exiting Gravity Cavity with style!
May 3, 2017 near Monticello, MN
Peter sends a log drop at Bertram.
May 3, 2017 near Monticello, MN
My little ones out on the trail helping me put up a new sign on the 100 ft Monti-Python!
Nov 29, 2016 near Monticello, MN

6 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 42 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 5, 2024
Atsuko Ohtake
Aug 23, 2024
Jake Weinzierl
12.3mi — 1h 45m
Aug 18, 2024
Jason Parrish
Sep 16, 2022
Alfred Miessner
great features nice jumps well built a lot of fun 10.8mi — 2h 41m
Sep 5, 2021
Anna Plotnik
Very simple but a beautiful casual ride. Optional B lines to spice it up 15.5mi — 1h 30m
Aug 31, 2021
Sean G
Apr 30, 2021
Derek Burchill
Trail is in great condition 10mi — 1h 00m
Oct 15, 2020
Grace F
Out and back on trails along the east side of the lake — 1h 00m

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