Stillwater Loop

Going on bike rides has been a great way for Gary and I to get away during this pandemic. Gary bikes frequently with his bike club, but we have gone on rides together too. It’s an activity we both enjoy. And Minnesota has an abundance of bike trails to explore.

One day we went up to Stillwater to ride the “Loop Trail.” This trail goes along the river walk through town, then up the hill to the new, expansive bridge crossing the St. Croix River over into Wisconsin and back to Stillwater, creating a five-mile loop.

The new bridge crossing the St. Croix River in Stillwater.
Another view of the new, expansive Stillwater bridge.
This photo was taken in May 2018, showing the newly opened bridge from a distance.

The paved bike trail on the Wisconsin side guides one to a steep, downhill road leading to the historic Stillwater lift bridge, now repurposed as a pedestrian/bicycle bridge. Until recently the old lift bridge was the only bridge, in Stillwater, for vehicles to cross the St. Croix River.

Approaching the steep hill going down towards the old Stillwater bridge.
The old lift bridge made into a new bicycle/pedestrian bridge. The bridge still lifts for tall boat traffic on the St. Croix River.

The old bridge became too congested and a new bridge was built. In comparison, looking at the old lift bridge and the new superhighway bridge, is comical because of the major size difference. It does make for a fun five-mile bicycle ride. 

The old lift bridge up close.

After the loop trail we rode past the old, Zephyr train depot, now the Zephyr Theater, on a trail along Brown’s Creek. Another lovely ride, in the shade, slightly uphill for six miles and connects to the Gateway Trail. After we turned around at the intersection of Brown’s Creek and Gateway it felt like we glided down into Stillwater. It was fun.

A view of the old lift bridge in the background…photo taken from the new high bridge in Stillwater, MN.

We were in Stillwater on a weekday and it was bustling. The weather was sunny and hot, a great day to be by water…we ate our lunch on the deck of a restaurant near the river, and after lunch we laid out blankets on the shore and watched the people and boats go by. 

A gondola on the St. Croix River.
A view of the St. Croix River and the old lift bridge, lifted up.

8 thoughts on “Stillwater Loop”

    1. It is a great town to explore. It have a lot to offer, however it always seems busy. But they provide a lot of free parking so that helps.

  1. Great blog and especially the pictures Valerie! Stillwater is one of my favorite cities in MN. We’ve stayed at a wonderful B&B there, dined at the Lowell Inn – delicious food and great ambience. The new bridge is spectacular when you are driving over it – I imagine it is even better to see from the bike trail. Hope you are enjoying your electric bikes on these tours you take!

    1. Stillwater is a great city…especially now that they’ve diverted traffic from the downtown area.
      I am enjoying my electric bike…a lot.

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