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Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
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Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
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      The Hidden Valley Ski and Mountain Bike trail system is a northern Minnesota mecca of 25+ kilometers of beautiful skate and classic WELL groomed ski trails and now NEW professionally developed single-track mountain bike trails. There are currently over 9 miles of professionally built single-track trails, including a recently completed 1+ mile technical track and a skills track with jumps and other technicals to practice on. Another 7+ miles are in development. Enjoy winding through a beautiful white pine forest with a variety of riding for all skill levels.

      The Hidden Valley Ski trails are also excellent trail running and hiking options

      Help us complete our first 10 miles of mountain bike trails by donating today! https://gofund.me/e82d6aa6

      History

      Ely has a heritage of cross-country skiing dating back to its 1888 founding. Ely’s Scandinavian settlers and their descendants took to skis for wilderness travel and fun. A number of ski clubs and groups have held races, ski-jumping, and downhill skiing operations down through the years. It was 1989 when Bob Cary and Bob Sommers got together a hardy bunch of volunteers to plan out new ski trails near the Hidden Valley Chalet.

      Hidden Valley is home to the High School’s Nordic Ski Program-the Ely Nordic Wolves and the largest Minnesota Youth Ski League (which involves over 120 children from ages 4 to 14 participating in ski classes every Sunday throughout January and February).

      The renovation of the Hidden Valley Chalet was accomplished by hundreds of volunteer hours from local skiers and non-skiers. Many local businesses donated supplies and materials. All proceeds from the Hidden Valley Chalet rentals go back into the maintenance of the building. Ely Nordic Ski and Bike Club is a nonprofit organization.

      The mountain bike single-track trails have been a long dream come true. The first trails developed were the 1 km Progressive Skill Loop, with the longer flow tracks breaking ground in the summer of 2021. There is also a new mountain bike team, Team Borealis, for local youth!

      Where to stay:

      Fenske Lake Campground

      Fall Lake Campground

      Bear Head State Park

      Canoe Country Campground

      Birch Lake Campground

      Local Bike Shop:

      Ely Bike and Kicksled
      1-218-365-2453
      Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
      Land Status: City Managed
      Hidden Valley Parking Area google parking directions
      Access Info:
      Hidden Valley Ski Chalet is located 0.3 miles East of Ely, MN on the Hidden Valley Rd. 1340 Hidden Valley Rd. Drive West out of Ely on Highway 169. Take the very first right immediately after you exit Ely. Follow the road to the left up the gravel hill. The Chalet and trailhead will be at the end.
      Links
      Activities Click to view
      Region Details
      • 1
      • 3
      • 3
      • 3

      Region Status
      Open as of May 26, 2024
      Local Trail Association

      Stats

      Avg Trail Rating
      Trails (view details)
      26
      Trails Mountain Bike
      10
      Trails E-Bike
      2
      Trails Hike
      9
      Trails Trail Running
      9
      Trails Snowshoe
      7
      Trails Nordic Ski
      28
      Total Distance
      21 miles
      Total Descent Distance
      9 miles
      Total Descent
      1,492 ft
      Total Vertical
      150 ft
      Highest Trailhead
      1,543 ft
      Reports
      131
      Photos
      28
      Ridden Counter
      579

      Outside Logo Articles

      The Best Mountain Biking in Minnesota
      Aug 22, 2024 from outsideonline.com
      World-class riding is the state’s best-kept secret. These are the top trails, according to a local expert.

      Recent Ride Log Activity in Region

      Today
      • 0 rides
      Yesterday
      • 0 rides
      Past Week
      • 0 rides

      Photos of Hidden Valley Recreation Area Mountain Bike

      39 |
      Sep 7, 2023 @ 5:43pm
      Sep 7, 2023
      47 |
      Sep 7, 2023 @ 5:43pm
      Sep 7, 2023
      59 |
      Sep 7, 2023 @ 5:40pm
      Sep 7, 2023
      trail: Ely Airlines
      154 |
      Jan 11, 2023 @ 6:26am
      Jan 11, 2023
      trail: Ely Airlines
      164 |
      Jan 11, 2023 @ 6:25am
      Jan 11, 2023
      trail: Magic Carpet
      168 |
      Aug 15, 2021 @ 6:27am
      Aug 15, 2021
      trail: Magic Carpet
      147 |
      Aug 15, 2021 @ 6:26am
      Aug 15, 2021
      trail: Magic Carpet
      135 |
      Aug 15, 2021 @ 6:26am
      Aug 15, 2021

      Videos of Hidden Valley Recreation Area Mountain Bike

      Hidden Valley MTB Trails - New Jump Line Ely...
      21:43 | 134 | Mar 23, 2024 , Ely
      CRAZY 6 YR OLD MOUNTAIN BIKER!

      0:59 | 180 | Oct 20, 2022
      MINNESOTAS BEST UNKNOWN MTB TRAIL! | Hidden...
      0:46 | 415 | Oct 20, 2022 , Ely
      Hidden Valley Ely eight13twenty22

      6:15 | 196 | Sep 13, 2022
      Hidden valley bike park Ely MN   Marin rift zone
      0:46 | 420 | Jul 19, 2022 , Ely

      Recent Trail Reports

      statustraildateconditioninfouser
      Big Pines
      May 26, 2024 @ 9:58am
      May 26, 2024
      Dry Tree down past split with erratic...RileyLas
      Progressive Skills Loop
      May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm
      May 8, 2024
      IdealRide Safe, have funsponny ENS&BC
      Outback
      May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm
      May 8, 2024
      IdealRide Safe, have funsponny ENS&BC
      Magic Carpet
      May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm
      May 8, 2024
      IdealRide Safe, have funsponny ENS&BC
      Hidden Valley Road
      May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm
      May 8, 2024
      IdealRide Safe, have funsponny ENS&BC
      Gravity Line
      May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm
      May 8, 2024
      IdealRide Safe, have funsponny ENS&BC
      Erratic Behavior
      May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm
      May 8, 2024
      IdealRide Safe, have funsponny ENS&BC
      Ely Airlines
      May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm
      May 8, 2024
      IdealRide Safe, have funsponny ENS&BC
      Access Trail
      May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm
      May 8, 2024
      IdealRide Safe, have funsponny ENS&BC

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      MichaelTCPEQzUriddentrailactivity #66016350
      Feb 10, 2025 @ 11:58am
      17 hours
      sponnyaddtrailactivity #63905097 and 6 more
      Jan 1, 2025 @ 12:12pm
      Jan 1, 2025
      thetrailsquatchwishlistregionactivity #60887909
      Oct 24, 2024 @ 6:42pm
      Oct 24, 2024
      Tvdmaxwishlistregionactivity #55526024
      Jul 12, 2024 @ 10:08am
      Jul 12, 2024
      Tvdmaxwishlisttrailactivity #55526011 and 4 more
      Jul 12, 2024 @ 10:08am
      Jul 12, 2024

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      RileyLasreportBig PinesCleared
      May 27, 2024 @ 11:33am
      May 27, 2024
      benmogushtrailMagic CarpetReally fun and flowy trail with lots of nice...
      Aug 12, 2021 @ 10:47am
      Aug 12, 2021
      somebodyfeeddadtrailMagic CarpetWow! This is some of the best single track in...
      Aug 12, 2021 @ 10:45am
      Aug 12, 2021
      briaelytrailProgressive Skills LoopExcellent skills track with fun jumps, rock...
      Jul 8, 2021 @ 1:32pm
      Jul 8, 2021
      briaelytrailMagic CarpetThese are awesome well built trails! It's so...
      Jul 8, 2021 @ 12:33pm
      Jul 8, 2021

      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesridelogs
      Mountain Bike109 miles653 ft3 miles131 ft
      #6,479#2,78828131888
      E-Bike21 mile49 ft1,135 ft49 ft
      15
      Hike99 miles617 ft3 miles131 ft
      #2,923#1,63412811
      Trail Running99 miles617 ft3 miles131 ft
      #2,931#1,63312814
      Snowshoe76 miles348 ft2 miles131 ft
      #190#113971
      Nordic Ski2813 miles856 ft5 miles151 ft
      #91#67107114
      • By Rto11 & contributors
      • Admins: ENS&BC, briaely
      • #29669 - 7,004 views
      • hidden valley recreation area activity log | embed map of Hidden Valley Recreation Area mountain bike trails | hidden valley recreation area mountain biking points of interest

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