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Activity Recordings
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Activity Recordings
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SaveThe 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
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

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
- Mountain Bike
10 trails
- Hike
9 trails
- Trail Running
9 trails
- Snowshoe
7 trails
- Nordic Ski
28 trails
Region Details
- 1
- 3
- 3
- 3
Region Status
Open as of May 26, 2024Stats
- 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
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.
Popular Hidden Valley Recreation Area Trails
Photos of Hidden Valley Recreation Area Mountain Bike
trail: Erratic Behavior
39 |
Sep 7, 2023 @ 5:43pm
Sep 7, 2023
trail: Erratic Behavior
47 |
Sep 7, 2023 @ 5:43pm
Sep 7, 2023
trail: Erratic Behavior
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, 2021Videos of Hidden Valley Recreation Area Mountain Bike

trail: Ely Airlines
21:43 |
134 |
Mar 23, 2024 , Ely

trail: Ely Airlines
0:46 |
415 |
Oct 20, 2022 , Ely

trail: Progressive Skills Loop
0:46 |
420 |
Jul 19, 2022 , Ely
Recent Trail Reports
status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Big Pines | May 26, 2024 @ 9:58am May 26, 2024 | Dry | RileyLas | ||
Progressive Skills Loop | May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm May 8, 2024 | Ideal | sponny ENS&BC | ||
Outback | May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm May 8, 2024 | Ideal | sponny ENS&BC | ||
Magic Carpet | May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm May 8, 2024 | Ideal | sponny ENS&BC | ||
Hidden Valley Road | May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm May 8, 2024 | Ideal | sponny ENS&BC | ||
Gravity Line | May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm May 8, 2024 | Ideal | sponny ENS&BC | ||
Erratic Behavior | May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm May 8, 2024 | Ideal | sponny ENS&BC | ||
Ely Airlines | May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm May 8, 2024 | Ideal | sponny ENS&BC | ||
Access Trail | May 8, 2024 @ 3:35pm May 8, 2024 | Ideal | sponny ENS&BC |
Activity Feed
username | action | type | title | date |
---|---|---|---|---|
MichaelTCPEQzU | ridden | trail | activity #66016350 | Feb 10, 2025 @ 11:58am 17 hours |
sponny | add | trail | activity #63905097 and 6 more | Jan 1, 2025 @ 12:12pm Jan 1, 2025 |
thetrailsquatch | wishlist | region | activity #60887909 | Oct 24, 2024 @ 6:42pm Oct 24, 2024 |
Tvdmax | wishlist | region | activity #55526024 | Jul 12, 2024 @ 10:08am Jul 12, 2024 |
Tvdmax | wishlist | trail | activity #55526011 and 4 more | Jul 12, 2024 @ 10:08am Jul 12, 2024 |
Recent Comments
username | type | title | comment | date |
---|---|---|---|---|
report | Cleared | May 27, 2024 @ 11:33am May 27, 2024 | ||
trail | Really fun and flowy trail with lots of nice... | Aug 12, 2021 @ 10:47am Aug 12, 2021 | ||
trail | Wow! This is some of the best single track in... | Aug 12, 2021 @ 10:45am Aug 12, 2021 | ||
trail | Excellent skills track with fun jumps, rock... | Jul 8, 2021 @ 1:32pm Jul 8, 2021 | ||
trail | These are awesome well built trails! It's so... | Jul 8, 2021 @ 12:33pm Jul 8, 2021 |
Local Trail Supporters
- Pathfinder Trail Building LLC
- Kay-Linn Enterprises
Activity Type Stats
activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | ridelogs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mountain Bike | 10 | 9 miles | 653 ft | 3 miles | 131 ft | #6,479 | #2,788 | 28 | 131 | 888 | ||
E-Bike | 2 | 1 mile | 49 ft | 1,135 ft | 49 ft | 15 | ||||||
Hike | 9 | 9 miles | 617 ft | 3 miles | 131 ft | #2,923 | #1,634 | 128 | 11 | |||
Trail Running | 9 | 9 miles | 617 ft | 3 miles | 131 ft | #2,931 | #1,633 | 128 | 14 | |||
Snowshoe | 7 | 6 miles | 348 ft | 2 miles | 131 ft | #190 | #113 | 97 | 1 | |||
Nordic Ski | 28 | 13 miles | 856 ft | 5 miles | 151 ft | #91 | #67 | 107 | 114 |
- 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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