Nine Mile Creek and Bloomington Ferry Trail Loop

The full loop, which covers approximately 38.7 kilometers (24 miles), generally takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete on a touring bicycle. This duration can vary based on your pace and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery or highlights.

The loop offers a diverse experience. The Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail section is primarily a smooth, 10-foot wide asphalt path, featuring over two miles of distinctive wooden boardwalks over wetlands. In contrast, the Bloomington Ferry Trail is largely unpaved, consisting of hardpack singletrack that meanders through the Minnesota River floodplain. While mostly flat, the unpaved sections can be challenging due to sandy conditions and occasional technical features.

The paved sections of the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail are generally considered easy and family-friendly, suitable for beginners. However, the unpaved Bloomington Ferry Trail, with its sandy singletrack and potential technical features, can be an intermediate to advanced challenge for touring cyclists. If you're a beginner, consider sticking to the paved sections or using a hybrid, mountain, or fat bike for the unpaved parts.

Given the significant change in surface, a hybrid, mountain bike, or fat bike would be most appropriate for the entire loop, especially for the unpaved sections of the Bloomington Ferry Trail. While touring bicycles are suitable for the paved Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail, they might struggle with the sandy and potentially rugged singletrack of the unpaved portions.

The route offers varied scenery, from urban greenways to a wilderness feel. You'll pass through wetlands, woodlands, and urban environments. Specific highlights include the Nine Mile Creek Trail – US 169 Underpass and Boardwalk, Shady Oak Lake, Bryant Lake Regional Park, and the Nine Mile Creek Bridge. The Bloomington Ferry Trail also offers scenic vistas within the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

The Bloomington Ferry Trail, particularly within the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, is excellent for wildlife viewing. You might spot raccoons, beavers, pileated woodpeckers, deer, and various bird species. The wetlands along the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail also host diverse birdlife.

Spring, summer, and fall are generally good, but be aware that the Bloomington Ferry Trail is prone to flooding from the Minnesota River, especially in spring or after heavy rains. Flooding can reshape the trail and introduce new features like sand dunes, making sections impassable. Always check current trail conditions before heading out, particularly for the unpaved river bottom sections.

Yes, dogs are generally allowed on both the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail and the Bloomington Ferry Trail. However, they must be kept on a leash at all times, and you are expected to clean up after your pet. Always respect local signage regarding pet regulations.

No, there are typically no permits or entrance fees required to access and cycle the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail or the Bloomington Ferry Trail. These are public regional trails.

While specific parking lots aren't detailed, both the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail and the Bloomington Ferry Trail are part of larger regional park systems. You can usually find parking at various regional parks or access points along the trails in cities like Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield, and Bloomington. Check local park websites for designated parking areas.

Yes, the route integrates with a broader network of trails. It includes significant sections of the Bloomington Ferry Trail and the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail. You'll also find it intersects with or runs alongside parts of the CP Rail Regional Trail, Bush Lake Trail, Bredesen Park Bike Trail, and the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail.