This route rolls 23 miles through the farmlands surrounding Northfield, 45 minutes south of Minneapolis. The flat, rolling, field-side ride lives up to the town’s motto: “Cows, Colleges, and Contentment.”
Starting at the Spring Creek soccer fields on Jefferson Parkway, head east for a short spin to MN 246 and a mile-long southbound jog headed out of town. This is an easy, carefree ride, with one exception: watch for traffic on the virtually non-existent shoulder where 246 curves east.
Smooth and low-to-no-traffic roads wind east and south, dropping into a valley and rolling over a few pastoral hills—stop to admire two 19th-century Norwegian immigrant churches at Valley Grove—before dropping to MN 246 again. There is potential for more traffic on this slight downhill, but the route turns toward County Highway 42, for a few blissfully quiet, country-tarmac miles. Turning west, you’ll pass a giant wind turbine before rolling into Northfield's outer-ring neighborhoods and turning south for a cool-down cruise past the Northfield Golf Course and arriving back at the parking lot.
-Mapped by Steve Johnson
TO TRAILHEAD: Take I-35 south from Minneapolis to MN 19. Turn left onto MN 19 and drive 7.1 miles before turning right onto MN 246. Continue 1 mile and turn left on Jefferson Parkway. Drive 0.4 mile to the parking lot of the Spring Creek soccer fields on your right.
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Datum: |
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Northfield Loop
| Dist: 23.07 mi |
Points: 1887 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
| 0.00 mi |
Start |
Spring Creek Sports Complex |
Then go 0.01 mi |
| 0.01 mi |
Turn Left |
Jefferson Parkway |
Then go 0.43 mi |
| 0.44 mi |
Turn Left |
MN-246 |
Then go 0.94 mi |
| 1.38 mi |
Bear Right |
Gates Avenue |
Then go 0.45 mi |
| 1.84 mi |
Turn Left |
115th St. E |
Then go 0.45 mi |
| 2.28 mi |
Bear Right |
MN-246 |
Then go 0.78 mi |
| 3.07 mi |
Turn Right |
Hall Avenue |
Then go 1.35 mi |
| 4.41 mi |
Turn Left |
135th Street E |
Then go 0.74 mi |
| 5.15 mi |
Turn Right |
Ibson Avenue |
Then go 2.08 mi |
| 7.23 mi |
Turn Left |
155th Street E |
Then go 1.00 mi |
| 8.24 mi |
Bear Right |
Johnson Trail |
Then go 0.81 mi |
| 9.05 mi |
Straight |
160th Street E |
Then go 0.37 mi |
| 9.42 mi |
Turn Left |
Kane Avenue |
Then go 3.60 mi |
| 13.02 mi |
Turn Right |
Dennison Blvd. S |
Then go 0.99 mi |
| 14.01 mi |
Turn Left |
County Highway 42 |
Then go 1.69 mi |
| 15.70 mi |
Bear Left |
Kane Trail |
Then go 0.97 mi |
| 16.67 mi |
Bear Right |
Kane Trail |
Then go 1.52 mi |
| 18.19 mi |
Turn Left |
90th Street E |
Then go 3.26 mi |
| 21.45 mi |
Turn Left |
Prairie Street |
Then go 1.30 mi |
| 22.75 mi |
Turn Right |
Jefferson Parkway |
Then go 0.31 mi |
| 23.07 mi |
Stop |
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NFL001
Location: 44.438468°, -93.152905°
The Spring Creek Soccer Complex on Jefferson Parkway is the start location for this ride. There is ample parking, a playground and a chance to catch a game after your ride.
NFL002
Location: 44.423811°, -93.160683°
This mini detour off of MN 246 offers a glimpse of County Road 22 (Falk Trail) heading southwest. It's another fun ride for your next trip to Northfield.
NFL003
Location: 44.411123°, -93.141020°
A southbound jog off of MN 246 takes you to quiet, country roads.
NFL004
Location: 44.392406°, -93.141069°
Look south from this hilltop turn for views of Prairie Creek's wooded valley.
NFL005
Location: 44.391713°, -93.125940°
Begin a speedy, 0.7-mile descent into the valley.
NFL006
Location: 44.363045°, -93.101433°
After a few rollers, this route passes the historic Valley Grove Churches. Built in the 1800's, they are scenic testaments to the area's Norwegian history, but they don't have plumbing. (There are no toilets here and no place to refill water bottles.)
NFL007
Location: 44.356235°, -93.081318°
The route joins MN 246 for a northbound jog. Though traffic is generally light, this road is more-traveled than the county roads you've just finished. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park has a visitor center and restroom facilities less than 2 miles south and west of this junction.
NFL008
Location: 44.406929°, -93.060036°
County Road 42 is smooth, flat and traffic-free.
NFL009
Location: 44.449363°, -93.080115°
You'll have long south and southeastern views from the crest of this barely-there hill: it climbs just 60 feet over more than 2 miles.
NFL010
Location: 44.457066°, -93.112590°
A close-up of the 360-foot, 1.65 Megawatt wind turbine owned and operated by Carleton College.
NFL011
Location: 44.459868°, -93.147186°
The northwest corner of this loop turns south just below Carleton College's campus. Northfield has a laid-back college-town reputation because of it's two small, private, liberal arts colleges: Carleton and St. Olaf.
Valley View
Location: 44.391476°, -93.140202°
A view of the wooded valley to the south of 135th Street. © Steve Johnson
Big Downhill
Location: 44.391598°, -93.124409°
Before turning south for a speedy descent along Ibson Avenue, you'll catch views of the rolling terrain. © Steve Johnson
Hill and Dale
Location: 44.379208°, -93.122349°
You'll encounter idyllic country riding. © Steve Johnson
Valley Grove Church
Location: 44.361906°, -93.100548°
Ride past the smaller old, stone church at Valley Grove and the even older, white clapboard one. © Steve Johnson
Country Roads
Location: 44.355646°, -93.086815°
The easy, rolling terrain on the southeast section of this 23-mile loop. © Steve Johnson
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