Lake Harriet — designated bicycle circuit
Minnesota · Park loop
Join the designated bicycle path and complete one signed circuit of the lake back to the start. Follow the posted ONE-WAY direction throughout; do not reverse into oncoming bicycles. Dismount at pedestrian-only approaches, closures and crowded concessions; do not use the parkway road as a bypass.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Minneapolis · Minnesota
- Ride length
- About 2.99 miles per circuit
- Ride format
- Loop
- Surface
- Paved designated bicycle path; parallel pedestrian path excluded
- Road crossings
- Park-board maximum bicycle speed 10 mph. Use bicycle paths only; walk pedestrian-only connections. One-way bicycle path: follow posted direction.
- Elevation
- Lake-side course with local rises and ramps; crowded park junctions require slow riding.
- Starting location
- Lake Harriet public bandshell visitor area, 4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN
Park board’s named bicycle-path distance, excluding parking walks and regional connectors.
Named bandshell landmark reference beside the bicycle trail, not permission to ride its pedestrian path or a parking stall.
Lake Harriet — designated bicycle circuit — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Lake Harriet public bandshell visitor area, 4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN.
Park board lists public visitor parking with payment/permit controls. Use signed ordinary spaces at the visitor area and walk to the bicycle path; beach, event and reserved parking rules can differ.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: About 2.99 miles per circuit. Format: Loop.
Ride: Join the designated bicycle path and complete one signed circuit of the lake back to the start. Follow the posted ONE-WAY direction throughout; do not reverse into oncoming bicycles. Dismount at pedestrian-only approaches, closures and crowded concessions; do not use the parkway road as a bypass.
Park board’s named bicycle-path distance, excluding parking walks and regional connectors.
Surface and effort
Paved designated bicycle path; parallel pedestrian path excluded. Lake-side course with local rises and ramps; crowded park junctions require slow riding.
Crossings and shared use
Park-board maximum bicycle speed 10 mph. Use bicycle paths only; walk pedestrian-only connections. One-way bicycle path: follow posted direction. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. Park board distinguishes bicycle mileage from the shorter/other pedestrian route and identifies current park-improvement projects. Work notices do not certify every loop open: stop or postpone for an actual barrier. Seasonal restroom closure notice remains; do not rely on facilities. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.