CENTRAL LAKESTrail

The 55-mile-long trail, located on the old Burlington Northern rail line grade, connects the cities of Osakis, Nelson, Alexandria, Garfield, Brandon, Evansville and Melby in Douglas County. The trail then moves on through Ashby in Grant County and into Otter Tail County, where it passes through Dalton before ending in Fergus Falls.

The trailhead and parking area in Alexandria is at the north end of Broadway in Big Ole Central Park. Other trailheads are available in

Osakis, Garfield, Brandon and Evansville. These trail heads include parking areas, portable restrooms and trailside shelters. A bike shelter is also available along the trail about 1.5 miles east of Nelson.

The Central Lakes Trail also connects to the Lake Wobegon trail, which runs from Osakis through Sauk Centre to St. Joseph. Together, they make one of the longest paved bike trails in the state. The Central Lakes Trail (www.centrallakestrail.com) is used as a snowmobile trail in the winter.