From the heart of Duluth’s Canal Park tourist area, a paved bicycle path leads seven miles along the North Shore and through Duluth’s historic eastern neighborhoods to a lovely bit of North Shore coastline, Brighton Beach.
The path is known as the Lakewalk, but for a long stretch it’s nowhere near Lake Superior.
Here’s where the Lakewalk will take you, with just over six miles of scenic riding from Canal Park:
Brighton Beach is a longtime favorite day trip for Duluthians and a perfect destination for the active Canal Park tourist.
Riding the Lakewalk
The Lakewalk starts in Canal Park and begins with almost three miles right along the rocky shoreline. If you want to come from out of town just for this ride, you can park at any of the Canal Park lots to access and pick up the Lakewalk bike path.
About two miles from Canal Park, there’s a brief interruption where the path runs along Water Street past Beacon Pointe Resort. If you continue on the Lakewalk past 23rd Ave. East, you’ll ride up a steep, short hill and pass below an elaborate bike path ramp. After cresting at the ramp, you’ll head downhill—and near the bottom of the hill watch for a trail junction in pretty thick woods below London Road. If you go straight, you’ll pop out on the sidewalk of busy London Road, ending your Lakewalk experience. If you take the sharp left turn and head uphill, you’re onto the second half of the Lakewalk and on your way to the beach.
This half closely follows the railroad tracks through the Duluth neighborhoods of Congdon, Lakeside and Lester Park. About six times in this stretch the Lakewalk crosses neighborhood streets, but they’re typically quiet streets with easy crossings. If you’re planning a picnic, park your bike and stop in at the SuperOne grocery store deli for last-minute goodies.
The last half mile of trail is dramatic, as you cross the Lester River on a bridge high above the waterfalls, then swerve downhill toward the lake and tuck through a lovely tunnel under London Road.
Arriving at Brighton Beach
Once you reach Brighton Beach, you can ride along the road and find your own perfect place: a shady picnic table, a comfortable bench, even a wave-splashed rock where you can watch the ships go by. There are outhouses, picnic fire grates, a toddler-friendly playground…and a whole bunch of lovely shoreline for your pleasure.
Enjoy this only-in-Duluth experience!
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