The Gull Lake Trail: Biking Three Sides of the Lake from Lake Shore

One of the best reasons to live in Lake Shore is literally right outside the door. The Gull Lake Trail, a roughly 21-mile paved multiuse trail built at a cost of more than $13.5 million, circles three sides of Gull Lake and links Lake Shore with Nisswa, East Gull Lake, and the communities between them. Few lake towns in Minnesota can point to a paved shoreline loop like it.

What Is the Gull Lake Trail?

The Gull Lake Trail is a paved, multiuse trail that runs around three sides of Gull Lake, connecting Lake Shore to Nisswa, East Gull Lake, and the neighborhoods and resorts in between. It was built as a major regional investment, with trailheads and map kiosks along the route, and it functions as the spine of Gull Lake's recreation life. Residents use it for morning walks, afternoon rides, and the kind of lake-view exercise that makes a weekend feel like a vacation without leaving home.

How Does the Trail Fit Into Lake Shore Living?

Lake Shore is the quiet side of Gull Lake, which we wrote about in our guide to the calm, residential character of the community. The trail adds to that appeal: you get peaceful surroundings and a paved route to the rest of the lake's activity, all without the traffic of busier towns. It connects naturally to the community's other anchors, like the 80-acre Fritz Loven Park and the marinas and boating life that define the North Shore.

What Can You Do on the Gull Lake Trail?

Walking, running, and cycling are the everyday uses, and the lake views make every ride something to slow down for. The trail also links to dining and resort stops along its route, so it works as a transportation corridor, not just a recreation loop. On a summer evening the trail carries a steady stream of bikes and strollers, and in the shoulder seasons it stays busy with walkers taking advantage of the open water views.

A Trail With a Logging Past

Lake Shore's roots run deeper than recreation. The city was founded as a village in 1930, and its early story was logging: in 1889 a narrow-gauge railroad was laid to haul white pine out of the lakes, and that old logging line later became the Paul Bunyan State Trail. The Gull Lake Trail continues the same tradition in modern form, a dedicated route built to move people through the country by foot and by bike. The recreation trails of today stand on the roadbeds of the past.

Why the Trail Matters to Buyers

For buyers, the Gull Lake Trail is a quality-of-life feature with staying power. A paved, multiuse loop around a premier lake is the kind of amenity that defines a community, and Lake Shore sits right on it. Whether you are planning a quiet retirement, a year-round family home, or a second place on the water, the trail is there every day, in every season, with the lake beside it.

The Bottom Line

Lake Shore offers the quiet lake lifestyle and one of the best recreation assets in the region runs right through it. A 21-mile paved trail, deep community roots, and the calm character of the North Shore make a strong combination. If you are comparing Gull Lake communities, spend an hour on the trail and let the ride make the case. Start with our Lake Shore community guide, read about lakeside dining on the North Shore, and schedule a call before your next visit. Cheers!