Six Ways to Savor Fall on the Iron Range

Fall on the Iron Range is an incredible time to explore nature, festivals and events, and savor the ways that fall is so special here. Stay in any one of our many welcoming communities and you’ll find plenty of indoor and  activities around every turn. We invite you to soak up the season with us, and consider these five ways to savor fall on the Iron Range.

IRTB, Iront Range Tourism, Lifestyle, Fall, Autumn, Travel

Discover Giants Ridge

Renown for its legendary golf and superior skiing, Giants Ridge is a year-round resort that covers more than just summer and winter sports. Make time to ride the chairlift to the scenic ski hill peak. Overlooking the Superior National Forest, this ride is a great way to see fall colors on the Iron Range. Hike down on trails, or ride back, either way, we recommend a stop at the Burnt Onion Kitchen and Brews for a great meal.

Bring those road bikes and travel the Mesabi Trail. Mountain bikes work here, too, as Giants Ridge has miles of cross-country trails plus lift-served gravity trails. Stay onsite or at any of our Iron Range hotels, motels or vacation rentals.

Hike A North American Geological Wonder

The Laurentian Divide is one of only a handful of continental divides in North America. Also known as Great Divides, the Laurentian is where water can travel one of three ways: into the Mississippi, St Lawrence or Hudson Bay watersheds.

There are 15 miles of hiking trails in this area just north of Virginia, MN, and five miles of mountain bike trails. Picnic areas and a short path with exercise stations are also located here, in the Superior National Forest.

Other Hiking Trails to Consider:

• Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm has great views of reclaimed open pit mine lakes and a golden canopy of aspen and birch.
• Carey Lake Recreation Area in Hibbing offers a peaceful setting and a trail that circles this small, scenic lake. A beach, picnic areas and pavilion can also be found here.
• The Mesabi Trail is a 165 miles of paved cycling trail that is great for a short hike and particularly handy for those with mobility challenges. See woods, water and more on the smooth pathways across the region. One of our favorite places to stroll is in Virginia, where you can easily walk to the state’s tallest bridge, overlooking a reclaimed mine pit lake. 

Have Fun on These Farms

There’s nothing cuter than farm critters, or says fall better than a hayride. If you’re looking for some fall blooms, we have you covered there, too!

Our Favorite Fall Farms!

• Cook’s Country Connection is a family farm and petting zoon where the animals are lovingly cared for and shared with the public. Find it about 30 miles north of Virginia.
• Owl Forest Farm has gorgeous bouquets just waiting in the flower fields. Find sunflowers and more through September, about 9 miles from Eveleth.
• Simek’s Farm, around 28 miles south of Eveleth, offers a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, fresh produce and more. It’s the quintessential fall experience on the Range.
• Mr. Ed’s Farm is a family-friendly horse-powered farm south of Hibbing. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride, and meet the farmyard animals, including sheep, pigs, ducks and more.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry at these Fall Festivals

The Food Truck Festival returns to Virginia September 21 with all manner of sweet, savory, salty and totally snackable eats and treats. Join the fun of sampling food and listening to local musicians on Chestnut Street. Be sure to stop in the famous Canelake’s Candies for some chocolates to go.

Enjoy the colors of the season with a guide in the Sax Zim Bog. It’s a five-hour field trip exploring the special ecology of the region and a spectacular way to experience fall.

The last weekend of September, the City of Biwabik hosts Honktoberfest in honor of their onetime resident Honk the Moose, while nearby, Giants Ridge is the site of Oktoberfest. It’s a fun-filled weekend with a brewfest and family activities in Biwabik, and tastings at the top of the hill at Giants Ridge.

Find more fall activities here!

Experience the Magic of Fall on the Mesabi Trail

Fall is the best time of year to traverse the many miles of the Mesabi Trail. Even if you’re only up for 10 miles on a rented bike (Howard Street Bikes, Hibbing; Mesabi Recreation, Virginia; Giants Ridge Resort), this is the place to do it. Experience history and scenic beauty along this 165-mile route. Here are two of our favorite rides:

Hibbing to Chisholm: 24 miles round trip with breakfast at Sportsman’s Cafe in Hibbing then on to the Museum of the Iron Range, Minnesota Discovery Center. Ride the trolley, peruse the exhibits, then head into Chisholm and the Bruce Mine Headframe (on the trail). Grab lunch at Black Bear Bakery and ride on up to the Minnesota Museum of Mining. Head back to Hibbing for dinner at Palmer’s Tavern, Sammy’s Pizza or BoomTown Brewery.

Virginia to Gilbert: 28 miles round trip. Start in Olcott Park and head downtown for breakfast at the Sugar Shack or 5 and Go. Make your way past Kaleva Hall (onetime Finnish Temperance Union) to Finntown Overlook and then on to the Thomas Rukavina Memorial Bridge with a 200-foot view of the former Rouchleau Mine to the north and active mining to the south. End up in Gilbert and ride down to Lake Ore-Be-Gone to dip your toes. Try a porketta sandwich at the Whispering Pines and make your way back to Virginia and a visit to Canelake’s Candies.

Unwind with a Nontraditional Tradition

Up North, saunas are as much a part of our lifestyle as venison, blueberries and bocce ball. In short, we have embraced this tradition and made it our own. It’s easy to experience the warmth of a sauna on the Range, wherever you are, with a portable sauna. Rent a sauna from Haverland Wellness and have it delivered to you lakeside, at your vacation rental or campsite, or even at a trailhead!

Whatever makes fall special for you, we’d love to host you here on the Range and help make the experience great. Request free maps and information to get started!