Valhalla Bound

Trail Overview

Valhalla Bound is very likely the most difficult public dirt bike trail in Minnesota. If you've ever watched Red Bull Romaniacs and thought, "That looks fun!" then this trail might be for you. High-level hard enduro skills, some buddies, a desire for Type III fun, and good health insurance are highly recommended. The gatekeeper obstacle at the beginning is a four-foot rock drop into a steep downhill. From there, you descend to the bottom of the ridge before encountering increasingly technical rock gardens, ledges, and boulder fields. The lower section features large, jagged rocks that demand precise wheel placement and expert throttle and clutch control. The trail "mellows out" slightly into a virtually continuous rock garden winding along the ridge before turning uphill onto a steep, rocky climb. The final push is an extremely steep mix of loose dirt, roots, and rocks that can be harder to walk up than ride. After that, you'll encounter a handful of ledge step-ups and steep hill sections before reaching the downhill rockfall traverse. This is arguably the sketchiest part of the trail due to the steep slope and the consequences of a mistake. Many of the rocks are not deeply embedded and can shift, rock, or come loose under your tires. If you've made it this far, congratulations! You only have a handful of steep rocky climbs, ledges, and boulder sections left before reaching the trailhead.

Photos of Valhalla Bound

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Difficulty

This is an extremely difficult trail, and the consequences of mistakes are high in many sections. A highly skilled rider can ride this trail without assistance, but most riders will need help from friends at some point along the way. Valhalla Bound is often regarded as one of the hardest public dirt bike trails in the Midwest for good reason. Riders will encounter steep climbs, steep descents, off-camber traverses, large ledges, loose boulder fields, and technical rock gardens with very few opportunities to recover or relax. Careful line selection, clutch control, balance, and traction management are mandatory. The consequences of mistakes can be severe. A simple tip-over may result in your bike crashing into granite, while other sections feature steep slopes where both rider and machine can slide or tumble a considerable distance through rocks. This trail should not be attempted alone, and riders should be comfortable performing advanced hard enduro techniques before entering. Expect scratches, dents, bruises, exhaustion, and stories you'll tell for years afterward.

Technical Rating

Valhalla Bound can be accessed by the following ride types:

• Dirt Bike