Day 1 Fly from the UK to Minneapolis/St Paul, MN

Known as the ‘Twin Cities’, Minnesota's capital (St. Paul) and its biggest city (Minneapolis) stand side-by-side along the Mississippi River and boast some of the region’s best cultural institutions, award-winning restaurants and sprawling green spaces. Even in the city nature is within easy reach. In fact, Minnesota is the third most active state in the U.S.

Minneapolis is one of the nation’s most bike-friendly cities, with trails and loops for bikers of all levels and ages. You can take a walk along the Mississippi River trail on either the St. Paul or Minneapolis side (or be ‘bi-coastal’ and cross a bridge halfway!), stroll along one of the Twin Cities’ scenic lakes. Minnehaha Falls is a striking, wilderness waterfall in an urban setting in Minnehaha Park in one of Minneapolis’ oldest and most popular parks. Paddling is also extremely popular and there are lots of canoe and kayak rentals available to see the cities from a different perspective. 

Stay three nights in the ‘Twin Cities’

Day 4 Minneapolis to Duluth, MN, approx. 155 miles

On your way make a stop at Swinging Bridge at Jay Cooke State Park where you can take a trip across the historic swinging bridge. On the shore of vast and scenic Lake Superior, the port city of Duluth offers waterfront trails, a lighthouse pier and over 100 parks. Take a stroll on the Lakewalk along the beautiful waterfront.

Stay one night in Duluth

Day 5 Duluth to Lutsen, MN, approx. 90 miles

Head along the North Shore Scenic Byway, making a stop at Split Rock State Park, one of the most photographed state parks in Minnesota thanks to its iconic lighthouse. Several trails connect here to the Superior Hiking Trail, often along the lake, weaving through stands of birch, spruce, fir, and ash trees. This area is also the best place in Minnesota to spot moose, and depending on when you travel there are various scenic byways, as well as the Superior National Forest and million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness where you might spot black bear, moose, bald eagles and loons, along with a variety of other wildlife. You can hike one of the four trails and view the many waterfalls at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Stay one night in Lutsen

Day 6 Lutsen to Ely, MN, approx. 100 miles

In Ely you can visit the International Wolf Center, which is home to an exhibit pack of ambassador wolves, representing several North American subspecies. Lying within Superior National Forest, this is the perfect place to learn about wolves, their relationship to the wildlands and the human role in their future. 

Also in Ely, the North American Bear Center which is the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind, and is dedicated to ensuring people learn from the bears themselves about bear behaviour, ecology, and their relations with humans.

Stay one night in Ely

Day 7 Ely to International Falls, MN, approx. 115 miles

This is your base for exploring Voyageurs National Park, the area between the southern boreal forest to the north and temperate deciduous forest to the south and east. You will find a variety of ecological systems, including conifer forests, hardwood forests, bogs, swamps, marshes, rocky outcrops, and lakeshore environments. The park is home to over 50 tree and shrub species, over 40 fern and moss species, over 200 grass, sedge, and rush species, and over 400 wildflower species. Sun-basking otters, stately bald eagles, howling wolves, prehistoric sturgeon, and hundreds of other animals inhabit Voyageurs' habitats. 

Designated an International Dark Sky Park, the night skies here are exceptional. Learn techniques for stargazing, prime spots to view the dark sky in the park, how to spot the Milky Way or when to view the International Space Station.

Stay two nights in International Falls 

Day 9 International Falls to Bemidji, MN, approx. 190 miles

Head for Itasca State Park in Minnesota which was established in 1891 and is Minnesota’s oldest state park. There are more than 100 lakes within Itasca State Park’s 32,000 acres, but it is most notable for its access to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, which flows all the way to the Gulf of Mexico! Enjoy the wildlife, including bird species such as loons, grebes, cormorants, herons, ducks, owls, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, kinglets, vireos, tanagers, finches and warblers… if you spend enough hours in the park, you’re likely to see some deer, beaver, porcupine, black bears and wolves as well. Take a scenic drive along Wilderness Drive, a narrated boat tour of Lake Itasca or hike some of the 50 miles of trails, which will take you to some of the most scenic parts of the park.

Located on the north end of Lake Bemidji, Lake Bemidji State Park offers sunsets over the water along with strolls under the pines, spring flowers and autumn colours in the maple forest, and a unique bogwalk that winds into the mysterious world of a spruce-tamarack bog with its rare orchids and insect-eating plants.

Stay one night in Bemidji

Day 10 Bemidji to St Cloud, MN, approx. 220 miles

Take the iconic All American Byway, the Great River Road – perfect for spotting some of the roughly 325 species of birds that use this ‘super highway’ during spring and autumn migration. Find out more about the state’s official bird at the National Loon Center in Crosslake, opening in 2025, which aims to restore and protect loon breeding habitats.

Once in St Cloud, take a stroll through the perfectly tended flowers at Munsinger Clemens Gardens. Take to one of the three public golf courses for a quick round. Cycle along the Wobegon Trail. Nature lovers head to Quarry Park and Nature Reserve, where you can walk, cycle, rock climb, swim and even high-jump from quarry rocks. Don't miss the fall colours if travelling in the autumn season.  

Stay one night in St Cloud.

Day 11 St Cloud to Pipestone, MN, approx. 175 miles

The Pipestone National Monument is a working quarry used by American Indians to harvest the soft red stone used to make ceremonial peace pipes. A 1-km walking trail allows a view of the quarries and in the Visitor Center, American Indians still today handcraft the pipes. Many buildings in town are made of the red quartzite stone (pipestone) and are on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. Two of the best examples are the Calumet Inn and the Pipestone County Courthouse. Don’t miss the beautiful Winnewissa Falls on the Circle Trail. And take a short drive to Blue Mounds State Park to spot the free-roaming Bison herd.

Stay one night in Pipestone 

Day 12 Pipestone to Red Wing, MN, approx. 220 miles

Stop in Mankato at Minneopa State Park, which is known for its waterfalls and bison herd. Red Wing is named after the early 19th-century Dakota Sioux chief, Red Wing. The town is respected for its architecture, cultural attractions, riverfront and the surrounding natural environment. You will find plenty of hiking, biking, boating and fishing, including the Cannon Valley Trail, a paved rail trail that follows the Cannon River along an abandoned Chicago Great Western Railway corridor, and He Mni Can-Barn Bluff where Park Naturalists offer guided hikes during the summer. Take a side trip to Wabasha to visit the National Eagle Center, a unique place that allows you to get close to eagles and explore their connections to humans in nature, history, and cultures. 

Stay two nights in Red Wing

Day 14 Red Wing to Bloomington, MN, approx. 55 miles

Enjoy hiking on one of the trails running through the Long Meadow Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The visitor centre near the Mall of America offers an introduction to its 14,000 acres that stretch south for 70 miles. 

The Mall of America in Bloomington is the largest shopping centre in North America but, even if you are not into shopping, there are plenty of reasons to make a stop, as it is home to the state’s largest aquarium, SEA LIFE, and FlyOver America, a flight simulation ride that brings guests on a breathtaking, aerial tour of some of the greatest US landmarks. 

Stay one night in Bloomington 

Day 15 Return to the airport in time for your flight home, approx. 10 miles