Duluth Trails Festival

Hill Climb & Descent (Summit North Running Event)

Forest Track Heavy Half Marathon (Summit North Running Event)

Mountain Lap 5K (Summit North Running Event)

The Creeks 8-Mile (Summit North Running Event)

Partial Exposure

The Partial Exposure is a cross-country adventure race designed for XC riders. After a neutral rollout, riders follow the Duluth Traverse through town, finishing back at Spirit Mountain in the Race Village. This course delivers world-class racing while bypassing the most technical descents found on the Full Exposure. The Duluth Traverse features a mix of beginner- and intermediate-level trail, with sustained climbs and descents across Duluth’s hillside. The route covers just under 20 miles, including approximately 14 miles of singletrack and 1,800 feet of elevation gain.

Northern Exposure

The Northern Exposure is a staple of the Bike Duluth Festival, the Northern Exposure is the perfect sampler of Duluth trail riding. After a neutral rollout from Spirit Mountain, racers will climb from Grand Avenue to the top of the Skyline Duluth Traverse. From there, the course hits all the highlights through Piedmont and Brewer Park before dropping into Keene Creek. Riders will complete a lap on Spirit Mountain’s newly refreshed XC loop and finish on the classic singletrack of Knowlton Creek. This year’s course comes in at just over 27 miles, featuring nearly 20 miles of world-class singletrack and about 2,600 feet of climbing.

King and Queen of the Mountain

Chainless Downhill

This intermediate rider course requires riders to carry speed all the way down the hill - challenging even the most skilled riders to generate and carry speed without pedaling! Quick link and chain pin removal tools available for use. Costumes are highly encouraged, and best dressed riders will walk away with more than just a medal!

Intermediate Enduro (4 Stages)

Experience the thrill of enduro racing on intermediate rated trails! This race includes four timed downhill stages across blue and black rated, flow and tech trails. The course is set up to accommodate riders of intermediate skill level and up.

Advanced Enduro (7 Stages)

Test your skills on Spirit Mountain’s most technical trails over seven timed stages! This course is designed for experienced/advanced riders, and all the utilized trails are rated single or double black diamond.

Beginner Downhill

This course features beginner-friendly trails for participants with basic mountain bike handling skills. The track’s length is approximately 1 mile with an expected duration of 5 minutes per ride. We recommend any experienced youth riders looking for more advanced downhill riding partake in the beginner or intermediate Beginner Enduro races. T-Shirts are available while supplies last!

Whip-Off

Whip-Off: Go Big, and throw your bike as sideways as possible, then bring it back for a smooth landing on Spirit Mountains newest black level jump line trail. This event will be held in a “Jam Session” format

Beginner Enduro (2 Stages)

Want to try enduro racing but don't know where to start? This race is a great opportunity to get your toes wet! Experience the thrill of enduro racing on beginner rated trails! This race includes two timed downhill stages. The course is set up to accommodate riders of beginner skill level and up.

Downhill Race (Advanced)

Fly down Calculated Risk – one of the premier gravity trails in Minnesota! This high-speed competition course features numerous table-top jumps, rock gardens, gap-jumps (optional B-lines), wide sweeping berms, and the flagship feature “The Terrarium” which offers spectators the opportunity to watch racers sail down a steep rocky face culminating in a 5-foot drop at the bottom (optional B-line ). The course is fully rollable but rewards riders willing to take to the air over some of the obstacles and rock gardens. Finish times generally range from 2-3 minutes for the 3,500-foot track. Full face helmets are required.

Youth XC

Athletes will compete on a beginner friendly loop that is a mix of single rack and gravel road.

SRAM Suspension Clinic

RockShox Hands-On Suspension Tuning Clinic For many riders, suspension feels mysterious or even intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be! The right setup can transform your ride, making it smoother, more predictable, and a whole lot more fun. The difference between your bike controlling you and you confidently controlling your ride often comes down to just a few simple adjustments. Join RockShox and Ski Hut for a hands‑on suspension clinic designed to demystify your suspension, build confidence, and empower you to experiment with all the knobs, dials, and settings that help fine‑tune your ride. What We’ll Cover: 1. Suspension fundamentals Learn what compression, rebound, and spring rate really do. 2. Sag setup Properly set your suspension for your weight and riding style. 3. Rebound tuning on‑trail Ride the same segment multiple times to feel how adjustments change performance. What to Bring: 1. Your bike (All suspension brands welcome.) 2. A readiness to ride We’ll be repeating the same trail section several times to dial in your setup. 3. Snacks/drinks if you have favorites We’ll provide some refreshments, but feel free to bring your own go‑tos.