Check-in begins at 7:30am – riders may begin riding between 8am and 10am. Longer route riders should be on the course by 9am. Register in advance and $ave or register the morning of the ride at Mount Kato.
Oh Pie Goodness! Introducing the Kato Bike Fall Fest Presented by the Greater Mankato Bike Walk Advocates, a Chapter of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.
September 26th & 27th 2026 Mankato Minnesota
Sunday rides start and end at Mount Kato 20461 State Hwy 66, Mankato, MN 56001
Sunday Route Descriptions: DAM Store Pie at the finish at Mount Kato for all riders!
Rest stop hours – Please plan your check-in time, time spent at rest stops and pace accordingly.
Sibley: Open until 10:30 am or sweep
Minneopa: Open until 11:30 am or sweep
BMX: Open until 12:30 or sweep
Javen’s: Open until 2pm or sweep
Red Iron Mercantile: Noon
The 12.4 Mile (paved) Minneopa Loop is a mostly traffic-free trail ride to Minneopa State Park where you’ll enjoy a 40-foot-tall waterfall and historic stone and timber shelter.
Rest Stops include:
Sibley Park hosted by Key City Bike at mile 4
Minneopa State Park at mile 8.5
The 37.2 Mile (paved) Mankato Loop takes you on the scenic route of the area covering many area trails.
Rest Stops include:
Sibley Park hosted by Key City Bike at mile 4
Minneopa State Park at mile 8.5
Kato BMX Park at mile 20.5
Javen’s Winery at mile 28.9 – we’ll even transport larger purchases back to the start for you!
The 11.4 Mile (gravel) Red Jacket Gravel Loop is a great way to dip your (tires) into gravel riding. A mixture of trails and gravel roads with a fun challenging climb midway through the ride.
No official rest stops other than the start/finish at Mount Kato
The 38.7 Mile (gravel) Good Thunder Loop takes riders south to, you guessed it, the town of Good Thunder for some great gravel grinding, climbs and descents!
Just a single rest stop at the Red Iron Mercantile and minimal route marking for the more adventurous riders!
Javen’s Winery Rest Stop is sure to be a hit on the Mankato Loop route including samples!
Hang out at Mount Kato to catch the Kato Cross cyclocross race too when you get back to the start.
Greater Mankato may be Minnesota’s not-so-hidden gem! Visit Mankato and our surrounding communities each fall for the KBFF!
The Kato Bike Fall Fest is a weekend-long celebration presented by the Greater Mankato Bike Walk Advocates and BikeMN which showcases the depth of the amazing bike culture of the Greater Mankato area. Expect the best routes, treats, and fun to be found in the serenity of a Southern Minnesota autumn.
What’s happening on Saturday though?
Mountain Biking at Mount Kato
Head over to Mount Kato to ride some of the oldest mountain bike trails in the state. Trails will be open from 5-7 pm, followed by a bonfire, snacks, and beverages sponsored by Mankato Area Mountain Bikers. Register via the drop down menu in the event registration. No Charge – RSVP by clicking here.
Group 5K Walk with Empowered by Nature Wellness Center
Want to come early and enjoy a guided walk exploring the area? Join GMBWA Board Member Samantha Wendt, owner of Empowered by Nature Wellness Center, on a 5k walk on trails and gravel in the vicinity of Mount Kato. Walk departs Mount Kato at 3:00 p.m. No Charge – RSVP by clicking here.
Wait? What happened to the Mankato River Ramble?
The Greater Mankato Bike Walk Advocates have decided to build on the popularity of the annual fall one-day ride they helped make happen with a weekend packed with ride options to suit even the most discerning of bicycling palettes. Easy-going paved trail rides or longer road rides, mountain biking, gravel rides, or cyclocross – and more: Mankato has it all!
The Routes & Details
The KBFF showcases some of the most beautiful areas of the state at the most beautiful time of year! See our list of routes with something for everyone to experience.
The Story
Discover how the Kato Bike Fall Fest aims to became the newest Mankato Tradition!
The KBFF is made possible through a partnership between the Greater Mankato Bike & Walk Advocates and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. These two organizations came together to create the KBFF because they, and others throughout the state, believe that the Mankato and North Mankato areas provide some of the best bicycling and fall colors that Minnesota has to offer. Greater Mankato has been named a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Check out pictures from past rides here.
MN’s Classic Bike Ride
Don’t forget to sign up for other BikeMN Rides too!
Mark your calendar for this classic Minnesota autumn ride (typically held annually on the last weekend in September) a few weeks after the popular Twin Cities Bike Tour. BikeMN also helps put on Fergus Falls’ Lake Alice 100 and Rochester’s Med City Meander in May, the Tour of Saints every July, and Albert Lea’s Rock-n-Roll the Lakes in August. These rides draws thousands of bicyclists each year from around Minnesota and surrounding states. Join us for one or all of these non-competitive, go-at-your-own-pace tours. Proceeds from the KBFF go to The Greater Mankato Bike & Walk Advocates and are used for bicycle projects and programs throughout Greater Mankato.
About
The Greater Mankato Bike & Walk Advocates
The mission of the Greater Mankato Bike/Walk Advocates is to help Mankato become a Bicycle Friendly Community by advocating, educating, and encouraging people to use their bicycles while improving their health, reducing congestion and pollution and making Greater Mankato a better, more livable community. While there are many citizens and visitors who already love to bike and walk around the community, there are areas that we can improve on to make it even safer. We want to encourage people to use biking and walking as a viable means of transportation. Contact Greater Mankato Bike Walk Advocates for more information. Learn more here
Additional Resources
Looking for some off-bike adventure?
Minneopa State Park is now home where the buffalo roam. Perched on the bluffs above the Minnesota River, there are eight miles of hiking trails including a five-mile loop around the 330-acre bison enclosure. Motorists can opt for a prairie safari by driving slowly through the enclosure. Craft your own triathlon by combining a canoe trip with hiking and biking. Float down the beautiful Blue Earth River on your own or with Bent River Outfitter. They offer guided kayak, canoe and stand-up paddle-board trips.
Hope about off-road adventure?
Go Mankato mountain biking! Mankato Area Mountain Bikers (with funding support from GMBWA) work hard to maintain and lay new single-track in the Mankato and St. Peter area – check it out! Visit mankatoareamountainbikers.org or visitgreatermankato.com for details on all five local mountain bike areas.
Hungry?
Check out our great sponsors Tandem Bagel or Wooden Spoon. Worked up a 21+ thirst? Visit Mankato Brewery or Pub 500.
Lodging
Campers will enjoy the convenience of nearby Minneopa State Park or Land of Memories.
CALL EARLY! The following hotels are supporters of the KBFF:
Country Inn & Suites, 507.388.8555 Comfort Inn & Suites North Mankato, 507.388.3800
Presenting Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
City/County Sponsors
Community Sponsors
