Looking for something fun and inexpensive to do this summer? Want to enjoy the outdoors without laboring over a grill or lawnmower? Well, hop on your bike and take a trip — you may be surprised by all that Austin’s bike trails have to offer.

With approximately 10 miles of existing bike trails and several more miles in the works, biking around Austin can constitute a full-length trip.

The Mill Pond path branches off to three different trails leading to Todd Park, Skinner’s Hill and East Side Lake, each about 2 miles long. The Todd Park trail also leads to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and winds its way to the northwest side of Austin near Riverland Community College and Oak Park Mall.

Apart from these main landmarks, Austin’s biking trails pass within blocks of many other popular destinations in town, including the YMCA, Austin Municipal Pool, Austin Public Library, downtown business district and more than half of Austin’s 30 city-wide parks.

The Wild Wood Trail is being developed and will connect Todd Park to Wild Wood Park on 16th Ave. N.W., passing behind the Hormel Corporate Office. It should be paved and open to the public within a few weeks, although construction has been put on hold with the recent tornado damage to Todd Park.

Kim Underwood, director of Austin Parks and Recreation, believes Austin’s bike trails are “being used quite well,” and the new trail will be a huge asset to the community.

A trail running along 12th Ave. N.E. is also in the works, but it will not be complete until next year, city engineer Jon Erichson said.

Two trail connections outside of Austin, the Blazing Star State Trail and the Shooting Star State Trail, are DNR projects that are currently in the planning stages.

When the Blazing Star State Trail is complete, it will connect Austin’s trails to Albert Lea, where it currently runs about six miles from Albert Lea Lake to Myre Big Island State Park.

On the Shooting Star State Trail, bikers will be able to trek to LeRoy, Taopi, Adams, Rose Creek and Lyle.

Bike trail maps are available at City Hall on 500 Fourth Ave. N.E.

So slather on some sunscreen, grab a bottle of water and a helmet, and enjoy a day a free, fun activity on Austin’s bike trails.