Goodhue Pioneer Trail (R. J. Dorer Memorial Trail):
Minnesota
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Description:
The 14-mile Goodhue Pioneer Trail consists of two trails separated by a six-mile gap. The 8-mile northern half begins at Pioneer Road in Red Wing and ends at the boundary of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest. It follows Hay Creek passing through rugged hills primarily forested with Oak, Elm, Birch, Basswood, and Black Cherry Trees. The 6-mile southern half begins at the Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park and crosses agricultural land and native prairie. The line was originally constructed by the Duluth, Red Wing, & Southern Railroad in 1888 and was embargoed by the CGW in 1964 after a derailment.

For more information contact the City of Red Wing at PO Box 34, Red Wing, MN 55066, or call them at 612-385-3622.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Hay Creek/Township Road two and a half miles from Highway 58; Zumbrota/Covered Bridge Park.
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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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SW section: WIP?
By timbee in June, 2011
In early June I tried the "other" section of this trail starting in Zumbrota. To begin with it's hard to find. There are no signs directing you to the start. There is a short park loop which is how you get to it mostly by trial and error. I asked some local kids & they kindly gave me some sketchy directions.

I'm sure the trail is a WIP (Work in Process) because it's currently a hodge podge of asphalt, limestone & very loose pea rock (don't attempt this with a road bike). The stretches of asphalt are very nice & smooth but start & end with no warning. The scenery is typical southern MN farmland--nice but a bit boring. There is another cute covered bridge a few miles from Zumbrota. The trail ends/start on an obscure gravel county road with no signs. I did about 10 miles out & back and won't be back until it's finished i.e. connected to the Hay Creek end. I give it 2 stars only because I can see they're working on it.
Nice link with the Cannon Valley Trail
By timbee in May, 2011
Since this has been paved it's provides a nice extension onto the Cannon Valley Trail from Red Wing. A little east (2-3 blocks) of the main Red Wing trail head you take a city trail south (maybe 2-3 miles) then it connects to the Goodhue Pioneer Trail and you go about 6 miles to the hamlet of Hay Creek which is mostly a bar/grill and campgrounds. There's a campground in Hay Creek which caters to horse camping with its hitchin' posts. The trail follows the Hay Creek much of the way. It's very peaceful and pleasant. Out and back this adds about 13 miles to the Cannon.
Norhfield senior bike club
By peggy prowe in April, 2009
We parked at the #61 Cannon Valley Trail small lot, just off #19 and had a grand ride to the east end of the Cannon Valley Trail, along streets to the Red Wing Hay Creek trail to the Pioneer/Goodhue trail to Hay Creek and back to the bakery east of the trail in Red Wing. A good ride was had by all.

Peggy Prowe
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