Explore the best rated trails in Austin, MN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail and Batchelder Trail . With more than 71 trails covering 355 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We've been on this trail several times and it's consistently great. This time, we started at the trailhead in Lanesboro, biked west and up to Fountain, turned around for a nice mostly-downhill ride, stopped back in Lanesboro for lunch at Pedal Pushers, then onward east toward Rushford. Trail in great shape except for a felled tree from a storm the night before. But easy enough to pick up the bike and carry it over the tree. Aroma Pies in Whalen is a must-do; both coconut cream and banana cream are highly recommended! A nice treat for our 40-mile bike ride that day. So much of this trail curves along the Root River, which makes for beautiful riding.
We're from the Twin Cities and parked in Pine Island to ride south toward Rochester. Trailhead in Pine Island is nice with restrooms, playground, wooded with asphalt path winding through. Early in the trail, cross the Zumbro River. Nice tree canopy for most of the ride. Missed taking the underpass (trail wasn't marked) and rode about half a mile before we turned around. Back on the trail through lovely rural Minnesota. Did about 13 miles and turned around for a total ride of about 26 miles. Trail in great shape overall and nice ride.
Great ride, less traffic and wonderful views and vistas.
Beautiful countryside and very scenic. I rode from Harmony to Preston and back. There are some bumps.Not a problem, but then again I'm not a a Strava segment leader so I don't really care. Rod eon fattish tires. Had me a real good time, and that's really the whole idea. Come. Enjoy. Ignore the Citiots.
I rode this new trail for the first time today. I have lived here many years and I saw parts of town I haven't seen before. There was some on street riding with not a lot of signage so use the TL map and you won't go wrong. Very enjoyable!
This trail is awesome! We only went about 16 miles from Houston and then back, but it was very enjoyable. We plan to come back and do another section of trail with our kids.
Best and most favorite trail of the trails we rode in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin on this trip!! Rode 50 miles round-trip, Petersen to fountain. Trail is smooth asphalt. Gorgeous river views along the way. Last 5 miles are uphill to fountain, but a very fun dissent on the return! Second day, Peterson to Houston 36 miles r/t. First 5 miles to Rushford, smooth trail. The remaining 13 miles to Houston, trail has some sinkhole spots and the bridge transitions are rough. Still some river views. Each of the little towns along the trail has a couple restaurants, just call ahead to make sure they’re open during the week.
Context: Rode trail end to end both directions on a m road bike w 700 X 23m tires. Past reviews seem accurate wrt beauty of surrounding landscape. Disregard older reviews re poor pavement conditions. The pavement is smooth end to end. An occasional weather crack (closer to Faribault) is typically marked. Would ride again on same bike any day.
The trail is a super ride, lots of nice scenery and a very fast track. However was sorely disappointed that the pie shop in Whalan is only open weekends after labor day. That was to be the highlight of the ride!
I spent the month of August riding rail trails around the state, and this was the most scenic and best maintained trail I encountered. Lanesboro is a great little town to stop for lunch or ice cream, and would be a good choice for your riding "headquarters". Camping available at Lanesboro and other points along the trail.
We rode this trail today and it was gorgeous! The wildflowers and the fresh air is just what I needed!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
