Looking for the best trails around Albert Lea?

Explore the best rated trails in Albert Lea, MN. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Batchelder Trail and Todd Park Bike Trail. With more than 35 trails covering 198 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.

Recent Trail Reviews

Prairie Land Trail

descent but nothing special

October, 2022 by pdchawk

The trail starts south of mason city and goes to Thornton (15 miles each way) . It’s crushed limestone with very little shade and no benches to stop and rest. It’s basically a continuous trail through farm fields. It’s the only long distance trail in the mason city area so it’s better than nothing.

Trolley Trail (Clear Lake/Mason City)

don’t travel to ride this “trail”

October, 2022 by pdchawk

Basically this is just a sidewalk next to a busy highway that connects mason city to clear lake. There isn’t much shade or much for scenery.

Cedar River Greenbelt Trail

CAUTION!!!

September, 2022 by andreaevel

If biking mountain bikes required! Extremely rugged trails! Steep, rocky, and wet. Risk takers only! Take your life into your own hands! Hiking might be a safer option!

Accordion

North Minnesota River Trail

Horrible Trail

August, 2022 by mleabattani

I wouldn't recommend this trail to anyone. It is probably the worst trail I have ridden. In terrible shape with lots of cracks and bumps, riding along the river is harrowing at best very steep hills with cracks and leans towards the rock covered embankment new to the river. Stay away from this trail.

Cedar River Greenbelt Trail

beautiful but rugged

July, 2022 by wollenburg.nellie

The trail is beautiful but something to note this is for a moderate rider. A lot of the trail has rugged terrain with an abundance of rocks. Luckily our youngest was not with for this ride or we would of had to turn around. I highly suggest parking at the restaurant Old County Seat to begin your ride. That way when you circle back you can stop for some food or just grab a drink. PS - I highly recommend their Bloody Mary’s or the 1919 Root Beer!!

Cedar River Greenbelt Trail

hiking

July, 2022 by alachapelle24

This trail has it all. From hiking to horseback riding. Fun trail with some great views alone the river. Has some pretty big rocks to walk through on part so had to be careful with that. Overall great trail!

Harry Cook Nature Trail

hiking/walking

July, 2022 by alachapelle24

This trail is great for small hikes/walks when you’re in a time crunch or just wanting to get out of the house for a couple hours! Follows the cedar river for a while and not far from town either.

Blazing Star State Trail

great trail

July, 2022 by javierheilda

What a great trail. We loved it. Ride it in July 2022. Temps were great and lake and trees make this trail amazing. It’s a must if your in the area. We from Texas and was in town for work and couldn’t miss the opportunity to ride this trail.

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

Update your notice, please!

July, 2022 by timbee205_tl

This trail is NOT closed from Waterville west. It is new pavement that was installed a year or 2 ago. There is a lot of shade but also some long stretches of open space. I usually ride to the huge, new railroad bridge half ways from Madison Lake to Mankato. There are a couple of places to buy a meal or snacks in Madison Lake & Elysian.

Another 5 miles & you're in Mankato. The "trailhead" there needs some work. A better spot to start is a large new park in downtown Mankato overlooking the MN river. From there you can continue west and connect up with 2 more trails--one is the Red Jacket the others are city trails.

Trolley Trail (Clear Lake/Mason City)

overall a nice path to bike or walk.

June, 2022 by angie.s.h

We start this trail in Clear Lake and walk toward Mason City. The things I like about this trail are that is paved, is separate and away from the road so you are not right next to traffic, there is a bench partway down, and it is longer than a lot of the other local trails. The things I don’t like about the trail is that it is noisy because it’s along the side of a highway, it’s mostly open with minimal shade, and it’s not as scenic as some other trails. It’s great to connect Clear Lake to Mason and has been helpful for us to increase our walking distance.

Shooting Star State Trail

Seas of Bluebells!

May, 2022 by dbetzler

Drove to Lake Louise Sate Park on Monday May 16, 2022 and rode the short section of the trail located within the park boundaries. Also rode south out of the park to the trailhead in Leroy and back to the park. The ride to Leroy and back was especially beautiful as we were surrounded on both sides by seas of blooming Virginia Bluebells. Just before getting to Leroy the trail crosses a river on a trestle bridge and from there, we saw a goose nesting on a little island below. Just before that point we encountered two wild turkeys crossing the trail. Within Lake Louise State park while riding through a grassy prairie area, we saw Turkey Vultures kettling, a Bobolink and an Indigo Bunting. Lovely time of year to be riding in this area.

Shooting Star State Trail

Half good, half not so good.

May, 2022 by iawestrr

Grade the trail! This review serves as a guide so that you know what condition the trail is in before you go. Here is the code:
A – Excellent condition, new or like-new.
B – Very good condition, not new, but still a great trail.
C – Fair condition, starting to see a fair amount of ruts, bumps or heaves.
D – Poor condition, lots of ruts, bumps or heaves.
F – Very poor condition, would not recommend riding this trail at all.

From Leroy to Taopi = D/F – in need of lots of repairs. From Taopi to Rose Creek = B. I have not ridden the section from Rose Creek to Nicolville, but would assume it is fairly new like the section from Taopi to Rose Creek.

Overall rating of 3 stars because of the bad section.

Find Nearby City trails

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Get the Free TrailLink App

The trail is always better with TrailLink

Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.