Explore the best rated trails in Ellsworth, WI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail and East Circle Drive Bike Path . With more than 128 trails covering 1024 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.
I need to ride this trail every time I cycle to almost anywhere in Rochester. I consider that a great privilege. It is such a beautiful trail that all my rides are joyful rides. Despite it being in an urban setting, wildlife can be frequently spotted. I've seen White-tail Deer, Giant Snapping Turtles, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks. I've heard and seen many songbirds, and Chorus Frogs can be heard here in the spring. The Southern section is heavily wooded along the creek, the Northern Section travels along the creek through Bear Creek and Slatterly Parks. There are multiple underpasses so you do not have to cross traffic at all.
This is an essential connector trail from the Douglas State Trail to the Rochester Minnesota city trail system. It runs on the same Chicago Great Western Railway route as the rest of the Douglas State Trail with the exception of its two bridges, the Arianna Celeste MacNamara Memorial Bridge over US 14 and the CP Railroad, and the David Rossman Memorial Bridge over Valleyhigh Drive, and the short segment that is an access easement through the former IBM property. Little Thistle Brewery is connected to this trail. Please use extra caution when crossing 19th Street, there have been serious bike/car collisions there.
We ride the trail a few times a year. It's gotten so bumpy in places that it's not a comfortable ride anymore. Redwing to Welch bad. Cannon to Welch almost as bad. Could be one of the nicest trails in the state if the surface was overlayed.
Just moved to Belle Plaine, MN this summer and was delighted to learn of this trail which starts here just outside of town next to the Minnesota River. Was surprised to discover the trailhead was utterly unmarked from the road, and after overshooting the entrance backtracked and biked down a steep access road at the south end of the highway bridge. The road ended abruptly at an unpaved, ungraveled muddy/sandy little turnaround that looked more like some guy's backwoods fishin'/party spot than any kind of parking area for a state trail. A closed metal gate marked the start of the "trail," which apparently doubles in winter as a snowmobile trail. But this time of year (mid-August after recent rains) it was just a wet singletrack path that disappeared into deep weeds, mud, some standing water, and river floodplain. The elevation is just a few feet above the current river level, which just a few weeks ago was higher than the trail itself, so you can imagine what kind of condition the area was in.
I decided to give it a try anyways but only got about 400 yards down the trail on my mountain bike before turning back, hounded by mosquitoes and frustrated by the mud, the neglected/unmaintained path, and the downed branches and limbs everywhere.
You could certainly hike or trail-run this path, and a dedicated mountain biker might find it a fun challenge. I'm 65 and in good shape, but the trail section down here was not at all what the State Trail info/website/photos suggested. I'll go back another time and give it another try with my hiking shoes and DEET, but not my bike. Hoping the further-up portions of the trail have better conditions for bikers!
We like this trail. It’s not crowded and it’s covered in shade and you receive the breeze from the water. The only thing which could be better if it went all the way around versus stopping and having come back.
Asphalt trail from Tarrant Park in Durand is rough with lots of twigs, grass growing between the asphalt, and repaired potholes. We went a little over 3 miles and turned around. It is mostly shaded. There are yellowflies. Would not do again.
Rode the Sam Morgan Trail today (8/3/25) from the I35E Bridge east to downtown St.Paul. The trail reconstruction is now complete! Barriers are only up for wrapping up some loose ends. Beautiful wide new asphalt trail to Randolph St. Enjoy!
Went on the Troutbrook Trail today. … Not advised. There’s a picture of an overpass bridge under photos. When we psssed that there’s a homeless encampment. The only redeeming part of this trail was there were two squad cars parked at the end of it so I felt a little safer. Not a place to bring kids!!!
We rode from east Medicine Lake Park to Fish Lake Regional Park. Except for a few miles along a noisy 4 lane road it was a pretty trail. Parts of trail appeared to have been recently resurfaced. But other parts were very rough. I missed 1 turn off because of no signage, but was able to get back on track with Trail Link map.
Accidentally gave 5 stars in earlier review. Trail very bad, no advance warning, whole length on sidewalk. Had to cross bridge over using #169 (thought I was going to die) Never again
I suspect the trail may be good but no warning of all the flooded and shut trails. After 30 mile ride I hit this trail and it killed me riding on the sidewalk along the road AND having to cross over the #169 bridge!!! Friggin scary. I will not even try to do this trail again. Ended 50 miles safely but a better warning system would help.
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