Explore the best rated trails in Winona, MN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and John Wellner Memorial Trail . With more than 61 trails covering 339 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.
well maintained trail. scenic views of farmland, small towns, wildlife along the trail.
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.
A 5 star is really stretching this. I get the history of this being the 1st rail to trail and the cool tunnels, but the very narrow gravel path is not much to desire. The landscape doesn’t change much and the overgrown weeds and trees prevent much scenery. Occasional stream is a welcome sight on this boring path. America’s bicycle capital is needing a little update to encourage us to return. Glad we had headlamps for the almost two mile long tunnel raining on us. Riding, rather than walking was our choice to speed it up but if you’re not steady - then walk.
The tunnels on the trail are nice, cool bluffs and overall very nice trail
Roughly about 2 miles south of the trailhead in Menominee WI, the trail has had a washout due to recent heavy rains. When you go to the trailhead there are signs that say the trail is closed. This is normally a very nice unpaved, scenic and smooth trail as I’ve rode it many times. Not sure, but you may be able to get on the trail in Downsville and ride south??
We rode this trail early July 2025 starting from Eau Claire with intentions to go south to Durand and back. The trail starts in Eau Claire and is great with mostly new pavement until you hit the city limits at which time the trail degrades rapidly with cracks, bumps, foot tall weeds/grass growing up through cracks, holes, roots, overgrown grass and weeds on each side of the trail so as to render it single wide, etc. We made it about halfway and turned around in disgust as this trail was not worth our time and aching lower back. Clearly biking and/or this trail, is not a priority for the state of Wisconsin and has consequently been abandoned. shame, it’s beautiful country.
We rode the trail south from Eau Claire about 10 miles. I'm sure at one time this was a nice trail, but it hasn't been maintained and it's very rough. Make sure your bike has shock absorbers! The trail in Eau Claire is much better.
This trail would be an absolute gem for the state of Minnesota if they would get it together and maintain this trail which runs through the beautiful driftless area of southern Minnesota. The trail is hard on the bike and the body as it has a plethora of cracks, roots, bumps, holes and generally failing asphalt everywhere. The area it goes through is as beautiful as you’ll find however. What a shame. Next time we consider this trail, we’ll have to decide if we have enough ibuprofen first…..
Rode round trip, including Rushford to Preston plus the spur to Fountain and back. Well maintained, beautiful trail with wonderful trail towns pleasantly spaced. I stayed in Lanesboro and would highly recommend it!
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