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 56 trails covering 331 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.
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Covering a residential section of northwestern Rochester, the West 55th Street Path helps connect neighborhood residents with the rest of Rochester's expansive trail network, including the lovely and...
The 30.4-mile Chippewa River State Trail kicks off at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers in downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park, where visitors can access a walking labyrinth,...
Located within the wooded acres of Quarry Hill Park, a popular recreation destination in Rochester, the Quarry Hill Family Trail is a flat, paved multi-use trail that serves as a connection in the...
The Valleyhigh Road Bike Path is a paved asphalt sidepath trail that provides a short connection between several paths in Rochester's system of multi-use trails. The western end marks the beginning of...
A straightforward asphalt sidepath trail, the St. Bridgets Bike Path runs along the side of its namesake roadway in southern Rochester, in a residential and commercial pocket just off Highway 63....
The Foster-Arend Trail helps connect residents in northern Rochester with the rest of the city's network of trails and bike paths, and leads into Foster-Arend Park, a popular local park that offers...
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The Swift Creek Trail combines a trail segment running the length of Isle la Plume and a walking trail that was the initiative of staff of the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. The trail begins in...
One of Rochester's many suburban sidepath trails, the Overland Drive Trail runs along a roadside near the northern limits of the city. Passing over rolling hills and through the edges of residential...
The East Circle Drive Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath in northern Rochester that helps provide a connection between the John Wellner Memorial Trail and the Zumbro North Trail, two key components of...
The Bear Creek Cutoff Trail serves as a short connector trail, allowing cyclists and pedestrians access to and from the southern end of the Bear Creek Trail. The asphalt pathway spans from 11th Avenue...
Offering nearly 10 miles of paved pathway through Rochester, the Zumbro South Trail serves as both an important transportation route and recreational destination. As the western end of the trail...
The Southern Woods Trail is a short, paved trail that runs through a pretty section of suburban southern Rochester. The trail starts in the north where the 48th Street Bike Path crosses over Willow...
The Douglas State Trail occupies the railbed of the former Chicago Great Western Railway corridor between the cities of Rochester and Pine Island. Several of the concrete obelisk railroad mile markers...
This trail and bike-ped bridge are named for a La Crosse resident and trail lover, whose independent efforts to create a walking path in the 1950s would pave the way for this trail. The hard surface...
The Douglas-Cascade Trail extends 2 miles southeast towards downtown Rochester from the southern terminus of the Douglas State Trail. The paved trail, a portion of which follows the former Chicago...
The Badger Hills Bike Path is a suburban sidepath trail that travels along the side of 41st Street and Badger Hills Drive in northern Rochester. While not much to look at, this asphalt pathway...
The Great River Ridge State Trail runs for 13 miles between County Road 9 just north of Eyota and Third Street Southwest just north of Wabasha Street in the town of Plainview, which serves as the...
Utter darkness is as much a part of the scenery along the Elroy-Sparta State Trail as the views of the rolling hills and farmland. That’s because visitors pass through three hand-dug railroad tunnels...
A short sidepath trail that runs through a neighborhood in the southern reaches of Rochester, the Hart Farms Trail offers a pleasant asphalt path for local residents. Sharing the roadside with a row...
Running through the Meadow Park neighborhood in southern Rochester, the Meadow Park Bike Path provides a convenient connection for residents of the nearby neighborhoods to reach popular local parks...
Offering a pleasant path along the southern side of Cascade Lake, the Cascade Lake Trail allows cyclists and pedestrians to explore the grounds around the lakeshore and Cascade Lake Park, home to a...
The Great River Ridge State Trail runs for 13 miles between County Road 9 just north of Eyota and Third Street Southwest just north of Wabasha Street in the town of Plainview, which serves as the...
The Buffalo River State Trail connects the towns of Fairchild and Mondovi along US 10 in scenic central Wisconsin. Although the rail-trail closely follows the Buffalo River, the winding waterway is...
Named in the memory of Arianna Celeste Macnamara, a 7-year old girl who was tragically killed when she was struck by a car while crossing a nearby intersection, the Arianna Celeste Macnamara Memorial...
Located in northwestern Rochester, the White Oaks Trail provides a safe and pleasant connection for residents to access White Oaks Park and the Douglas State Trail, one of the area's premier...
The Lincolnshire Trail is an asphalt pathway that shoots off from the longer Douglas State Trail, providing a short spur that gives cyclists and pedestrians access to the Lincolnshire-Arbor Glen...
A short sidepath trail that runs through a neighborhood in the southern reaches of Rochester, the Hart Farms Trail offers a pleasant asphalt path for local residents. Sharing the roadside with a row...
Running through the Meadow Park neighborhood in southern Rochester, the Meadow Park Bike Path provides a convenient connection for residents of the nearby neighborhoods to reach popular local parks...
Offering nearly 10 miles of paved pathway through Rochester, the Zumbro South Trail serves as both an important transportation route and recreational destination. As the western end of the trail...
The Great River State Trail is named for the Mississippi River, but Ol’ Man River stays mostly out of sight if you follow this 24-mile trail through river marshes, wildlife preserves, hardwood...
The Ridge View Manor Trail is a short trail that branches off from the Douglas State Trail, connecting the popular recreation pathway with growing suburban developments in northwestern Rochester. The...
Running alongside Marion Road in southern Rochester, the Marion Road Bike Path provides an asphalt sidepath trail for cyclists and pedestrians to use - together with the Bear Creek Trail and the...
Running for over two miles over gentle hills, highway exit ramps, and creeks and fields, the 48th Street Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath trail that provides a route for cyclists and pedestrians in...
A suburban sidepath trail that runs along the western edge of Rochester, Minnesota, the West Circle Drive Bike Path provides an important link in the city's expanding trail network. The path runs...
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La Crosse's Marsh Trail Network is a collection of paved and unpaved trails occupying the 1000 acre wetland where the La Crosse River meets the Mississippi River. The marsh, which lies minutes from...
Rochester, Minnesota is home to a whole host of excellent multi-use pathways and trails, giving cyclists and pedestrians ample opportunity to explore the outdoors and get in plenty of safe recreation...
The 40th Street Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath trail that follows its namesake roadway through a lightly developed stretch of southern Rochester, coasting over rolling hills and the edge of woods to...
The Jim Asfoor Trail is a paved hike-and-bike trail within La Crosse's marshlands. The trail is part of the Marsh Trail Network, cluster of paved and unpaved trails occupying the thousand-acre wetland...
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The great thing about Rochester's extensive trail system is that it gives you the best of both words: not only are the trails great for recreation out in nature, they are also convenient for commuters...
Linking some of Rochester's most popular parks and recreation sites, the Cascade Creek Trail follows its namesake creek for over three miles, from Manorwoods Lake and Cascade Lake in the west, to the...
This trail and bike-ped bridge are named for a La Crosse resident and trail lover, whose independent efforts to create a walking path in the 1950s would pave the way for this trail. The hard surface...
One of Wisconsin’s earliest rail-trail conversions, the 14.5-mile Red Cedar State Trail is built on the former corridor of the Red Cedar Junction railway, which served Knapp, Stout & Co. in the...
Located within the wooded acres of Quarry Hill Park, a popular recreation destination in Rochester, the Quarry Hill Family Trail is a flat, paved multi-use trail that serves as a connection in the...
The Badger Hills Bike Path is a suburban sidepath trail that travels along the side of 41st Street and Badger Hills Drive in northern Rochester. While not much to look at, this asphalt pathway...
The Grand Crossing Trail is a north-south trail located in La Crosse's marshlands. The hard-surface trail begins on River Valley Drive and extends south to Myrick Park Drive. The trail offers an...
The Douglas-Cascade Trail extends 2 miles southeast towards downtown Rochester from the southern terminus of the Douglas State Trail. The paved trail, a portion of which follows the former Chicago...
The Buffalo River State Trail connects the towns of Fairchild and Mondovi along US 10 in scenic central Wisconsin. Although the rail-trail closely follows the Buffalo River, the winding waterway is...
The Valleyhigh Road Bike Path is a paved asphalt sidepath trail that provides a short connection between several paths in Rochester's system of multi-use trails. The western end marks the beginning of...
The Great River State Trail is named for the Mississippi River, but Ol’ Man River stays mostly out of sight if you follow this 24-mile trail through river marshes, wildlife preserves, hardwood...
The Douglas State Trail occupies the railbed of the former Chicago Great Western Railway corridor between the cities of Rochester and Pine Island. Several of the concrete obelisk railroad mile markers...
A short sidepath trail that runs through a neighborhood in the southern reaches of Rochester, the Hart Farms Trail offers a pleasant asphalt path for local residents. Sharing the roadside with a row...
Along much of its route, the Root River State Trail follows the winding course of its namesake river for 42 miles through the Minnesota towns of Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford, and...
Offering nearly 10 miles of paved pathway through Rochester, the Zumbro South Trail serves as both an important transportation route and recreational destination. As the western end of the trail...
Offering a pleasant path along the southern side of Cascade Lake, the Cascade Lake Trail allows cyclists and pedestrians to explore the grounds around the lakeshore and Cascade Lake Park, home to a...
The 30.4-mile Chippewa River State Trail kicks off at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers in downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park, where visitors can access a walking labyrinth,...
The 40th Street Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath trail that follows its namesake roadway through a lightly developed stretch of southern Rochester, coasting over rolling hills and the edge of woods to...
The Southern Woods Trail is a short, paved trail that runs through a pretty section of suburban southern Rochester. The trail starts in the north where the 48th Street Bike Path crosses over Willow...
One of Rochester's many suburban sidepath trails, the Overland Drive Trail runs along a roadside near the northern limits of the city. Passing over rolling hills and through the edges of residential...
The East Circle Drive Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath in northern Rochester that helps provide a connection between the John Wellner Memorial Trail and the Zumbro North Trail, two key components of...
La Crosse's Marsh Trail Network is a collection of paved and unpaved trails occupying the 1000 acre wetland where the La Crosse River meets the Mississippi River. The marsh, which lies minutes from...
Traveled 7 miles from Owen Park in Eau Claire south to the Hwy 85 Wayside. Flat and paved well enough to haul our infant in his Burley Bike trailer without too many bumps, not a lot of people once you get outside Eau Claire. A very enjoyable, extremely easy ride. We took our time and completed this 14 mile out and back in about 3 hours. Apart from the beautiful river and woods, highlights for this section include: - Racy’s coffee at Water street is worth stopping at on your way back, around mile marker 1.5 - Mile 3 you’ll cross the river on an old Union Bridge Co bridge and there’s a historical marker at the end about early settlers and trade. - Almost to mile 6 is a historical marker about the town of Porterville. - At mile marker 6 (exactly) you can spot the famous Silver Mine ski jump. Hwy 85 wayside has a historical marker for it but you can’t see it from there.
I rode this 'trail' in the late 1960's, when it was basically a concept trail, and connected with the Sparta-Elroy trail. It actually started at Riverside Park then, on a dirt-gravel trail along the La Crosse River. I see from the trail map, it now starts several miles further, avoiding some highway crossings. At that time, it followed roads, more or less, until it got to the start of the Sparta-Elroy trail. And it was free. I doubt the scenery has changed that much. I have to put in a rating, but what rode then is much different than it is now.
We rode this trail late October and sadly missed most of the color, but the trail did not disappoint. My favorite part is from Peterson to Preston. There was very little traffic, few cross streets, mostly flat, and lots of beautiful views. The section going down to Preston was a little rougher than the Root River trail, but probably our favorite section for views. If you want a delicious meal, eat at Old Village Hall in Lanesboro. It was a little expensive, but some of the best food I've ever had!
We spent a wonderful day on the trail enjoying the beautiful Fall colors. Starting in Sparta we biked the doable 3% upward grade to the .75 mile tunnel 9 miles away. After walking a few hundred feet of the tunnel (bring a flashlight) we flew back downhill to the Depot. We met many friendly people along the way enjoying this last warm Fall day. We will be back to explore another section of this great trail.
The pavement is in great condition, bridges are smooth. Check ahead for business hours if you are visiting on a weekday and want lunch on the trail. We stayed at the Stone Mill Inn in Lanesboro and they have a bike shed available, I recommend them.
9/14/20 with road bikes. Trail has serious issues: very rough bridge approaches (~ 10 bridges), cracks/holes in pavement, washout which created about 18" wide of rideable trail for about 50'. The curves make it difficult to see issues early.
We had a great ride on this trail today. We rode from La Crosse to Sparta and back. 42 miles. There is a tree down about 5 2/3 miles from La Crosse. There is a way around it but it is also pretty buggy there. We thoroughly enjoyed this ride. Trail is in very good shape and very scenic. Since the Elroy Sparta trail is in bad repair, I would highly recommend this trail.
We went yesterday and honestly one of the best trails I’ve ever been on. Beautiful and easy to ride. Love, love, loved it!!!
If you live in the La Crossse area, this is a great trail to experience. It's an easy walk, jog, or bike experience from Onalaska to Trempleau.
However, there are no (MAYBE one) bathroom facilities on this trail. You may be tempted to just jump off trail into the shrubbery only to find out you made a critical mistake: poison ivy.
Be warned, if you start itching get checkout ASAP, don't wait 2 weeks like I did and feel awesome for 3 months.
This trail is an easy 3.5 out of 5 stars. Is there a potential for 4 stars, by all means yes.
Rode from Kendall to Sparta using a shuttle. This hits all tunnels, but required a road detour from closure at Logan Road to Midway Road to get to trail resumption in Wilton. The hills on this detour nearly killed me, but it was incredibly scenic. The tunnels are unmatched in beauty. On a sunny day, it was raining inside the biggest tunnel. Very awesome.
We traversed the trail from Marshland to Onalaska. We split our ride over 2 days. Staying at the Trempealeau Hotel and heading north to Marshland the first day and then south to Onalaska the second. The Trempealeau Hotel was nice. The bar and restaurant were closed the day we stayed there, so more peace and quiet than maybe usual - we loved it.
The owner also was very helpful helping us find restaurants during our trip that complied fully with Covid guidance.
The trail is in excellant shape. Many parts are shaded which is wonderful especially on a 95 degree day! There are NOT a lot of views of the Mississippi River. We biked through Trempealeau and through Perrot State Park which provided beautiful views of the river. There is access back onto the trail in the State Park campgrounds- right before site #87. The trail is bordered by the beauty of nature-trees, marsh, meadows and its quiet-not near any major roads. It does parallel an active railroad in the section south of Trempealeau but that was kind of cool to bike next to a train going by and only one train did. There are many small bridges and one beautiful old railroad tressel bridge not too far south of Trempealeau. Also had a bike repair done at the Trempealeau Driftless Bike N' Bean store that allowed us to continue our adventure. The owner was helpful and friendly. In Onalaska there was a beautiful visitor center and across the street a delightuful place to eat- David Reay's Modern Diner- with outdoor dining and all staff wearing masks. Food was excellant and definately try the cheese curds. The best I have ever had
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