Find the top rated walking trails in Apple Valley, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail begins in the vicinity of Eighth Avenue North in downtown Hopkins, just a few blocks north of the eastern endpoint of the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional...
Although short, the River Bend Trail provides access to a recreational gem, the River Bend Nature Center, a 750-acre park with woodlands, prairie, rivers, and ponds. Along the way, the paved trail...
Although only 1 mile long, the Dinkytown Greenway provides an important link in a biking network connecting Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The trail begins near TCF Bank Stadium and runs through the...
The Batchelder Trail is a local walking and biking path in Faribault, Minnesota, a city south of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. The asphalt trail starts on Park Avenue and winds behind a residential...
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...
The Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail runs southwest from the Minneapolis suburb of Hopkins to Carver Bluffs Parkway and Carver Creek Circle. The trail is over 19 miles in length and occupies...
The Indian Mounds Trail runs through the regional park located atop the Mississippi's eastern bluffs, with a fabulous view of Downtown St. Paul & the Mississippi River. This is one of the few places...
The developing Swedish Immigrant Trail will one day span 22 miles from Taylors Falls on the banks of the St. Croix River to the central Minnesota town of Wyoming. The paved trail will run east-west...
Medicine Lake Regional Trail offers a plethora of experiences along its nearly 16-mile length. Kicking off in the Elm Creek Park Reserve in the north, the trail cuts a swath through the Maple Grove...
Sections of the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, which extends westward from the Minneapolis suburbs situated along Lake Minnetonka, have been opening since June 2009. The trail occupies the former Dakota...
The Goodhue Pioneer State Trail is a work in progress as part of a planned 47-mile trail linking the cities of Red Wing, Goodhue, Zumbrota, Mazeppa, Bellechester, and Pine Island along an inactive...
This north-south path runs alongside McKnight Road on the border of St. Paul and Maplewood. Starting on Larpenteur Avenue, this blacktop path travels past residential neighborhoods and shopping...
The Vermillion River Regional Greenway offers a beautiful, paved loop in the riverfront city of Hastings, which lies on the banks of the Mississippi in southeastern Minnesota. Highlights of the...
This paved trail links Minneapolis’s Warehouse District to both the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail and the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail in Hopkins. It also intersects the Kenilworth Trail...
Minnehaha Trail connects two popular parks in the Twin Cities as it follows Minnehaha Creek through a corridor that is a mix of woodland and open areas. It is sometimes referred to as Minnehaha Creek...
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The Gateway State Trail is an 18.3-mile-long segment of the Willard Munger State Trail that offers an urban link to the countryside. The western end of this paved trail begins on the north end of...
The St. Paul Grand Round is a 26-mile route encircling Minnesota's capital. The loop was designed by Horace Cleveland, the landscape architect who also designed the Grand Rounds in neighboring...
The Cedar Lake Light Rail Transit (LRT) Regional Trail is an integral component of Hennepin County’s extensive trail network, in which rail-trails feature prominently. The trail directly links four...
Highway 96 Regional Trail parallels the roadway of the same name. The trail crosses Ramsey county, traveling west from White Bear Lake to New Brighton. The scenery alternates between residential and...
The West River Parkway Trail, also known as the Mississippi River Gorge Regional Trail, extends between Plymouth Avenue North opposite Boom Island and Ford Parkway in Minnehaha Regional Park, where...
Minnehaha Trail connects two popular parks in the Twin Cities as it follows Minnehaha Creek through a corridor that is a mix of woodland and open areas. It is sometimes referred to as Minnehaha Creek...
As of spring 2016, bridge access to the Minnesota Valley State Trail was still closed at Memorial Park in Shako-pee until further notice. Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website...
Although only stretching a half mile, the paved Red Wing Riverfront Trail, which opened in 2016, offers an important connection between two parks along the Mississippi River in the charming community...
The Goodhue Pioneer State Trail is a work in progress as part of a planned 47-mile trail linking the cities of Red Wing, Goodhue, Zumbrota, Mazeppa, Bellechester, and Pine Island along an inactive...
The Great Northern Trail offers a paved north-south route across the city of Elk River on the fringe of the northwestern outskirts of Minneapolis. For nearly 5 miles, the rail-trail winds through the...
The Gateway State Trail is an 18.3-mile-long segment of the Willard Munger State Trail that offers an urban link to the countryside. The western end of this paved trail begins on the north end of...
Although short, the River Bend Trail provides access to a recreational gem, the River Bend Nature Center, a 750-acre park with woodlands, prairie, rivers, and ponds. Along the way, the paved trail...
The Hudson to Lakeland/Afton Trail begins at Buckeye Street in Hudson, Wisconsin, not far from the eastern bank of the St. Croix River. The paved trail parallels 2nd Street, heading south through...
The developing Swedish Immigrant Trail will one day span 22 miles from Taylors Falls on the banks of the St. Croix River to the central Minnesota town of Wyoming. The paved trail will run east-west...
The Big Rivers Regional Trail runs along the upper portion of what was originally a two-tiered section of railroad track built for one of the state’s oldest lines, the Minnesota Central Railroad. At...
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Rush Creek Regional Trail stretches 9.6 miles across forests and farmland, offering a convenient connection to some of Hennepin County’s most interesting parks. The path is smooth, wide and mostly...
The Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail begins in the vicinity of Eighth Avenue North in downtown Hopkins, just a few blocks north of the eastern endpoint of the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional...
Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail contributes 7 miles to the Twin Cities’ extensive network of regional trails. The paved path is 10-foot wide, providing room for a variety of trail users...
Highway 96 Regional Trail parallels the roadway of the same name. The trail crosses Ramsey county, traveling west from White Bear Lake to New Brighton. The scenery alternates between residential and...
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The Wilderness Trail is located along an active BNSF railway line in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The trail connects users to the Bunker Hills Regional Park on the north side, while it meets the Sand Creek...
The Johnson Parkway Regional Trail is a long overdue offroad bike trail that is now an integral part of St. Paul's Grand Round. Most of the trail runs through residential areas of St. Paul's East...
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This Mississippi River Regional Trail running through eastern Dakota County is a segment of a larger regional trail system that is itself part of the National Park Service’s Mississippi National River...
The Cedar Lake Light Rail Transit (LRT) Regional Trail is an integral component of Hennepin County’s extensive trail network, in which rail-trails feature prominently. The trail directly links four...
When complete, the Great Northern Greenway will provide a seamless non-motorized connection between north and northeast Minneapolis across the Mississippi River The trail passes through thriving,...
The Hardwood Creek Regional Trail is actually two parallel trails running along US 61 in rural Washington County. The paved trail is open for biking, walking, running, and in-line skating, while the...
Unlike its name would suggest, Nine Mile Creek is actually 15 miles from its headwaters at Minnetog Lake to the Minnesota River. This regional trail was constructed to meander alongside the creek as...
Closure notice: Beginning Tuesday, May 26, a 6 mile portion of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail will be closed for reconstruction. The portion of trail affected by this closure is from 5th St. NW...
At the heart of Minneapolis’ world class trail system is the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a series of interconnected parks and parkways that loop around the city, acting as a key connector to the entire...
The Rice Creek North Regional Trail serves multiple purposes: it’s a connector, running through the two counties (Anoka and Ramsey) and five cities: Lino Lakes, Circle Pines, Blaine, Shoreview and...
The Rice Creek West Regional Trail travels the final five miles of the creek’s 46-mile journey to the Mississippi River. The trail connects the residents living along its length to creek’s rich...
When complete, the Great Northern Greenway will provide a seamless non-motorized connection between north and northeast Minneapolis across the Mississippi River The trail passes through thriving,...
The Indian Mounds Trail runs through the regional park located atop the Mississippi's eastern bluffs, with a fabulous view of Downtown St. Paul & the Mississippi River. This is one of the few places...
The Northern Link Trail provides a pleasant walking and biking experience in Faribault County. The hard surface trail forms a V-shape, starting at the Two Rivers Park parking area in the east and...
The Johnson Parkway Regional Trail is a long overdue offroad bike trail that is now an integral part of St. Paul's Grand Round. Most of the trail runs through residential areas of St. Paul's East...
The Gateway State Trail is an 18.3-mile-long segment of the Willard Munger State Trail that offers an urban link to the countryside. The western end of this paved trail begins on the north end of...
The Minneapolis Diagonal Trail (also known as the Northeast Diagonal Trail) is primarily a commuter route offering grade-separated crossings of Interstate 35W. The trail links an industrial area north...
Largely constructed on a former rail corridor running north/south out of the city of Waseca, the Loon Lake Trail is a short but sweet trail that provides residents with off-road access to important...
Located in the Minneapolis suburb of Eden Prairie, Bryant Lake Regional Park offers 2.2 miles of immaculate paved trail cutting a swathe through grassy fields, shady woodlands and wetlands. The trail...
The Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail begins in the vicinity of Eighth Avenue North in downtown Hopkins, just a few blocks north of the eastern endpoint of the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional...
The West Medicine Lake is a 2.7-mile paved non-motorized pathway connecting two major regional trails: the Medicine Lake Regional Trail in Minneapolis and the Luce Line Trail in Plymouth. The trail...
The Elm Creek Park Reserve is an outdoor lovers’ dream. At 4,900 acres, it’s the largest park in Hennepin County. The park provides enough amenities to keep people coming all year round. Cyclists...
The Cologne Community Trail meanders from the south to the north of the city of Cologne linking residents to important civic and recreational destinations in their community. The asphalt recreational...
Sections of the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, which extends westward from the Minneapolis suburbs situated along Lake Minnetonka, have been opening since June 2009. The trail occupies the former Dakota...
The Twin Lakes Regional Trail provides a conduit for both recreation and commuting between Brooklyn Center and Robbinsdale. This urban trail begins in the commercial area of Brooklyn Center, splitting...
Although only stretching a half mile, the paved Red Wing Riverfront Trail, which opened in 2016, offers an important connection between two parks along the Mississippi River in the charming community...
straight and wide. it ends up by kwik trip on the north end which is good and on us 61 which sucks. other reviews say the trail is smooth. it is not. st paul trails are generally poorly cared for. the cracks are occasionally filled with tar but not filler so the bumps remain. contacting the city is worthless. they simply reply that your email has been forwarded to the responsible department.
The trail path is in excellent condition, no bumps or potholes. The terrain is level, the path is straight. A nice trail to just ride and enjoy being outside and riding.
Very pleasant ride connecting Hastings, MN and Prescott, WI. Trail surface is in excellent condition.
I chose to ride Elm Creek expecting a great ride. It was so beautiful. I TrueType enjoyed the nicely maintained paved paths thru woodlands, meadows, lakes, and low land areas. Would I go again? In a heart beat. Tom
Great trail for biking but watch for hidden driveways.
The whole family enjoyed this historic and scenic walk.
My young son and I biked this trail and it was a great ride.
It starts at the old Zephr train site and veers through the hills north of Stillwater.
The trail's incline is super deceptive. We biked about 5-6 miles out and thought we were going pretty slow, but we were slowly going up the hills in the area. On the way back it took us about half the time as we flew down the hills. We barely had to pedal most of it until we got back to the old train site.
During your ride/walk/run, there's plenty of spots to stop to take in the scenery as there's lots of creeks and foliage. The trail felt busy for a Sunday morning, but people are respective. This trail is definitely worth your time.
We rode from Bryn Mawr to M Falls and back. 28 miles. Stopped at Bread and Pickles for late lunch. It’s a really nice trail but the constant roots were so annoying. Ugh!
The trail requires crossing an active rail way track. No legal crossing. Not sure this is safe
The 51m is a bit misleading.
I started at the Franklin Bridge east bank road north on the East River Rd through the University Of Minnesota on a Family Friendly Trail (FFT). When go under the Washington Ave Bridge the trail is blocked and actually disappears so you riding Road Without Lane (RWOL) but stay on the East River Rd and you will see a sign for the Dinkytown Greenway (DTG), left down the hill then right onto DTG which is FFT. Ride the DTG and take the 1st right turn up to 5th St SE and right again where you ride on Sidewalk back to 15th Ave. SE where you turn right. 15th Ave SE is Road With Barrier (RWB) even though the barrier are vertical rubber tubes it is better then nothing. The barrier goes away at Rollins and the remainder of 15th Ave. SE is Road With Lane (RWL) and ends at Como Ave. Turn right onto Como two blocks on a RWL turning Left onto 18th Ave. SE here is becomes RWB. This street becomes Stinson Blvd at Hennepin Ave becoming a FFT and continues this way unto New Brighton Blvd. From here and until you reach St. Anthony Parkway you can choose to ride narrow pedestrian sidewalks or RWOL. The trail should run down the center median since that median is too narrow for any other use. Essentially this is what can be used as the missing link trail to complete the Grand Rounds.
Once on St. Anthony Pkwy you return to a FFT. When the trail reaches Central Ave which is a dangerous intersection, made worst because bikers must switch from the northside of the Pkwy to the southside. Otherwise the FFT runs until it reaches 42nd St Bridge where there is construction of the trail to go under the bridge which likely will be done by end of summer but for now you must cross the street.
The 42nd St Bridge however is very narrow, side by side will be difficult and opposing bike and any pedestrian traffic makes it harder. Once on the westside but still on the bridge there is a ramp into the park below. This route may be chosen instead of trying to cross traffic on Lyndale. At the bottom of the ramp turn left make an "S" to next trail turn right then straight over the creek bridge with an immediate left turn stay left under I94 and Lyndale pass the falls and then there is a 20ft dirt trail getting back on the main bike way, FFT this is the Webber Pkwy segment. Another switch from the northside of the pkwy to the southside occurs at Fremont & 45th and ends at Humboldt at the Webber Library.
At Humboldt The Victory Memorial Parkway begins and stays a FFT. Following this route I am mentioning at the main monument celebrating the Veterans Of WW1 is the 10 mile mark, This entire segment is very straight and flat.
The trail connects with the Theodore Wirth Pkwy. At this point next to North Memorial Hospital there is correctly bridge construction going on.
If you are riding the trail in the direction I am noting, when you reach N 29th Ave, keep right go downhill this is the correct way. If you take what appears to be the obvious route along the Parkway you find out your wrong, Beware! Otherwise the FFT is obviously has no trouble just stay on trail. the Wirth Pkwy is Rolling and twisting segment one of the best around. When you reach the bridge over I394 you covered 15m.
When you reach the Cedar Lake Rd and Cedar Parkway split you much cross the street at the light which a very tight, narrow and heavily traveled intersection. You follow the parkway along Cedar Lake FFT is mostly flat section of the trail which takes you to Dean Parkway an FFT to Lake Calhoun. The crossing at Lake St can be dangerous, Take care when crossing.
The Lake Calhoun Trail is one way clockwise so once you cross you must turn left. This area is also rather flat until you reach William Berry Trail is short and rolling then you connect with the Lake Harriett Trail which is also one way clockwise so again you go left. This segment is also rather flat. When you reach the Minnehaha Parkway you have trailed 20.5 miles.
Once on the Minnehaha Trail you are briefly on a RWL on W. Minnehaha Parkway back into a FFT and stays that way throughout the Minnehaha segment which may be the most fund section curvy with hills passing can be difficult in this stretch, Beware at the Cedar Ave crossing! The Bike trail leaves the Parkway and follows the creek instead again this is a fun curvy stretch. If you stay on the Pkwy it is RWOL or narrow pedestrian sidewalks. The Creek trail returns to the Pkwy just before it reaches Minnehaha Park. There the FFT follows Godfrey Parkway and then continues on as the East Mississippi Rd Trail. When you reach the Midtown Green trail and RR Bridge you are 30m continue on and cross the river on Franklin Bridge and you gone 31miles.
Great paved trail with mile markers to either go for a quick mile or two or a full rollerblade workout! Dog friendly and a beautiful scenery!
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