Find the top rated walking trails in Owatonna, 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.
_283123_st.jpg)
_0_st.jpg)
_193012_st.jpg)
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.
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!
The trail is an ok ride. Beautiful in some areas but somewhat dangerous; riding in a fair amount of busy traffic, pretty far away from views of the lakes; with no bike route paths. Glad we took the ride, but not sure we would ride it again.
Lots of shade, beautiful landscape. Lots of turns, great views of Albert Lea Lake. Not crowded on a Sunday. A little hilly. Loved it so much. This is one of our favorites!!
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.
This trail is 100% paved, runs through woods, farm fields, along the river and is mostly well maintained. Riding from the beautiful Schaars Bluff regional park to Prescott, WI, having lunch at one of the many places in town and riding back makes a perfect day. It’s not all flat railroad grade however as there are a number of hills, which I personally like for the workout and keep in mind that you have to cross the Mississippi River bridge once you get into Hastings, MN as it is not clearly marked. Once over the bridge, the trail resumes and runs over to Prescott. Fun ride…
Beautiful trail and very well kept. There were only a few patches of bumpy riding, otherwise the asphalt trail was in great condition. Lots of benches to rest at and there were facilities in the town areas. Would definitely recommend this trail!
Trail in great condition until somewhere between Warsaw and Morristown. Big tree down across the path on Saturday after a storm. Beautiful tree canopies and many bench/picnic table pull-offs. Would have liked to see more facilities on the trail.
Just an awesome ride following the Cannon River nearly all the way. Spotted 11 deer (3 of them fawns), 2 swan, 1 eagle and a whole lot beauty along the way. We parked at the trailhead in Cannon Falls and rode short of Red Wing and back for a stunning 20 miles. Highly recommend!!!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
_161405_st.jpg)
_0_st.jpg)
