Find the top rated hiking trails in Rochester, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Being from the Twin Cities, I still try to hit this trail once a year. I like it a lot. But even on a Wednesday, the trail can get very busy with walkers, runners and other cyclists especially at the Rochester end.
We rode from Faribault trailhead on 8/31/24. There had just been a storm the week before so there were trees down the first few miles but we took streets to get around it. There was a section closed like the reviewer said before me but you can go around this too on the road by the lake. This trail is flat and wide. Fun to stop in Waterville for lunch half way at the Corner Bar and sat outside.
Rode Mankato to Fairabault. Around mile 35 part of the trail had collapsed, but people were still getting through. Overall trail was in excellent shape, except for one area in the State Park and another just west of that. We were on road bikes and loved the trail.
Really enjoyed the trail. Did the entire ride, east to west. Trail was in very good shape.
First time on this trail Sunday morning 8/10/2024. Rode from Hyatt Rochester to Pine Island and back. Started at 6:30am, got to Pine Island at 7:45am (Bathrooms were locked, which I expected being early). Took a short break and went back to the Hyatt for breakfast. Done around 9:05am.
Conditions of the asphalt are pretty decent. I like that the crossings are well marked and clear (of trees and bushes) and visible. One downed tree a couple miles from Pine Island that I had to dismount and carry over. Other than that, no stopping which is really nice.
Nothing spectacular, but a really nice morning ride! I'd probably give it 5 stars if it wasn't so thick on the tree line that you really can't see any of the scenery, but that has the benefit of 95% shade on those sunny hot days.... Probably only saw 25-30 ppl on the trail both directions combined.
Rode from Houston to Fountain on Saturday 8/3/2024 as part of a one way ride that started in Houston Mn and ended at Niagara Cave, so I combo'd the Root River State Trail w/ the Harmony-Preston State Trail and a little open road riding at the end to total just over 70 miles.
I love that from Houston to Fountain to Preston, this route was tree covered for like 80% of the time I'd estimate. That was really nice. I had a very low humidity day for my ride, but it was a 0 cloud day, so the sun would cook you. But you are very much isolated from it here.
I was dropped off at Houston, Mn trailhead at 8am. The first part of the trail out of Houston, has a bit of packed dirt and sand in areas on top of the asphalt, through Rushford. Other than that, this trail is pristine up to Fountain. You just have to watch out for the occasional rough bridge transition and that's about it, hardly any holes or cracks or anything. (few bumps and cracks from the split down to Preston, a very small section) I only saw 3 people Houston through Rushford over those many miles. Then hundreds of ppl on the trail from Rushford to past Lanesboro, but it never ever felt crowded at all. Just a consistent 10-25ppl per mile. Then, Probably only a dozen or so ppl both directions from the split to Fountain and back to the split (very sparse over those 6 miles up and 6 miles back). One tree down in that segment to Fountain, but no big deal, just dismount and carry over.
My first stop was in Lanesboro (Rushford was closed when I passed it just after 9am), and the restrooms there right off the trail are air conditioned and super nice, with many bike racks and water fountain, and shade. Second stop in Fountain, after a fairly slow 6 mile climb up to Fountain. Restroom there and water fountain as well. Coasted back down towards Preston and stopped there. Also, nice restroom and water bottle filling station inside. Benches w/ shade.
Highly recommend from Rushford on to Fountain. Skip the Rushford to Houston section if you don't want to get your bike dirty/dusty. :)
Rode from Preston to Harmony on Saturday 8/3/2024 as part of a one way ride that started in Houston Mn and ended at Niagara Cave, so I was a bit tired already having ridden 50 miles that morning, when starting this trail around 1pm. I enjoyed it, but it is starting show wear and tear w/ a significant amount of larger cracks. I did have a little extra weight in my bags of my trekking bike w/ water and spare tires and tools, so the cracks maybe worse than if you are lighter. I have 700x35 tires. And I was a little worried about busting up my back wheel w/ how big some of the cracks were. (hard to see some of them coming). I did dismount and walk up a part of the single longest and steepest climbs. (good excuse to take a water break).
Keep in mind Harmony is 400' higher elevation than Preston, so Preston to Harmony is going to be significantly more uphill.
After a mile or two out of Preston, I only saw one other couple riding e-bikes. So not another soul for 10 miles. (this was on a mild 80 degree low humidity Saturday afternoon in middle of summer). Also, T-Mobile service had a gap for me between the two towns. And while in that cell service gap, you are locked in on the trail, w/ no road intersect/exit for like 3.5 miles.
For me, once is enough on this trail.... I would go do it again if it was repaved or repaired. Mountain bike tires or fat tires would be much more enjoyable.
We started at Rose creek and went to Adams (first part of the trail from I90 to Rose Creek is right next to Hiway 56)the first couple of miles the weeds were hanging over the trail and weeds growing up in All the cracks it was not worth the drive to Austin. I wouldn’t recommend this trail until some major maintenance is done.
Paul N.
We rode from Welch into cannon falls. Took about an hour and stopped at the winery for some flatbread and wine then rode back. Great day. We were able to ride side by side most of the way and the trail was smooth and mostly flat and mostly shaded.
Only did about 11 miles round trip from Houston. Very rural and scenic with river views, hills, fields and heavy tree overgrowth. I would love to do the entire journey. That is for next time!!!
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