Find the top rated birding trails in Waseca, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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!!!
We rode 1/2 way to LeRoy from Austin end. Just over 10miles. Parked our car at a gas station that’s there and took our electric scooters! Weather was beautiful and in the 80s but we were not too hot. The trail was boring and followed the road. Straight most of the time. Weeds are growing into the trail and the asphalt needs repair. Lots and lots of cracks! We had a good time but we won’t go again.
We hit the Empire Township Trail at the Spruce St entrance (at the back of the parking lot by the hockey rink), in the evening. We were riding our bikes. The trail is not great for bikes at all anymore. The pavement is creased and hole-y, causing a tooth-rattling ride. We only rode to the DQ on Hwy 3 and then elected to take city streets back. It was a bit over 4 miles round trip that way. I went back to the Empire Township Trail in Farmington, MN this morning, on foot and with my dog. It is a pleasant walking trail, though there are areas that are hidden away from public view and could be a security risk (there was a male dressed all in black in the bushes as I walked by. I assume public urination was the reason). The trail could be improved with more lighting and maybe a public emergency call box or two. But all in all it's a nice trail with abundant birds.
We had a beautiful ride for about 12 miles on this trail!
Great for beginners and families...wonderfully maintained.
Love this trail from Shakopee to Chaska but was impassable in the middle due to unannounced construction. Hard stop with pavement being ground into think sand. Would have been nice to put up notice at key entry points to trail.
Although having lived in the area for years, I've never used any part of this trail. I ran it from Belle Plaine to Memorial Park in Shakopee in November. I should note that this fall season has had little rain and has been on the warm side. Around 50 degrees when I ran it. So trail conditions can vary wildly.
There were a few spots with standing water near the Belle Plaine side, all easily avoidable. There is also a length of sand, probably pushing a mile overall, around the Jordan area. This section was tough to run due to the horses making ruts in the sand. I would guess a bike would need to be pushed through some of this. Other than the sand, this trail was great and totally runnable. The brush and grass had been cut and no trees or branches on the trail.
Something I wasn't aware of, from Chaska to Shakopee, the trail is paved.
Please put this trail on your to do list. Faribault to Mankato is 39 miles of scenic trails and small villages that have embraced the trail. The only down side is the underwhelming trail head in Mankato (no services) other than parking.
It’s the trail transition on Hwy 62 that had been my problem.
Finally rode from Hopkins to Chaska, I’ve been on trail a few times before but keep getting off the trail. Very poor signage at the tricky trail changes. I’m speaking particularly of bridge on Hwy 212. That being said now that I’ve from figured it out thanks to TrailLink. I will definitely ride again. Yes there are short sections that you ride along a busy highway, but the majority is wooded and very scenic. The crushed rock is very hard packed so easier to ride than some crushed rock trails.
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