Find the top rated hike trails in Waseca, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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TV Rode this trail from Hopkins to Carver and back, a total of 40.2 miles. While the trail is mostly smooth, it is a mixed bag of Surfaces ranging from brand new asphalt to gravel/dirt. Some of it is perfect, some of it is neglected, cracked and bumpy asphalt with weeds growing up through it. Based upon the name I expected the trail to be more scenic than it was with the first half of the trail running along the light rail line and through industrial and residential areas. The second half wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t very dramatic. If you do decide to ride this trail, I’d recommend using GPS on your cell phone as the signage is lacking and it’s easy to make a wrong turn onto an adjacent trail
This was the first time on this trail for our group of three. We started at the Bryant Lake dog park, which was a nice little ride in itself. The weather was gorgeous, a little cool, but bright and sunny. The trail conditions were good to great. At least half of the leaves were down, which made it great for deer watching. We jumped one massive buck with a huge rack. Then a little further down the trail on the opposite side was another smaller buck. Our trip down the trail brought us to Chaska, On our return trip was when we saw the two younger deer snacking on an “after Halloween” pumpkin. I’d recommend this trail to anyone who’s looking to see a little wildlife. This ride was a perfect “almost” end of season ride
We ride the trail a few times a year. It's gotten so bumpy in places that it's not a comfortable ride anymore. Redwing to Welch bad. Cannon to Welch almost as bad. Could be one of the nicest trails in the state if the surface was overlayed.
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.
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!!!
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