Find the top rated walking trails in Waseca, 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.
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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.
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!!!
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.
Trail is in very bad shape, especially from red wing to Welch. Not sure where the wheel pass money is going. Definitely not worth paying for.
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!
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