Ratings of Rail Trails and Bike Paths in Minnesota

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The ratings below have been submitted by visitors who have used the trails listed in Rail Trails in Minnesota. To rate a trail, click on "Rate this Trail" on that trail's listing.

Number of ratings for this region: 25
The latest 20 ratings are listed below

Trail name: Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: July, 2005
Sections that I biked: Entire length
My favourite sections of the trail: Sakatah Lake State Park
Best time to go: Not sure yet
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Poor
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Transitions from woodland flat to rolling agricultural lands, lakes and marshlands.
What I disliked: Trail has some poor sections of buckled pavement, particularly west of Madison Lake. In general, this trail is in need of resurfacing.
Comments: We biked from Faribault to Mankato. We parked at the White Sands lot in Faribault with permission from the City for overnight parking. Had picnic lunch in Elysian under covered shelter at depot. We stayed off the trail in Mankato returned the following day. We took our time, stopping in each town along the way, and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
Submitted by: Tim
from: Eagan, MN
Date submitted: July 5, 2005

Trail name: Red Jacket Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: June, 2005
Sections that I biked: I have bike on the trail Between Mankato to Rapidam to the Le Sueur River and from there up the huge hill towards Mineopa then Back to Mankato.
My favourite sections of the trail: The hill by Mt. Kato and the section between the tunnel and the Le Sueur River.
Best time to go: Summer or Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: Its one of the best trails I have been on and I have bike on many trail all over Minnesota and this one is the best. This is the only trail I have rollerbladed on and it has encouraged me to continue to keep it up.
What I disliked: The twigs that are on the wooded area of the trail. I have tripped on them while roller blading.
Comments: Watch out for the hill towards Minneopa state park from mankato and Rapidam. The hill is huge highly recomend not roller blading it. Biking is great just watch out because you gain a lot of speed. Acctually kept up with cars on the road going 40(for a few seconds even passing it.)
Submitted by: Joe
from: Mankato
Date submitted: June 25, 2005

Trail name: Southwest Regional LRT Trail North Corridor
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: June, 2005
Sections that I biked: Entire Trail
My favourite sections of the trail: Eden Prairie - Hopkins
Best time to go: Summer and Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Get away from city... its like your in the woods. Flat, well groomed
What I disliked:
Comments:
Submitted by:
from: Eden Prairie
Date submitted: June 24, 2005

Trail name: Red Jacket Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Apr, 2005
Sections that I biked:
My favourite sections of the trail: Very end at Rapidan with the big clearing and farm; train trussel; coming back from rapidan afer the tunnel and coming out of the trees with mt. kato on your right. Lots of speed, very fun.
Best time to go: spring, summer, fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: scenery, length and the versitiliy of the ride
What I disliked: narrow/busy at some parts
Comments:
Submitted by:
from: Mankato MN
Date submitted: April 7, 2005

Trail name: Southwest Regional LRT Trail North Corridor
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Sept, 2004
Sections that I biked: Valley View Road in Eden Prairie to Uptown.
My favourite sections of the trail: The paved section between Hopkins and Minneapolis is really fast. The Depot Coffeehouse in Hopkins has a good rest area where you can watch train activity and trucks coming in and out of the SuperValu warehouse.
Best time to go: Anytime
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Trail is flat, straight and very fast. Very uncrowded west of Hopkins, even on nice days.
What I disliked: No mile markers.
Comments: I use the trail as a commuter option from work in Eden Prairie to my apartment in Minneapolis 3-4 times a week. I can get home in about 55 minutes, which usually beats the bus! The city bought the whole rail corridor for light rail expansion but everything moves real slow in Minnesota so this trail will be open for many years to come.
Submitted by: John Liemandt
from: Minneapolis, MN
Date submitted: Sept 25, 2004

Trail name: Douglas State Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Sept, 2004
Sections that I biked: All, absolutely beautiful and well kept.
My favourite sections of the trail: All areas are beautiful.
Best time to go: In the fall it is very pretty.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: The scenery is great, nice wide trails.
What I disliked: Someone had let a couple of dogs go stray on the trail.
Comments:
Submitted by: JLS
from: Rochester MN
Date submitted: Sept 19, 2004

Trail name: Root River State Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: August, 2003
Sections that I biked: We have biked most of the west end of the trail.
My favourite sections of the trail:
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked:
What I disliked:
Comments:
Submitted by: de
from: st. louis, mo.
Date submitted: Aug 5, 2004

Trail name: Cannon Valley Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: July, 2004
Sections that I biked: red wing to welch village
My favourite sections of the trail: mile12 to 16
Best time to go: anytime will be enjoyable
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: speed along for excercise or enjoy the scenery this is a good trail. slow inclines, water 1/2 way or ice cream at welch
What I disliked: at redwing a big you are here and how far things are would help me, my wife was fine but she always thinks that way wouldn't care if it was the wrong way if she was having fun
Comments: I say hi to people and on this trail they said hi to me first as they passed good family or side by side conversational ride but the good visability, trail condition, inclines and people shifting to give you max room really lends itself to a speed workout welch village ice cream shop is just on the other side of the bridge at the park stop, they have bottled water juice and such. campground between welch and cannon falls.
Submitted by: Kevin
from: minneapolis, mn
Date submitted: July 17, 2004

Trail name: Gateway State Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: July, 2003
Sections that I biked: Full length of the trail.
My favourite sections of the trail: The entire trail is outstanding. It is a very old rail right of way and is, essentially, a linear state park complete with dense forest, wetland preservation efforts, prairie. Through the trees can be seen golf courses sometimes, homes other times. North of SR 36 one has left the metro area and the trail now passes a number of beautiful lakes. Plans are to extend the trail so that it provides a continuous dedicated trail link to Duluth. Parking and convenience stations are located along the trail. A parallel trail provides opportunities for horseback riders and mountain bikers. Pedestrian use is heavy south of SR 36 and bikers are expected to yield to pedestrians. The trail is 10 feet wide.
Best time to go: Spring, summer, fall. Beautiful in the fall.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: This trail is a link between the inner city core of St. Paul and rural Washington County where a plethora of biking opportunities exist. While much of the scenery is remarkable for an urban, suburban setting, it's not drop dead beautiful.
What I disliked: While busy streets are traversed by bridge, residential and rural crossings are at grade requiring stops. North of SR 36 this is less of a problem.
Comments: Stillwater, while off-trail, is accessible by good bike routes as is the St. Croix River. Stillwater is an old river town with many nice restaurants and quaint shops. Rural Wisconsin is just across the St. Croix. The Gateway Trail anchors in St. Paul and two county operated commuter/recreation trails. With a little on-street riding it is possible to access the Twin Cities vast network of dedicated trails or on-street right-of-ways.
Submitted by: P. Sheehy
from: St. Paul, Minnesota
Date submitted: April 4, 2004

Trail name: Red Jacket Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Sept, 2003
Sections that I biked: West Mankato to Red Jacket Bridge
My favourite sections of the trail: Red Jacket Bridge
Best time to go: fall
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 2.5 stars
What I liked: Nice scenery - easy trail for families
What I disliked: Why isn't there a rest shelter at the parking area by Mt. Kato? Also, lots of doggie doo-doo along side of trail - especially noticeable in winter when walking
Comments: Eat at the Peddler in Rapidan - please stop at all stop signs - there seems to be a lot of traffic on roads and streets and we noticed several people biking right across them without stopping or looking.
Submitted by: rmj
from: mankato, mn
Date submitted: Jan 19, 2004

Trail name: Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Sept, 2003
Sections that I biked: End to end
My favourite sections of the trail: From Waterville to Morristown, especially through Sakatah State Park
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Wonderful open prairie trail. Very few hills.
What I disliked: Could use resurfacing. Potholes on a small stretch near Eagle Lake. You may want to skip this trail if you in-line skate. For inline skaters, the Red Jacket Trail (Mankato to Rapidan) is much better.
Comments: Trail is easy to bike. The only major hill on it is the first mile of it at Mankato. Asphalt is showing its age, but still works fine for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Submitted by: PMM
from: Mankato, MN
Date submitted: Sept 18, 2003

Trail name: Mesabi Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: August, 2003
Sections that I biked: Eveleth to Virginia, Virginia to Calumet
My favourite sections of the trail: Eveleth to Gilbert, The view of Lake Ore-be-gone from the trail is breathtaking
Best time to go: summer
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: The smooth pavement, and the way the trail twists and bends makes it interesting
What I disliked: Graffiti on the beautiful cliffs on the sides of the trail between gilbert and Virginia.
Comments:
Submitted by:
from: Eveleth
Date submitted: Sept 5, 2003

Trail name: Southwest Regional LRT Trail North Corridor
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: July, 2002
Sections that I biked: Hopkins to Minneapolis Lakes and Hopkins to Highway 5. The trail was closed at Highway 5 at the time due to highway construction.
My favourite sections of the trail: In Minnetonka by Shady Oak lake. The section in Eden Prairie that goes past the Historic Smith Douglas MOre house that has a Dunn Brother Coffee shop 200 yards north of the trail.
Best time to go: Anytime but the fall colors are terrific
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 3.5 stars
What I liked: The grade :) This area is VERY hilly but this trail follows an old rail line and is relatively flat. Less than 5% grade.
What I disliked: Rock base
Comments: The trail does end at
Submitted by: Gregg BH
from: Eden Prairie, MN
Date submitted: July 14, 2003

Trail name: Red Jacket Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: July, 2000
Sections that I biked: End-to-end
My favourite sections of the trail: The trellis
Best time to go: Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: Great scenery, well maintained easy to ride
What I disliked: On the short side, not hooked up with many other trails
Comments: Eat at the Peddler in Rapidan
Submitted by: JMD
from: MN
Date submitted: May 21, 2003

Trail name: Willard Munger State Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: July, 1999
Sections that I biked: Jay Cooke State Park to Duluth
My favourite sections of the trail: Jay Cooke State Park to Duluth
Best time to go: summer, fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: scenery, The trail is neat when you go through the neighborhoods in West Duluth.
What I disliked:
Comments:
Submitted by: JC
from: Mankato, MN
Date submitted: Feb 26, 2003

Trail name: Paul Bunyan Trail
Number of times that I have used the trail: Once
Date of my last visit: August,
Sections of the trail that I covered: We just found out about it & tried it out by going about 6 miles north. We will be back to go agin!!!
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: na
Favourite sections: It is beautiful the whole route & there are lots of places to stop & check out the scenery.
Comments: We were biking but I hope to rollerblade on it soon. Walker has a lot of interesting shops to visit, and Cass Lake has some unique places to see too.
Submitted by: N.J.H.
from: Bemidji MN
Date submitted: Aug 13, 2002

Trail name: Heartland State Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: July, 2002
Sections that I biked: From Park Rapids to Dorest, and from Nevis to Dorset, and from Walker about 2 miles (so far).
My favourite sections of the trail: The whole trail has its nice points !!!
Best time to go: anytime !!
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: na
Likes and dislikes: The trail is beautiful, & it is a great trail to take kids along with - very safe!!
Comments: Dorset has our favorite stopping point for great icecream!!
Submitted by: N. J. H.
from: Bemidji MN
Date submitted: Aug 13, 2002

Trail name: Luce Line State Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: June, 2002
Sections that I biked: Plymouth to Watertown and return.
My favourite sections of the trail: Stubbs Bay to Watertown
Best time to go: Anytime. Weekdays have less traffic.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 3.5 stars
Likes and dislikes: Crowded on weekends from Plymouth to Stubbs Bay. Reasonably shaded from Stubbs bay to Watertown. Scenery is OK.
Comments:
Submitted by: ECJ
from: Shoreview MN
Date submitted: July 9, 2002

Trail name: Douglas State Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: July, 1999
Sections that I biked: Pine Island to Rochester and back
My favourite sections of the trail: All
Best time to go: Anytime
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 2.5 stars
Likes and dislikes: OK Scenery, not spectacular. Saw quite a few bluebirds. Not many other people on trail.
Comments:
Submitted by: ECJ
from: Shoreview MN
Date submitted: July 9, 2002

Trail name: Root River State Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Sept, 2001
Sections that I biked: All.
My favourite sections of the trail: Lanesboro to Houstin.
Best time to go: Anytime
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
Likes and dislikes: Mostly shaded. Good Scenery.
Comments: Westernmost 4 miles are upward grade towards Fountain.
Submitted by: ECJ
from: Shoreview MN
Date submitted: July 9, 2002

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