It is often inevitable for hikers to think about the end of the trail, the destination. We focus on the prize, that waterfall, that view. A sign that the miles and blisters were worth it. A single moment to remember. In doing this, we sometimes overlook the beautiful journey we take to reach that moment. These trails in Minnesota are so wonderfully carved through valleys, on cliff edges, and beside rivers and lakes that you can’t help but enjoy every instant that your boots touch the dirt.
- The Superior Hiking Trail.
Flickr/CHRIS DRUMM Consistently regarded as one of the best trails in the country, you can’t miss a single mile of this northern adventure.
- The Upper Cliffline Trail
Flickr/bhs128 For unbeatable views, take this beauty through Blue Mounds State Park.
- Carlton Trail
Flickr/Steve Moses This hike along the St. Louis River at Jay Cooke State Park is unlike any other.
- Prairie Loop
Flickr/Chris At Afton State Park you’ll find 20 miles of MN’s favorite trail near the St. Croix.
- Fifth Falls Trail
Flickr/m01229 This amazing trail at Gooseberry Falls State Park is a lesser walked path with stunning views and even more of the falls we love.
- Mt. Tom Trail
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen Hike to the top of Sibley State Park for an amazing view. *Unfortunately the tower has been closed for maintenance but check to see when it’s open again here http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/index.html.
- Brule River Trail/Superior Hiking Trail
Flickr/Roy Luck A hike along the Brule River to Devil’s Kettle and beyond at Judge C. R. Magney State Park will offer 9 miles of unmatched river scenery.
- Prairie Trail
Flickr/Scott Costello The best trail on Barn Bluff this offers ridge views for the entire hike.
- Circle Trail
Flickr/Brian Jeffery Beggerly Just a quick hike at Pipestone National Monument will provide amazing quarries, amazing quartzite rock formations and Winnewissa Falls!
- Cascades Loop
Flickr/Andy Tinkham Cascade River State Park is packed with amazing falls. This easy loop is great for the whole family!
- Magnetic Rock Trail
Flickr/Eugene Kim This gorgeous hike off the Gunflint Trail is a great way to stretch your legs and test your compasses and magnets!
- The Oberg Mountain Loop
Flickr/Tim Wilson Off the Superior Hiking Trail, this loop has unforgettable views of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake and Moose Mountain.
- King’s Bluff Trail
Flickr/USFWSmidwest Head up into the King’s Bluff SNA at Great River Bluffs State park for unmatched views of the Mississippi River Valley.
- Quarry Loop Trail
Flickr/Ann This scenic hike at Banning State Park gives you awesome views of the Kettle River.
- Eagle Mountain Trail
MisterSquirrel~commonswiki If you’re talking hikes in MN you can’t miss Eagle Mountain, the highest point in Minnesota at 2301 feet (yes this state is flat - we know).
Minnesota is so full of amazing hikes though, you can’t just take our word for it! Go explore for yourself! Find more trails that you love and share them with us on the Only In Minnesota Facebook Page.
Flickr/CHRIS DRUMM
Consistently regarded as one of the best trails in the country, you can’t miss a single mile of this northern adventure.
Flickr/bhs128
For unbeatable views, take this beauty through Blue Mounds State Park.
Flickr/Steve Moses
This hike along the St. Louis River at Jay Cooke State Park is unlike any other.
Flickr/Chris
At Afton State Park you’ll find 20 miles of MN’s favorite trail near the St. Croix.
Flickr/m01229
This amazing trail at Gooseberry Falls State Park is a lesser walked path with stunning views and even more of the falls we love.
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
Hike to the top of Sibley State Park for an amazing view. *Unfortunately the tower has been closed for maintenance but check to see when it’s open again here http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/index.html.
Flickr/Roy Luck
A hike along the Brule River to Devil’s Kettle and beyond at Judge C. R. Magney State Park will offer 9 miles of unmatched river scenery.
Flickr/Scott Costello
The best trail on Barn Bluff this offers ridge views for the entire hike.
Flickr/Brian Jeffery Beggerly
Just a quick hike at Pipestone National Monument will provide amazing quarries, amazing quartzite rock formations and Winnewissa Falls!
Flickr/Andy Tinkham
Cascade River State Park is packed with amazing falls. This easy loop is great for the whole family!
Flickr/Eugene Kim
This gorgeous hike off the Gunflint Trail is a great way to stretch your legs and test your compasses and magnets!
Flickr/Tim Wilson
Off the Superior Hiking Trail, this loop has unforgettable views of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake and Moose Mountain.
Flickr/USFWSmidwest
Head up into the King’s Bluff SNA at Great River Bluffs State park for unmatched views of the Mississippi River Valley.
Flickr/Ann
This scenic hike at Banning State Park gives you awesome views of the Kettle River.
MisterSquirrel~commonswiki
If you’re talking hikes in MN you can’t miss Eagle Mountain, the highest point in Minnesota at 2301 feet (yes this state is flat - we know).
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