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| A rider travels over the Arcola Bridge on the Dakota Rail Trail. Image courtesy Three Rivers Park District. |
Follow the route taken by millions of bushels of wheat and grain, as they journeyed from Great Plains farms toward the flour milling centers in Minneapolis.
The flat trail takes you through communities bordering Lake Minnetonka and beyond. As you approach Wayzata you'll be teased by glimpses of sparkling water, which expand to panoramic views of the legendary lake. Except for the sound of your footsteps or clicking gears of your bicycle, you will hear the breeze blowing through cattails and willows. And those smells you can't quite identify? That's the scent of escape.
This 13.5-mile trail offers a spectacular view of Lake Minnetonka and follows the route of the former Dakota Rail Corridor through St. Bonifacius, Minnetrista, Mound, Spring Park, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, and Wayzata.
The Dakota Bike Trail is appropriate for hiking, biking, and dog walking.
are the bridges open over 7 and 92 yet.
ReplyDeleteHow is this trail for roller blading? Is it hilly?
ReplyDeleteIt is perfect for roller blading. The only rough spots are on the bridges.
DeleteWe absolutely love the Dakota Raid Trail. I walk my 2 standard poodles on it daily. The person with the roller blading question - I would think it is perfect as it is not hilly. See you on the trail. Nancy
ReplyDeleteHow many miles between St Boni & Gale Woods Farm area? Also, how many miles between St. Boni & the Mayer Trailhead? Good places to have a small group picnic on either of these sections?
ReplyDeleteAny plans to connect the Dakota Trail to Carver Park and the LRT trail on the south side of Minnetonka? I frequently ride that loop using Hwy 7 to connect between the trails.
ReplyDeletewill the existing dakota trail ever become a path for the light rail system... I heard this once and can't find anything pointing to it being true. I am looking at a house along the trail which would be COOL... but not if it ever becomes a lightrail track.
ReplyDeleteThe signs in Wayzata indicate the corridor was obtained for the purpose of light rail, and that the bike path is an interim use...
ReplyDeleteWhat is up with the 2000 ft section of the trail between St Boni and Mayer that isn't paved? It seems odd to have paved trail, then a short stint of dirt, and then paved again. Will this small section ever be paved?
ReplyDeleteWe biked from Wayzata to St. Boni and back on Father's Day. We had a snack at a Bistro in St. Boni and had an early dinner on the deck at Lord Fletcher's which is only 1/4 mile off the trail. It was a wonderful way to spend the day. We look forward to taking the trail to Mayer the next trip.
ReplyDeleteWe checked out the new section from St.Boni to Mayer. Disappointed in the number of No Trespass/Hunting Signs. Really made the trail look dirty. I am also concerned about the archery backdrop east of the Skelly sign. If they miss the arrow will cross the trail. Where the turtle egg shells recent hatching?
ReplyDeleteI keep trying to find info about where the trail begins. I want to bike out there tomorrow.....anyone have any suggestions as to where to park the bike hauler??
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I am looking for the chart listing the mileage between key destinations on the trail. The chart is posted at the parking lot in Mayer, but it's not found here. That would be very helpful to see on this site for planning future rides.
ReplyDeleteEarlier this summer, I biked the whole trail from Wazata to Mayer and back, and loved it. The trail is mostly very flat, making it also well-suited for rollerblading. The only real 'hills' are a few bridges crossing over highways; and the entire trail surface is perfectly smooth - except for a couple of sections where wooden planking is used to get across marshy areas, and the one section mentioned above, near Mayer - about half a mile long - which for some odd reason is not yet paved. Would be nice to find a couple of drinking water sources along the trail, but otherwise, no complaints! I look forward to the completion of the extension to New Germany, and beyond.
ReplyDeleteHow far is it from Mayer to Wayzata on the trail?
ReplyDeleteIs any portion of the trail plowed during the winter?
ReplyDeleteTrail has been plowed so far this winter during the 2 snow events. From just west of Wayzata (under the hwy 15 bridge) out to Mound. When I called the city of Wayzata last year they said each city would be responsible for plowing their section of the trail. Is Orono plowing this..do they intend on keeping the trail plowed all winter? I sure hope so, it can only help the business in Wayzata and all along the trail if word gets out that we have a serviceable winter riding/walking trail
ReplyDeleteWhen will the new portion from Mayer to Lester Prairie be completed?
ReplyDeleteKudos to Carver County, the state of Minnesota and its taxpayers for the awesome trail systems here. Biked 32 miles on the Dakota trail from Culvers to Mayer on Sunday and avoided the meltdown most people suffered. Ran on the LRT today on the crushed stone and in the shade and survived again. It’s great to live in Carver County!
ReplyDeleteA couple cities along the trail should step up and provide a drinking fountain. Otherwise, a world class skate trail!
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