Hiking Trails Near Our Route

Part of why we’re building the MDHT is to connect the existing hiking options in Southeast Minnesota – here’s a few options that give you a taste of what Fillmore and Houston County have to offer that may or may not become part of the trail long term:

Lost Creek Hiking Trail – A 7 mile trail from Chatfield to Jordan Township with deep woods, steep hills, and forestry education.

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center – Learn about the Driftless Area and hike miles of public trails.

Root River State Trail & Harmony – Preston Valley State Trail – A network of paved bike trails following old rail lines. One of the jewels of America’s Rails to Trails initiative.

Norwegian Ridge Birding and Nature Trail – A three mile loop near Spring Grove, MN.

Richard J Dorer State Forest – Hiking trails are available in the Isinours, Reno, Oak Ridge, Vinegar Ridge units.

Minnesota State Parks – Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, Beaver Creek Valley State Park provide hiking, fishing, and camping.

Hiking Around the Midwest

There are a hundreds of miles of hiking trails in various stages of development across the middle of the country. We hope to join them soon, but for now, here’s a few you can check out:

Superior Hiking Trail – Considered one of the greatest long distance hiking trails in the world, along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Ice Age Trail – A National Scenic Trail highlighting the end of the Wisconsin Glaciation, covering 1200 miles in Wisconsin.

River to River Trail – Traversing the Shawnee National Forest from the Ohio to Mississippi River in Southern Illinois.

Ozark Trail – Crisscrossing the Mark Twain National Forest in Southern Missouri, working to connect with Arkansas’ Ozark Highland Trail.

Centennial Trail – 120 miles in western South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.

Knobstone Trail – 70 miles working towards 120 miles south of Indianapolis, Indiana.

North Country Trail – A National Scenic Trail with segments in North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, overlaying established trails at times.