Hiking Club

Hiking for Health and Friendship

This special interest group is for members who want to maintain or increase their fitness and enjoy the great outdoors. What is hiking, after all, if not walking with better footwear! Join us as we hike trails around the Twin Cities and in nearby State Parks.

Hikes will be held from April through October on the first and third Mondays of the month, with the following exceptions: No hike the first Monday in July in observance of Independence Day, and the September hikes will be the second and fourth Mondays due to Labor Day holiday. During the winter months (November through March), one hike a month will be held on the first Monday, except no hike in January.

See all 
UMRA events.

Hikes will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last about two hours. The summer schedule may include an urban hike or a longer hike at a county or state park, followed by lunch and maybe even a visit to a winery or brewery. Hikes will be held in light rain or snow but not a thunderstorm or a blizzard. Hike leaders have the discretion to cancel a hike because of extreme cold, heat or windchills. If a hike is canceled, attendees will receive a text or email by 8 am on the day of the hike.

In keeping with UMRA policies, all hikers must be vaccinated (and boosted if eligible) against the Covid-19 virus.

Please contact Hiking Club organizer Bev Moe at [email protected] if you would like to be a member and receive hiking emails. Include your name, cell phone number and zip code in your email to Bev. 

You must sign up online for each hike. Your completed form will be sent to the organizer (Bev) and shared with that month's hike leader, and used to be sure everyone has arrived. Registrations will be accepted up to 24 hours before a hike. Within 24 hours, please email Bev or the leader to be added to the list of hikers.  If you find you are unable to attend, be sure to let us know as well.

Upcoming Events


Reservoir Woods, Roseville
Event date:

This hike will be in Reservoir Woods Park in Roseville, home to a 30-million gallon, underground water reservoir that for years had been operated by the City of St. Paul.  We will be hiking through woodlands and prairies over flat and hilly terrain, for a total of about 4 miles. 


Event date:

We will visit Moir Park in Bloomington for a walk along Nine Mile Creek to the Minnesota River and back. This trail is mostly flat, winding along the creek, with frequent sightings of eagles, owls and egrets. The path to the river is half paved and half grass and dirt.  Those who wish a shorter hike could walk about 1.2 miles to the end of the paved path and back for a distance of about 2 ½ miles. A longer option will take us to the Minnesota River and back for a 4 ½ to 5 mile hike.

Past Events


Event date:

Join us at Longfellow Grill in Minneapolis (the first city of the west) and hike along the Mississippi River crossing over to St. Paul (the last city of the east) to circle back. About 5 miles total along paved paths at a moderate pace.  Lunch at the Longfellow Grill!  


Hike by Lake Minnetonka
Event date:

Join us near Lake Minnetonka to hike along the Dakota Three Rivers Regional Trail. Access is just a few steps from KaiMay and Joseph Terry home. This will be an easy 3 mile hike on a paved trail and for a wonderful bonus, our hosts will serve a light lunch after the hike. 


Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Event date:

UMRA Hiking Club regulars Linda and Bruce Anderson will introduce us to a new location for an UMRA Hike: Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage, Minnesota. If you haven't hiked this park yet, you are in for a treat. The hike will be about 4 miles, with an option to do an additional loop, bringing the total to a 6-mile hike. 


William O'Brien State Park, autumn
Event date:

Our October 7 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park.  This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside.  The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks.  After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park. 


Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, trees
Event date:

We will hike Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, located 15 minutes southeast of Northfield, Minnesota, and about one hour from the Twin Cities northern suburbs, one of the last remnants of Minnesota’s Big Woods. We will see the ancient forests of pre-settlement Minnesota: sugar maple, basswood, elm, green ash, and ironwood trees; over 50 varieties of wildflowers and many species of ferns and mushrooms along the rolling hills and glacial-cut valleys.