Hiking

All Hiking articles are collected here.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park hike

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The location of our October 20 hike will be Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, located 15 minutes southeast of Northfield, Minnesota, and about one hour from the Twin Cities northern suburbs. 

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Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

William O'Brien State Park hike

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Our October 6 hike will be a reprise of our hike last year at William O'Brien State Park. Your leaders will be Jo Prouty, Michael Luxenberg and Bev Moe. 

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William O'Brian State Park

Afton State Park hike

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Please join hike leader Michelle Trudeau-Spanjers on September 22nd for a hike at Afton State Park.

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Afton State Park

Lake Elmo hike

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Join Larry Micek, hike leader, on August 18th for a hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, located at 1515 Keats Avenue North, Lake Elmo, MN. 

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Lake Elmo park

Trail in two cities hike

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Join hike leader Nanette Hanks on August 4th for a “Trail in Two Cities” hike.

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Lake Street bridge

Bde Maka Ska kayaking "hike"

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Our July 14 "hike" is a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles led by Barb Friedman and Bev Moe. 

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Bde Maka Ska kayaks

County park hike in Monticello

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The UMRA Hiking Club will hike two wonderful county parks in Monticello, MN on Monday, July 7. Lynn Anderson will lead the hikes and we will meet at her home at 9:30 a.m. and carpool from there.  

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Bertram chain of lakes park

Minnehaha Creek hike

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June is the perfect time for an urban hike! Bev will lead a 4-mile hike from Lake Nokomis Community Center along Minnehaha Creek to Minnehaha Falls and back.

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Minnehaha Creek

Richardson Nature Center hike

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Join Michael for a 4-to-5-mile hike at one of the most popular parks in the West Metro, Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington. It is located at the north end of Hyland Lake Park Reserve at 8737 East Bush Lake Road in Bloomington. 

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hiking trail

Wood Lake Nature Center

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Wood Lake Nature Center is a peaceful 150-acre cattail marsh, woodland, and restored prairie that is a haven for migrating birds and waterfowl. This UMRA hike is a great opportunity for those who would like a shorter, easier hike. The trails are dirt, grass, and woodchip, with some bridges and a bit of paved trails. Only a couple small hills to navigate, the park is mostly flat. 

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Wood Lake Nature Center Trail Map

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

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Peter Moe, retired Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director and UMRA member, will be leading a hiking tour of the Arboretum again this year. The amazing tulip display was at its peak for our hike last year, and we will undoubtedly enjoy seeing many spring-blooming trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and perennials. Plan to stay for lunch together (optional) after the hike at the Rootstock café in the Oswald Visitor Center.

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Tulips at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Photo by Al Tims

Old Cedar Avenue Bridge Trail Hike

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The UMRA Hiking Club will welcome guest leaders Bion Beebe and Linda Bjornberg from Twin Cities Hiking Meetup to introduce our group to a “new-to-us” trail on Monday, April 21. We will hike approximately 4 miles at a moderate 17 to 18 mile pace along the Minnesota River to Bass Ponds, a floodplain marsh and premier birding area. 

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Old Cedar Avenue Bridge Trailhead

Fort Snelling State Park hike

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The UMRA Hiking Club will explore wildlife along the Mississippi River in Fort Snelling State Park. The 3.9-mile Pike Island Loop is generally considered an easy route and takes just over an hour. Hikers can leave at that point, or stay to add another short loop. The trail is located below the bluff on which the historic fort sits. The last time we were there we saw a lot of deer, and the river always provides fascinating views.

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Fort Snelling State Park Visitor Center

Hike Lebanon Hills March 3

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Join members of the UMRA Hiking Club for a hike on March 3 at the Holland Lake Trailhead in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. It is the largest park in the Dakota County park system. Our route will take us on an unpaved trail with some roots, rocks, and easy hills. It will be about 5 miles for 2 to 2.5 hours. We will meet for an optional lunch afterwards somewhere nearby (TBD).

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Lake of the Isles hike, February 3, 2025. Photo by Bev Moe

Lake of the Isles hike

Event Date:

Our February 3 hike will be around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, with an option to add Bde Maka Ska, weather permitting. No matter how far we hike, let’s go to Isles Bun & Coffee for treats after the hike. Their buns are delicious!

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Isles Bun & Coffee, graphic