Trails at Your Pace

Trails at Your Pace feature short, gentle trails designed to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to start a walking program. Most trails will provide designated rest stops every quarter-mile.

These trails are available at:

Baker Park Reserve

1.1-mile, flat, paved loop. Park in the campground, near the campground office. Nearby attractions include Lake Independence, picnic areas, a fishing pier, beach and children's creative play area. Water and restrooms available in campground.

Carver Park Reserve

0.8-mile, gentle, paved, out-and-back trail. Starts at the Lowry Nature Center parking lot. Follow the paved trail which crosses under the road and leads you to a gradual hill. Stop at the bench overlooking the pond and then return to the parking lot. The nature center is open year-round; stop in to see the displays and bird feeding station. Restrooms and water available. Nordic walking poles are available at no charge from the nature center front desk.

Cleary Lake Regional Park

1.0-mile, gentle, paved, out-and-back trail. Starts across the road from the visitor center. The first 0.4 mile is gentle terrain; a gradual hill leads you to the 0.5 mile bench for a rest stop before turning around and returning to the parking lot. Nearby amenities include a golf facility, fishing pier, picnic areas and swimming beach. Water, restrooms and snacks available in the visitor center. Nordic walking poles are available at no charge from the visitor center front desk.

Elm Creek Park Reserve

1.1-mile, gentle, paved, out-and-back trail. Starts at the trail parking lot near the Historic Pierre Bottineau House; take a left turn just past the main park entrance (near the James Deane Parkway sign). There is a rest stop on the boardwalk and at the turn-around point. There are several trail intersections so look for the yellow directional arrows on the paved trail. You can walk a little farther along this very gentle grade trail; however, there are no benches beyond the turn around point. Restrooms and water are available in the Chalet year-round.

Fish Lake Regional Park

0.7-mile, flat, paved loop. Park at lower lot near the pavilion and enjoy a shoreline walk. Nearby amenities include a beach, boat rentals, fishing pier and picnic areas. Water and restrooms available in the pavilion (staffed in summer only). You can add another gentle, 0.7-mile walk by continuing past the swimming beach and following the trail that loops around the dog off-leash area; cross the wooden bridge and turn left to return to the parking lot.

French Regional Park

1.1-mile, gentle, paved loop. Starts near the visitor center; park at the tram stop. Recommend walking in a clockwise route. Nearby amenities include picnic areas, beach, play area, canoe, rowboat and paddleboat rental. Water and restrooms available at the visitor center. Nordic walking poles are available at no charge from the visitor center front desk.

Hyland Lake Park Reserve

1.1-mile, gentle, paved loop. Park on west side of lot south of the visitor center. Nearby attractions include play area, Richardson Nature Center, fishing pier, canoe and rowboat rental. Water and restrooms available in the visitor center.

Lake Minnetonka Regional Park

0.9-mile, gentle, paved loop. Park in north lot near picnic area; trail winds around the swim pond. Nearby amenities include concessions plaza, fishing pier, play area. Water and restrooms available at concession plaza (staffed in summer only).

Noerenberg Gardens

0.4-mile, flat, crushed-aggregate path. Start at the parking lot and follow the outer path. Winds around the beautiful lakeside gardens; specific routes are not marked. Vistas of the garden and Lake Minnetonka are spectacular and time passes quickly. Staffed during garden hours only. No drinking water available.

Silverwood Park

1.1-mile, gentle, paved loop. Starts on the north side of the main parking lot. The trail circles the perimeter of the park and features views of Silver Lake, woodlands and prairie areas. Sculptures and other art installations are found at various points along the trail, as well as a fishing pier, observation dock and canoe rental area. A short, side trail passes over a bridge to an island picnic area in Silver Lake. The trail is plowed in the winter months and Nordic walking poles are available at no charge from the visitor center front desk.