Minnesota, United States
Hiking trails near Minneapolis
23 quality-checked hiking routes are currently mapped within 50 km of Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Together their route lines cover 97 km. The average route is 4.2 km with 23 m (75 ft) of recorded ascent.
- 23
- Trails
- 50 km
- Search radius
- 19
- Easy routes
- 0.6 km
- Closest
The directory difficulty mix is 19 easy (83%), 4 moderate (17%) and 0 hard or expert (0%). 5 routes (22%) are recorded as loops. Difficulty is calculated from available distance and elevation data; it is not a statement about technical terrain or current conditions.
The most frequent route tags are lake (4), river (1), coastal (1), mountain (1). The highest recorded point in this set is 297 m (974 ft). The place-level planning field lists varies by region as the preferred season; check each route and official notices for live access and weather. Hogback Ridge Trail, Long Meadow Lake Trail, Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway currently lead this page’s directory ranking, which uses route completeness and computed route scores rather than editorial field testing.
Choose by the details
How do these routes differ?
A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.
Shortest mapped distance in this sample
0.8 km
Baltimore Oriole LoopCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
0 m
Hogback Ridge Trail6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
1 recorded loop
Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.
Plan the return journey →| Route | Distance | Ascent | Moving time | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hogback Ridge Trail | 2.2 km | 0 m | 28 min | Point to point |
| Long Meadow Lake Trail | 8.3 km | 0 m | 1 hr 43 min | Point to point |
| Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway | 1.6 km | 0 m | 19 min | Point to point |
| Baltimore Oriole Loop | 0.8 km | 8 m | 11 min | Loop |
| Bluff Trail | 4.7 km | 56 m | 1 hr 4 min | Point to point |
| Indigo Bunting Loop | 2.8 km | 51 m | 40 min | Point to point |
Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.
Other places nearby
Guides around Minneapolis
Frequently asked questions
Plan with more confidence
All planning articles →Choosing a route
How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label
Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.
Read article →Understanding the map
Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb
Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.
Read article →Planning your day
Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace
Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.
Read article →