Scenic Hiking and Biking in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley

Hit the Trails

Miles of beautiful trails, charming parks, and verdant natural spaces await hikers, cyclists, and anyone looking for a relaxed stroll. Routes and outdoor spaces accommodate a wide range of fitness levels.

Bike Trails

Two bike trails managed by the Three Rivers Park District pass through St. Louis Park, providing connections to an extensive trail system stretching from Minneapolis to Chaska.

North Cedar Lake Regional Trail

The 4.4-mile paved North Cedar Lake Regional Trail follows the Hutchinson Spur rail line, linking the Cedar Lake Trail in downtown Minneapolis with the Southwest Trail in Hopkins.

Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail

Running 5 miles from the Kennilworth Trail near 31st and Chowen Avenue to 11th Avenue in Hopkins, this paved route follows the rail line beside Highway 7 before continuing west through Hopkins toward Chaska. The Southwest Trail also provides an eastward connection to Minneapolis’ Kennilworth and Midtown Greenway Trails.

The Cedar Lake LRT Trail line is currently closed due to construction of the Southwest Light Rail. During the closure, a detour uses the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail and the local bicycle network to connect trail users with the Midtown Greenway. Detour signs identify the available alternative routes.

Luce Line Regional Trail

Golden Valley hikers and cyclists can access the Luce Line Regional Trail as it passes directly through Schaper Park. From Theodore Wirth Regional Park, a nine-mile paved segment travels through Golden Valley and continues to Plymouth.

The full Luce Line State Trail is 63 miles in length, extending west through rural Minnesota and ending at Thompson Lake in Cosmos. Heading west, the route passes Medicine Lake and wooden bridges overlooking the Bassett Creek marshlands. Along the way, it moves through suburban neighborhoods, wooded areas, wetlands, lakes, remnants of tallgrass prairie, and open countryside on a variety of surfaces. Eastbound, the trail connects with the Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway trail network and offers views of the Minneapolis skyline.

Bass Lake Preserve

Bass Lake Preserve encompasses 52 acres of protected nature. Its best-known feature is the 1.4 mile George Haun Trail, which winds around Bass Lake through oak savannah and prairie. Visitors will also find a playground, pickleball courts, and tennis courts.

General Mills Nature Preserve

General Mills Nature Preserve is a visually-stunning 27-acre natural area containing over 50 different native plants, along with a shallow marsh, wet meadow, floodplain forest, and a half-mile trail connection to the City’s trail system. Interpretive signs provide information along the route.

Theodore Wirth Regional Park

Situated within Golden Valley and Minneapolis, Theodore Wirth is a 740-acre park with over 5 miles of routes for cycling, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary features more than 500 plant species and 130 bird species. The park’s Quaking Bog is a 5-acre, 3,700-year-old acid bog set among wooded hills. A series of boardwalks floats above islands of sphagnum moss, creating opportunities to see dragonflies, frogs, and songbirds.

Westwood Hills Nature Center

Westwood Hills encompasses 160 acres of marsh, forest, and restored prairie. Its more than 3 miles of trails and walkways support birdwatching and wildlife viewing, with possible sightings of deer, turtles, fox, mink, and owls.

A new net zero-energy designed Interpretive Center includes live animals, including raptors, as well as exhibits, classrooms, and event space. Year-round educational programs and annual special events are offered at the center. Seasonal and outdoor activities include canoeing, fishing, snowshoeing, and kicksledding.

Bike Rentals

Bike rentals are available at The Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Regional Park in Golden Valley. During summer, visitors can choose city/hybrid bikes or mountain bikes. Children ages 1 – 6 years old can use Striders free of charge. Winter rentals include fat tire bikes.

Every rental comes with a helmet, which is required, and a U Lock when desired. Helmets are also available to rent separately. Tonka Cycle & Ski in nearby Hopkins offers several types of bikes for day rentals.