The valleys surrounding Cannon Falls have a strong agricultural heritage, of which you’ll see evidence along the CVT. The trail runs parallel to the Cannon River, offering views of the river valley, wetland complexes and seasonal changes. Although the trail has a drop of 115 feet between the cities at each end, the rail-turned-trail slope is gradual throughout its route, which winds through a striking mix of wetlands, river bluffs, several large lakes, and rolling farmland. In 0.4 mile parking will be on the left. The scenic Cannon Valley Trail travels almost 20 miles between Cannon Falls and Red Wing. Had lunch at Mill Street Tavern. My husband rode to Cannon Falls and I turned around between welsh and Cannon Falls and I felt comfortable riding solo. This year the trail was full of cracks and tar patches and bad spots marked with paint. (It is just minutes away from the Saratoga Inn and Caravan Motel.) There are multiple points of access to the trail from different areas in the City of Cannon Falls. To reach the trailhead in Welch, from I-35, take Exit 86. The towns of Cannon Falls and Red Wing along with Goodhue County jointly manage the CVT and require trail-users to purchase a Wheel Pass to help pay for this maintenance. Join our Mailing List. This paved bicycle and hiking trail is 19.7 miles of diverse and spectacular scenery. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. Cannon Valley Trail is fully open Walkers and bikers should continue to keep a six-foot distance. Hearing bird songs, seeing deer, squirrels, butterflies, caterpillars, and yes, a few harmless, small, snakes. 10 reviews of Cannon Valley Trail "Great trail to bike, blade or walk. The trail was very busy to the point of being a nuisance. Can purchase there, or in advance on line There's a very nice pit stop at Welch Depot at the half-way point with water, toilets and a shaded picnic ground. You'll find yourself crossing a number of wooden plank bridges, and as an extra treat there are off trail interpretive areas to explore telling about the history of the area. Join our Mailing List. Rode this trail summer 2015 from Redwing on a weeknight.Trailhead had plenty of parking. The trail, which follows a former railroad bed, sees about 100,000 visitors each year. If you're only biking half the trail, I'd recommend the Cannon Falls end. If you ride anything with wheels, you need to pay a fee. Turn left onto Dakota St. W., and take the first right onto N. Third St. Running from Cannon Falls to Red Wing, with a nice half way point in Welch, this trail is easy to customize your ride-where you want to start/finish, how long/far you’d like to ride, etc. Trail is in pretty good shape, narrow than most in the cities, but definitely worth the trip. The first 5 miles are flat and are perfect for cranking up your gears and getting your heart pumping. Head south on the bike path to cross the river and turn north when the trail intersects N. 3rd Street. Cannon Valley Trail The Cannon Valley Trail is a popular spot for residents and visitors to spend time biking or hiking any number of the 18 miles between Cannon Falls and Red Wing. Parking will be on the left. The Cannon Valley Trail is my favorite of all the trails I've visited in Minnesota so far. Pros would be a view of the river, few road crossing and the trail is sheltered/shaded for 95% of the ride. Trail attendants service the information booth on weekends April - October. The trail is asphalt the entire way, and is easy to ride with it's flat terrain except for a few slight upgrades here and there. Trail is mostly level, with only a few minor grades. The Cannon Valley Trail office is right off the trail at 825 Cannon River Avenue and there is also parking just east of the CVT office at the Cannon Falls Softball Fields. Even a few years ago, they had a grouse that would routinely approach them on the Cannon Valley Trail and sit on their laps. A Brief History. Head east on County Road 2/Deuce Road, and go 0.8 mile. In 0.2 mile, after crossing Cannon River, turn left onto Water St. We were out on the trail today heading from Welch to Red Wing - beautiful as usual - until we got close to Red Wing - I don't know the name of the street we were trying to cross but is is being used as a vehicle detour for another road that apparently is closed or has some issue. In Cannon Falls, go to Cannon Falls Canoe & Bike Rental (rental price includes trail pass) and in Red Wing, you’ll find rentals available at the St. James Hotel, which also offers a to-go lunch menu for the ride. Lots of friendly people, this seems to be a very popular trail. The path quickly enters the rural valley landscape with the Cannon River to the north and farm fields to the south. I did a round trip from Cannon Falls to Red Wing and back on 9/22/14. So, not crowded. A great fun and safe outing. Wheel Pass required for persons 18 and over, can be purchased at trailside stations or local businesses. Cannon Valley Trail spans 19.7 mi. I would defintely ride this trail again! Rumor has it that it is very busy on weekends. The Trail itself is great, lots of nice scenery and it's well maintained. The CVT crosses a country road, Sunset Trail, just over a mile beyond the rest area and soon after passes on the southern edge of the River Terrace Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, one of the state’s rare gravel prairie communities. Running from Cannon Falls to Red Wing, with a nice half way point in Welch, this trail is easy to customize your ride-where you want to start/finish, how long/far you’d like to ride, etc. Between here and the Welch Station Access at mile 9.6, you’ll have plenty of time to contemplate how the railroad and agriculture has shaped this region. I spent two nights at the Rodeway Inn which is tucked behind the old historic pottery in Red Wing, and only about a 1/2 mile from the trail head. Please follow & like us :) 585. Also note that motorized vehicles and pets are not allowed on this trail at any time. Denni Adam Sheboygan, WI. This was our 2nd trail on the way of Wisconsin Dells. … Read more. But the Cannon Valley wetlands were still breathtaking. To help pay for maintenance of the Cannon Valley Trail, trail users age 18 and older require a Wheel Pass when using the trail April 1–November 1. The Cannon Valley Trail can be enjoyed as a day trip or as a weekend expedition. You’ll see the trail split with a branch heading south to the park just before the rail-trail crosses Spring Creek. The Extension to the south travels 1/3 mile to Lower A.P. This is because this trail was originally constructed with wide turns and gradual inclines for the former Chicago Great Western railroad line. Wondering where to park in the future as the lot was full when I got there. This was one of our top trails ever - smooth paved surface, beautiful scenery, lots of shade. Anyone 18 and older must have a Wheel Pass between April 1 and Nov. 1 to use the trail for bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, hiking and walking. This trail runs along the southern perimeter of Battle Creek Regional Park, wandering through wetlands, grasslands and woodlands all within a two-mile... Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 30,000 miles of trail maps and more! There are lodging options, restaurants and points of interests at both ends of the trail and the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is 50 miles west of Red Wing and 35 miles west of Cannon Falls. To begin in Cannon Falls, from I-35, take Exit 76. 80% of this trail is within a shade canopy - might be nice for a hot day Great sign and mileage markings. Cannon Valley Trail is a 20.2 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Cannon Falls, Minnesota that features a river and is good for all skill levels. It gradually descends 115 feet in elevation from Cannon Falls to Red Wing. INTERACTIVE MAP. About 100,000 people use the Cannon Valley Trail each year and with only an 8 foot wide asphalt path - bike accidents are more likely to occur. There were many broken tree branches on the trail that should have been removed. This out-and-back 5 mile route starts at the Cannon Falls City Trailhead and goes east on the Cannon Valley Trail to near 82nd Avenue Way, near trail marker 2. The Cannon Valley Trail is a popular spot for residents and visitors to spend time biking or hiking any number of the 18 miles between Cannon Falls and Red Wing. Started in Welch and road to Cannon Falls. These sections are among the most scenic of the valley and also avoid most urban development at each end. This is a great tool to finding amenities along the trail. The pavement is fairly smooth and fast with very few frost heave cracks. While this is most likely a temporary situation, the time frame is not obvious, and the crossing needs to be safer now. Close to the Twin Cities, easy to start from the Red Wing or Cannon Falls end, doable in one day. A 20-mile paved recreational rail trail between Cannon Falls and Red Wing for biking, hiking, in-line skating and cross country skiing. Basically, it was impossible to cross - there was continuous traffic and the trail crossing does not have a cross walk - I don't know if there are signs for the vehicles cautioning for the trail crossing but we waited about 5 minutes and not one vehicle showed even the slightest sign of recognition of the trail crossing. Using the Welch Station trailhead as the midpoint-loop starting point, the 7-mile sections provide an out-and-back option west toward Cannon Falls and east to Anderson Park in Red Wing. I rode this trail down and back with my wife on 8/2/2015. They had really nice cycling t-shirts for just $18 and were also giving away muffins and lemonade. For a paid trail I would expect the trail to be better maintained. In such case, the Cannon Valley Trail may select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by the Cannon Valley Trail. Cannon Valley Trail is fully open Walkers and bikers should continue to keep a six-foot distance. The trail is gently rolling, with lots of shade and scenic river views, and only a couple of cornfields. Sometimes there are people there to issue them to you, otherwise you just fill out an envelope and put it in the collection bin. Can purchase there, or in advance on line Passes can be purchased at kiosks at major access points to the trail and at local businesses. This trail is worth trying! It's worth it in my opinion. Paralleling the Cannon River, the Trail offers glimpses and panoramas of the valley and gradually descends 115 feet in elevation from Cannon Falls to Red Wing. The section of the trail from Welch to Red Wing is closed at this time because of damage to the trail caused by heavy rain and flooding on June 14-15, 2012. It was a little over 20 miles roundtrip. The Minnesota Central (locally known as the Cannon Valley Line) later became part of the Chicago Great Western (CGW), a “granger” railroad (Midwestern lines which derived a significant proportion of their revenue from agriculture) with an extensive system between Chicago, the Twin Cities, Omaha, and Kansas City. This is not a virtual tour of the CVT. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, River Terrace Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, Check or FAQs for more common login questions. Mile 19.7 - Old West Main Access This is the end of the Cannon Valley Trail. Together the couple enjoy finding bald eagles and hawks out in the countryside. "This exemplifies Minnesota's best trails, adhering closely to water routes, incorporating forests, fields, and marshlands, and avoiding climbs that might tax your pacemaker. Mile 18.1 Trail Extension Here the trail forks. Turn left at the McDonald’s, and then turn right onto N. Service Drive. The trail connects the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing in southeastern Minnesota. Goes through various types of scenery - wooded, prairie, farmland, small towns. Through a beautiful wooded river valley in southern Minnesota, the Cannon Valley Trail follows the former Chicago Great Western Railway line for nearly 20 miles to connect Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing. The Cannon Valley Trail (CVT) is a “rails to trails” bike path near Cannon Falls, Minnesota. The Cannon Valley Trail (CVT) is a “rails to trails” bike path near Cannon Falls, Minnesota. This is biking in a gorgeous natural area with wildlife. Photo by:caferacer42 A Cathedral of Trees. Multiple access points. So if you intend to go into Red Wing from the west or come out of Red Wing from the east, be forewarned and plan to do so before 3 or after 330. Well maintained, flat trail, paved. The scenery is spectacular and there is wildlife to view! Marshall Memorial rest area at Belle Creek is one of our favorites. The Cannon Valley Trail is a 19.7 mile long trail that runs through diverse and spectacular scenery on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad line. It was very well maintained will light traffic (we went in the evening). It has many amenities including a new rest area with a fire pit that is beautiful. You’ll catch glimpses of the bluffs and cliffs that line the river’s edge and may see wildlife that live in the river valley, such as deer, beaver, otter, fox, and coyote. The northern trailhead connects with Red Wing's city trails, as well as the Cannon Valley Trail, a 19.7 mile trail that connects Red Wing to Cannon Falls. One lovely, sunny afternoon, after errands and such, we decided to go for a bike ride. A few business in town sell passes. Also, at the Red Wing end you can keep going on city trails to Levee park on the Mississippi River--this adds another 5 miles RT. This rail-trail parallels the Cannon River for the entire route and offers a peaceful and fairly remote ride through the rural landscape of the Cannon River Valley. The trail will parallel city roads for a half mile and become the Cannon Valley Trail. The water is awful but there probably isn't much that can be done about that. There's a short run available that takes about an hour. The trail follows the Cannon River all the way from Cannon Falls, MN to Red Wing, MN. There's also several fast food joints nearby. This trail can become quite crowded on weekends, so week days are a good time to bike. Uploaded: 8/9/2015. It's a bit more scenic and it's definitely the shadier end of the trail. Consider adding the 1.7 mile city street ride into downtown Red Wing - quaint river city. I've always loved this trail. The Cannon Valley Trail was dedicated on May 31, 1986, and the asphalt surfacing was completed in 1992. […] Easy trail - will a season pass 2016. The southern segment of the trail features 4.5 miles of paved trail , and is used by hikers in the summer and snowmobilers in the winter. We mistakenly thought the trail went along a busy road at first, so we started at the park, and the upper area at that. Continue straight on CR 47/Vermillion Road 2.1 miles. Facebook or Instagram: The Contest hosted by the Cannon Valley Trail is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram. Enjoy friends!! Our ride was less than 700ft of elevation for a 50+ mile ride if you go down the Hayward trail as well (which was smoother than the CVT). Rail enthusiasts may want to bike to Levee Park to see the Red Wingdepot(circa 1904) that is still in use today by Amtrak and the Red Wing Visitors and Convention Bureau. Enjoy the Cannon Valley Trail? For information on another great Minnesota trail, check out my post on the Cannon Valley Trail. The Ferndale Market is a must-see for anyone interested in local food and farms. Theme by Out the Box. Accessed in Cannon Falls, the Cannon Valley trail is very scenic, with lots of shady areas along the river. Intrepid bikers can ride the trail both ways for a 40-mile ride. They had a very nice rest area and very friendly people. Uploaded: 8/20/2016 . The reason i did not give a 5 is because the asphalt trail itself is inconsistent. I always buy the season pass and consider it money well spent. 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