Hitting the Trail - Walking Time in Burnsville

by Karlynn L. Benson, D.C.

Spring has sprung, and all over the Twin Cities, you will see folks out walking. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do to keep you body healthy. 

Where are the best places to take a walk in the Burnsville area? Here is a list of ideas.  

This week, you might consider walking on a new trail and asking a friend to join you.

City of Burnsville Trails

The city of Burnsville has a great system of trails they maintain. You can find a full list on their website. 

Terrace Oaks has high marks on many lists. It’s a harder trail with 3.2 miles of natural surface. There are hills and uneven surfaces, so be careful if you are recovering from an injury. 

Black Dog Lake Trail is the longest in the city’s system with 3.75 miles of hard surface trails along the Minnesota River Greenway. You can stop take in the beautiful views at an observation deck and wildlife viewing areas. If you are ambitious, the Minnesota River Greenway runs for 17 miles from Burnsville to downtown St. Paul. 

Sunset Pond offers a nice loop around the pond for 1.65 miles on an easy hard surface trail. 

The Alimagnet Dog Park is #1 according to Yelp reviewers. If your idea of a good walk includes Fido, this is the place to go. Reviewers warn it can be muddy in the spring, and as with any dog park, watch out for poop. 

We love our lakes in Minnesota, and Earley Lake Trail provides a pretty view and easy loop of 1.1 miles. 

Twin Cities Metro Area Top Trails

Within the metro area, there are hundreds of options for great trails for walking. Here are just a few you might want to try. 

Yelp reviewers list Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul as their top choice. A few reviewers commented that the fun of the trails is that they aren’t marked. You have to figure out where the they lead. Another reviewer liked that it is not crowded, and include great views of the Mississippi River along with the bluffs. 

Minneapolis’s Chain of Lakes offers a variety of great views on paved paths from Cedar Lake to Lake Harriet. You can pick one lake or walk them all. Each lake has bathrooms, a variety of views including downtown Minneapolis. 

Even U.S. president’s love going to Minnehaha Falls Park in south Minneapolis. This park offers a variety of terrains, picnic areas, historical areas and great food! 

Ideas for New Walking Paths

All Trails and Map My Walk are great ways to see what others think of a particular path. You might even find a new route in your own neighborhood. 

Next time you're in the office, let me know what trails you like best. Happy Walking!