West Lakes
MOUND | SPRING PARK | MINNETRISTA | LONG LAKE | ORONO | MAPLE PLAIN | ST . BONIFACIUS
Regional trails provide recreation
With two major trail systems running through the west lakes area , it ’ s no wonder local cities have become hubs for hikers , bikers and adventurers of all kinds . The Dakota Rail Regional Trail and Luce Line Trail are both former railroad routes that have been converted for foot or two-wheeled travel .
Boasting a total length of 44 miles , the west lakes portion of the Dakota Rail Trail stretches 13 miles in Hennepin County . After the Dakota Rail Corridor was officially abandoned in 2009 , the space was converted to this path for the approved uses of walking , biking , running , dog-walking , in-line skating and roller skiing .
This segment of the trail runs from Wayzata to St . Bonifacius , passing through Orono , Minnetonka Beach , Spring Park , Mound and Minnetrista as it runs west . The trail runs over Crystal Bay and Smith Bay of Lake Minnetonka , affording trail-users views of the lake and its lush shores . It ’ s open from 5 a . m . to 10 p . m .
As the trail passes through each locale , it runs closely to a number of local businesses that might encourage a quick
stop . These diversions range from food and drink available at Spring Park ’ s Minnetonka Drive-In to other attractions like The Noerenberg Gardens in Orono or Big Stone Mini Golf & Sculpture Garden in Minnetrista .
The Luce Line Trail runs a total of 63 miles , named for Colonel William Luce . The easternmost thirty miles , which run through the west lakes area , has been developed into a limestone-surfaced trail .
This surface is suitable for biking , hiking , horseback riding , cross-country skiing and even snowmobiling for portions of the trail . For the west lakes portion , horseback riding takes place on a path parallel to the limestone surface , and snowmobiling is allowed west of Stubb ’ s Bay Road .
Extending through groves of sugar maple and basswood trees for much of the west lakes portion , the trail eventually reaches remnants of the tall-grass prairies that once covered much of that area . Trail-users should not be surprised if they come across deer , pheasants or other wildlife here .
Community Guide 2023 | WEST LAKES | 41