WEST LAKES
MOUND | SPRING PARK | MINNETRISTA | LONG LAKE | ORONO | MAPLE PLAIN | ST. BONIFACIUS
Regional trails can take you there
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 2025 | WEST LAKES | 41