Description: This newly-developed trail follows the old Milwaukee Road right of way in south Minneapolis, about a block north of Lake Street. As of fall 2004, the trail has been extended to Hiawatha Avenue (Highway 55), with a spur that goes north along the LRT line to the Metrodome. Future expansion plans include a trail east of Hiawatha that reaches the Mississippi River.
Getting there: This trail is probably easiest to access from intersections with other trails. On the west side, there is a trail access behind the new Whole Foods Market location, just south of Lake Street (about at the intersection of 31st and Chowen). The trail also has entrances at the connection to the Kenilworth Trail, Dean Parkway, East Calhoun Parkway (on the connector between the Lake Calhoun trail and the Lake of the Isles trail), Humboldt Ave., Bryant Ave., Nicollet Ave., 5th Ave. S., and other streets east of there.
Length: 4.2 miles from the west end (the junction with the Kenilworth and LRT Trails) to the intersection with Highway 55. 1.7 miles north from Highway 55 to the Metrodome.
Difficulty: Easy -- the trail is flat and smooth. There are separate lanes painted for bicyclists/skaters and pedestrians, though they aren't always separated. There are three road crossings in the Uptown area, where motorists are supposed to stop, but be on the lookout for cars.
Popularity/number of other users: This trail isn't as popular as some of the connector trails, but it seems to be getting discovered.
Surface conditions: Good. The trail is newly paved and smooth for the most part. Occasionally, sand will wash onto the trail, but this has improved a lot since the trail was under construction.
Scenery: The western portion of the trail is the most scenic, with views of Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. Getting into Uptown and east of that area, the scenery tends to go away, and the trail is in the middle of the canyon created by the railroad.
Nearby restaurants: There are plenty of restaurants in the Uptown area, such as the Smiling Moose, Green Mill, Old Chicago, and Famous Dave's. There are many, many more, and it's almost impossible to go more than a block in the Uptown area without hitting a restaurant.
Water: There are no water fountains directly on the trail, but there is one on the northeast corner of Lake Calhoun and another near Lake of the Isles.
Other nearby trails: This trail connects to the Kenilworth Trail and the Southwest LRT Trail at the west end, and connects to the Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun trails about midway through. The trail around Lake of the Isles is passable, but not really a skating favorite since it hasn't been remodeled yet.
Comments: A good, well-connected urban trail in the heart of Uptown. It also has a strong community following and good involvement from the nearby neighborhoods.
Links: See the Midtown Greenway Coalition site.
Map:
