Lake Phalen

Description: The trail around Lake Phalen is St. Paul's answer to the popular Minneapolis trails around Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. It has a smooth surface, fewer bikers and skaters than the Minneapolis trails, and good connections to the Bruce Vento and Gateway trails.

Getting there: Take 35E north out of downtown St. Paul to the Larpenteur/Wheelock Parkway exit. Turn right on Wheelock Parkway and follow it about two miles east to the lake. Turn north at the park entrance, and you will find several parking lots along the side of the road.

Length: About 3.1 miles.

Other nearby trails: At the southeast corner of the lake, the trail connects to the Bruce Vento Regional Trail, which goes north into Maplewood and south almost to downtown St. Paul. There is also a spur trail at the northwest end of the lake that connects to the Gateway Trail.

Link: St. Paul - Phalen Park