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| Carver Park Reserve, Victoria, Minnesota |
There’s no better way to experience autumn colors in
the Victoria area than a hike.
The brilliant yellows, oranges
and red of maples to the scarlet and russets of oaks...the crisp, fresh autumn air and the last warm rays of sunlight before winter arrives...the crunch of
fallen leaves and acorns
beneath your boots...stopping to enjoy a warm mug of apple cider or a caramel apple pulled from your backpack – it all calls for an afternoon on the trail.
Fortunately, there are plenty
Fortunately, there are plenty
of great autumn trails around Victoria to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.
Carver Park Reserve (Victoria)
A colorful maple and oak forest await day hikers at the Carver Park Reserve. The 4.8-mile Lundsten Lake Loop passes two lakes as winding through the forest. A bridge crosses part of Lundsten Lake, offering beautiful reflections of the harvest-hued canopy. From Minn. Hwy. 5 in Victoria, take County Road 11/Victoria Drive north then turn left/southwest onto Carver Park Road. Park where the road ends in a roundabout.
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park (Chanhassen)
Shady woodlands await hikers at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. A 1.8-mile trail, most of it unpaved, heads through a thick forest of tall trees. From Chanhassen, take Minn, Hwy. 5 west. Turn right/north onto Rolling Acres Road, a left/west onto Minn. Hwy. 7, then a right/north onto County Road 44. The park entry is on the right/east. Go right/southeast onto Old County Road and park in the first lot. Walk the road northwest then go left/west onto Minnetrista Regional Trail. The woods is on the other side of County Road 44.
McKnight Lake (Chaska)
Hikers can enjoy the reflections of autumn colors as heading around tree-lined McKnight Lake. A 1.8-mile round trip trail loops around the lake and, should you wish to walk farther, connects to other trails. From the junction of U.S. Hwy. 212 and Minn. Hwy. 41/North Chestnut Street in Chaska, take the latter north. Turn left/west onto West 82nd Street then left/south onto McKnight Road. Watch for a dirt path going east and park off the side of the road there.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chanhassen)
Day hikers can enjoy a variety of autumn leaf colors at the famous Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in the Twin Cities. The 1.6-mile Ridge and Oak Trails Loop runs through woodlands at the 1100-acre arboretum. While the University of Minnesota facility is known for its gardens and award-winning tree collection, it also boasts a large natural areas, which the loop takes you through. Throughout the walk, sugar maple, sumac, birch and oak dominate. In Chanhassen, head west on Minn. Hwy. 5. Enter the Arb by turning left/south onto Arboretum Drive. After passing through the gatehouse, turn left/south when the road splits and park in the lot at the road’s end. The trailhead is on the park’s south side.
Gale Woods Farm (Minnetrista)
Autumn colors and a harvest vibe abound at Gale Woods Farm near Minnetrista. A 2.1-mile limestone trail rambles through the park’s rolling hills and past two lakes and a working farm featuring sheep, pigs, cows and more. From Victoria, take Minn. Hwy. 7 west. Turn right/north onto County Road 44 then left/west onto County Road 110. Go left/northeast onto County Road 11 (Extended) into the park.
Carver Park Reserve (Victoria)
A colorful maple and oak forest await day hikers at the Carver Park Reserve. The 4.8-mile Lundsten Lake Loop passes two lakes as winding through the forest. A bridge crosses part of Lundsten Lake, offering beautiful reflections of the harvest-hued canopy. From Minn. Hwy. 5 in Victoria, take County Road 11/Victoria Drive north then turn left/southwest onto Carver Park Road. Park where the road ends in a roundabout.
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park (Chanhassen)
Shady woodlands await hikers at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. A 1.8-mile trail, most of it unpaved, heads through a thick forest of tall trees. From Chanhassen, take Minn, Hwy. 5 west. Turn right/north onto Rolling Acres Road, a left/west onto Minn. Hwy. 7, then a right/north onto County Road 44. The park entry is on the right/east. Go right/southeast onto Old County Road and park in the first lot. Walk the road northwest then go left/west onto Minnetrista Regional Trail. The woods is on the other side of County Road 44.
McKnight Lake (Chaska)
Hikers can enjoy the reflections of autumn colors as heading around tree-lined McKnight Lake. A 1.8-mile round trip trail loops around the lake and, should you wish to walk farther, connects to other trails. From the junction of U.S. Hwy. 212 and Minn. Hwy. 41/North Chestnut Street in Chaska, take the latter north. Turn left/west onto West 82nd Street then left/south onto McKnight Road. Watch for a dirt path going east and park off the side of the road there.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chanhassen)
Day hikers can enjoy a variety of autumn leaf colors at the famous Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in the Twin Cities. The 1.6-mile Ridge and Oak Trails Loop runs through woodlands at the 1100-acre arboretum. While the University of Minnesota facility is known for its gardens and award-winning tree collection, it also boasts a large natural areas, which the loop takes you through. Throughout the walk, sugar maple, sumac, birch and oak dominate. In Chanhassen, head west on Minn. Hwy. 5. Enter the Arb by turning left/south onto Arboretum Drive. After passing through the gatehouse, turn left/south when the road splits and park in the lot at the road’s end. The trailhead is on the park’s south side.
Gale Woods Farm (Minnetrista)
Autumn colors and a harvest vibe abound at Gale Woods Farm near Minnetrista. A 2.1-mile limestone trail rambles through the park’s rolling hills and past two lakes and a working farm featuring sheep, pigs, cows and more. From Victoria, take Minn. Hwy. 7 west. Turn right/north onto County Road 44 then left/west onto County Road 110. Go left/northeast onto County Road 11 (Extended) into the park.
