Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Excelsior Brewing – Dakota Rail Regional Trail loop from Wayzata

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Excelsior Brewing – Dakota Rail Regional Trail loop from Wayzata

Moderate

3.0

(13)

riders

Excelsior Brewing – Dakota Rail Regional Trail loop from Wayzata

02:11

40.6km

220m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 26, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 392 m for 149 m

Customers only

After 35.8 km for 81 m

Customers only

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

7.77 km

Minnehaha Creek wetlands

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

You can access this path that crosses this area from either Williston Road or Jidana Lane. On this short trail, which in some parts has wooden boardwalks, you can explore this section of wetlands along Minnehaha Creek, which also provides habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Tip by

10.2 km

Frederick Lake

Highlight • Lake

Frederick Lake is a tiny reservoir within Gro Tonka Park. The park features a short paved loop trail and a number of different sporting fields along with some open space and tennis courts.

Tip by

19.5 km

Pleasant View Preserve

Nature Reserve

22.6 km

Excelsior Brewing

Highlight • Pub

Great place to stop for a quick beer, it was there several year birthday today!

Tip by

31.7 km

Dakota Rail Regional Trail – Minnetonka Beach Section

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

This portion of the Dakota Rail Regional Trail near Minnetonka Beach offers scenic views along the shores of Lake Minnetonka. This section of the 29-mile paved trail is popular due to its proximity to the water; you get nearly continuous lake vistas and pass by buildings and attractions that reflect the area’s history as a 19th-century resort destination. The trail is open for walking, running, and cycling, with easy access to parking and facilities along its route.

Tip by

32.8 km

Arcola Trestle Bridge Over Lake Minnetonka

Highlight • Bridge

This spot along the Dakota Rail Regional Trail offers views of Crystal Bay and Lake Minnetonka. It can be an awesome spot for a sunset.

Tip by

35.8 km

Tanager Lake

Lake

37.4 km

Ferndale Marsh

Highlight • Natural

Ferndale Marsh is a 585-acre wetland complex. It features a mosaic of habitats including marshland, open water, grasslands, and wooded areas, providing a haven for various plant and animal species.

Tip by

39.9 km

Dakota Rail Regional Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

The Dakota Rail Regional Trail stretches 28.1 miles from Wayzata to Lester Prairie, Minnesota, along the former Hutchinson Spur of the Great Northern Railway. This paved trail is popular with bikers, skaters, and hikers, offering a look at lakes, wetlands, woodlands, and farmlands. Starting in Wayzata, you can park at the trailhead on Grove Lane and grab a bite or fill up water downtown. The Carver County section extends an additional 12.5 miles west of St. Bonifacius to Mayer. Maps along the trail show your location, restrooms, and nearby services, with parking available at several locations.

Tip by

40.6 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

20.6 km

16.1 km

2.70 km

938 m

286 m

Surfaces

32.1 km

6.28 km

928 m

811 m

470 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Saturday 4 July

29°C

19°C

75 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

Want to know more?

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Report restricted access

Description

If you're looking for a relaxed mountain biking route with continuous lake views, the Excelsior Brewing – Dakota Rail Regional Trail loop from Wayzata is a fantastic choice. This moderate 25.3-mile (40.6 km) ride features a gentle 720 feet (219 metres) of elevation gain, taking roughly 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete. It's an ideal pick for newer cyclists, families, or anyone seeking a scenic and accessible outing on two wheels.

What to expect on Excelsior Brewing – Dakota Rail Regional Trail loop from Wayzata

This route offers a journey through varied landscapes, primarily on a paved rail-to-trail path. You'll cycle past wetlands, through wooded areas, and alongside open fields, with the highlight being the spectacular, continuous views of Lake Minnetonka and Lake Waconia. Keep an eye out for the historic Arcola Trestle, which provides panoramic vistas of Crystal and Smith's Bays. The smooth, flat surface makes for an easy ride, though some early sections from Wayzata have residential road crossings. This trail is perfect if you appreciate a comfortable, scenic ride without significant technical challenges.

Planning your visit

The trail is easily accessible, with Wayzata serving as a convenient starting point that offers parking and dining options. Since the Dakota Rail Regional Trail is a paved rail-to-trail, it's generally suitable for riding in most seasons, though winter conditions might require specific gear. Its gentle gradients and smooth surface make it a great option for a leisurely day out, and connecting small towns along the way provide opportunities for food and drinks.

Trail details

Distance: 25.3 miles (40.6 km)
Elevation gain: 720 feet (219 metres)
Difficulty: moderate
Estimated time: 2 hours and 11 minutes

Nearby routes

Hard

4.9

158

Rest stop loop from Champlin

01:32h

19.3km

80m

Hard

4.9

151

Rest stop loop from Schmidt Wildlife Management Area

01:53h

25.8km

130m

Hard

5.0

142

John's Jam – Grimm's Entrance loop from Lunsten Lake

01:46h

20.6km

160m

Hard

5.0

133

Grimm's Entrance – John's Jam loop from Lake Minnetonka Regional Park

02:12h

28.7km

220m

Moderate

5.0

112

Cedar Lake – Lake of the Isles loop from West 21st Street

02:05h

27.4km

170m

Moderate

5.0

101

Luce Line Regional Trail – Theodore Wirth Parkway loop from Near North

01:14h

17.1km

130m

Moderate

5.0

Bryn Mawr Meadows loop from Meadow / Wirth

01:01h

13.6km

110m

Moderate

5.0

Theodore Wirth Regional Park loop from Willard-Hay

00:54h

11.8km

90m

Moderate

5.0

Theodore Wirth Regional Park – Luce Line Regional Trail loop from 29 Place N

01:28h

21.8km

140m

Moderate

5.0

Theodore Wirth Regional Park – Luce Line Trail Wooden Bridge loop from Golden Valley Rd & Quail Ave N

01:03h

15.3km

110m

Hard

5.0

John's Jam – Grimm's Entrance loop from Lake 2

01:00h

12.6km

100m

Easy

5.0

View of the Minnesota River – Hand-Pulled Bike Ferry loop from Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

01:56h

24.5km

90m

Excelsior Brewing – Dakota Rail Regional Trail loop from Wayzata

Minnehaha Creek wetlands

Frederick Lake

Excelsior Brewing

Dakota Rail Regional Trail – Minnetonka Beach Section

Arcola Trestle Bridge Over Lake Minnetonka

Ferndale Marsh

Dakota Rail Regional Trail

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️