The best cycling routes around Golden Valley

The Wayzata Railroad Depot has a rich and contentious history. The first train arrived in Wayzata in 1867, when the town was considered the "end of the road." The original depot was located about a block east of the current depot. As the railroad expanded westward, more tracks were laid between Lake Minnetonka and Main Street in Wayzata. This decision led to protests from citizens due to issues such as noise, cinders, sparks, and the feeling of being cut off from the lake. Residents demanded that the railroad owner, James J. Hill, relocate the tracks further north, away from the lakeshore. Hill refused, resulting in the town filing a lawsuit. In 1881, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Hill was trespassing on village property. Known for his stubborn and powerful nature, Hill was infuriated. Instead of moving the tracks north, he tore down the existing Wayzata depot and built a new, smaller depot a mile east of town. This action effectively made Wayzata "off the map" for rail service, forcing residents to walk a mile through marshy terrain to catch a train. Hill famously declared that Wayzata residents could "walk a mile for the next twenty years." Eventually, the city of Wayzata reconciled with Hill. As part of this agreement, Hill commissioned the construction of the current magnificent Wayzata Depot in 1906. This new depot was built in a more convenient location, closer to the downtown business district and on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, officially putting Wayzata "back on the map." The tracks were never moved, and trains still operate between the lakeshore and the town of Wayzata.

Nice boardwalk along the Luce Line Regional Trail. There is a small pull-off halfway through, so you can pull over and enjoy the wonderful views.

The Dakota Park Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that takes you above the railroad tracks that run alongside North Cedar Lake Regional Trail.

The Luce Line Regional Trail seamlessly connects the city to the Minnesota prairie for hikers and cyclists. Visitors cross wooded bridges with views of Bassett Creek marshlands and Medicine Lake, then pass through Plymouth and Golden Valley into Theodore Wirth Park. Enjoy great views of the Minneapolis skyline and access major trails like the Cedar Lake Trail and Midtown Greenway. West of Vicksburg Lane, the Luce Line State Trail extends more than 60 miles, transitioning from crushed limestone to pavement and natural paths. The Luce Line Regional Trail is open daily from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Part of Theodore Wirth Park, The Trailhead is a hub for outdoor recreation in the community. Here, you'll find ski passes and all the essentials for your adventures in the park. There are lockers, a drinking fountain, restrooms, concessions, and equipment rentals.

This trailhead sits at the junction of Medicine Lake Trail and the Luce Line Regional Trail along the banks of Medicine Lake. The trailhead offers parking, beachside amenities, restrooms, and drinking fountains.

This bridge, completed in 2024, has eliminated a major detour on the Cedar Lake Trail.

The Luce Line Trail stretches 76.7 miles across Carver, Hennepin, McLeod, and Meeker counties, connecting rural Minnesota with urban Minneapolis. This rail trail has different surfaces along the way, including asphalt, crushed stone, and grass, and is open to biking, walking, running, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The trail passes through wetlands, wooded areas, lakes, and prairie remnants, with highlights like Otter Lake and Medicine Lake. The trail connects with other regional paths and provides scenic views, including the Minneapolis skyline. The Luce Line follows a former rail corridor with a rich history dating back to the early 1900s.