Cannon Valley Trail

The Cannon Valley Trail is a paved, multiple-use trail that follows the Cannon River in southeast Minnesota.

The trail follows an abandoned Chicago Great Western Railway corridor for 20 miles between Cannon Falls, Minnesota and Red Wing, Minnesota [cite web|url=http://www.cannonvalleytrail.com/trailhistory.htm|title=Cannon Valley Trail History|accessdate=2007-06-11] . In the spring, summer, and fall months, the trail is open to hiking, biking, and inline skating. A "Wheel Pass" for bicyclists, inline skaters, and users of other wheeled recreational devices is required, at a cost of $3. In the winter months, the trail is groomed for cross-country skiing. [cite web|url=http://www.cannonvalleytrail.com|title=Cannon Valley Trail|accessdate=2007-06-11]

Local private citizens purchased the railroad right-of-way for a recreational trail in 1983 following the CGW's decision to abandon the line. The trail is managed by a joint powers board consisting of representatives from Cannon Falls, Red Wing, and Goodhue County, Minnesota. [cite web|url=http://www.cannonvalleytrail.com/aboutthetrail.htm|title=Cannon Valley Trail: About the Trail|accessdate=2007-06-11]

Points of interest on the trail include the Cannon River, wildlife management areas, a 1.5-mile mountain-bike trail, Welch Village ski area, and the Red Wing archaeological preserve. Camping is available at the Hidden Valley campground near Welch.

The Cannon Valley Trail is quite scenic, with farmland along its western half and descending into river bottomland along its eastern half. The river valley has substantial bluffs, including the site of Welch Village Ski Area about midway along the trail.

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