Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trails Updates 2/23/26

The planning and work towards the 100 mile Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail (MHDT) is really starting to coalesce. As a reminder, the trail is a multi-year effort to create a hiking/backpacking trail in southeastern Minnesota similar to the Ice Age Trail. 

It's been six months since the last update so let's take a peek

The map that the group produced originally has been updated below to show the work that has been accomplished and the coming year's plans. The gray area on the map shows a wide swath of land between Chatfield Mn and the Mississippi River where the trail might go. That gray area contains public land like wildlife and state management areas, state forests, state parks and private lands that could possibly be connected to create the trail. The MDHT group plan is to work with willing landowners and partner with them to procure easements to allow the trail to pass through portions of their land. They are also working with communities to have trails pass through them so hikers can enjoy all that southeastern Minnesota has to offer.

So what's new?

The area in green above shows where the planners have secured access, This area includes the 6.5 mile Lost Creek Hiking Trail near Chatfield as well a designated 2.5 mile trail through Chatfield. 

The area in yellow, which includes Eagle Bluff Environmental  Center and the Big Woods/Newburg area and Beaver Creek Valley State Park to the Caledonia area, are area that are going to be worked on in 2026.

Grant funds secured from the MN Environmental and Natural Resource Trust Fund in 2024 allowed the group to hire a full-time director and purchase trail building equipment that will make building trails easier. Grant writing is underway to secure additional funds.

To read details of the 2026 plans, please stop here.

To stay updated, you can follow their FB page, stop by their website and/or subscribe to their newsletter. All in all, it's pretty exciting.

Additional posts on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail:

• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail 7/25 Update
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Introduction 10/18/23
• Minnesota Driftless Trail Development Update 5/1/24
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trails Updates  2/7/25
• Helping to Make the Dream Come True  3/7/25

MN Driftless Hiking Trail July 2025 Update

The Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail is continuing it's growth and evolution. Here is the most recent newsletter from the group that updates what they are doing and planning. If you'd like to get involved in volunteering and helping to develop this proposed 100 + mile backpacking/hiking trail (similar to the Ice Age Trail in WI), head over to their webpage for even more information - and to sign up for this occasional newsletter!

Happy July! With the first half of the year behind us, we’re stepping into a new season of work for the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail. In the early months of  2025, our focus was on outreach, education, and engagement throughout the trail corridor. As someone still relatively new to the project, having been hired last fall, it’s been a meaningful opportunity to connect with people across the region and hear directly from residents about their hopes and concerns for the trail. Thank you to everyone who attended a forum, visited us at a public event, or welcomed us for a presentation. We’ve felt incredibly supported in every community we’ve visited–proof that Minnesota hospitality is alive and well. Looking ahead, we’re turning our focus to building landowner partnerships and working with local communities to establish access agreements. This project has so many layers, so in this issue, we’re sharing more about that process and how landowners can get involved. We hope you’ll take a look! Wishing you a wonderful summer, Alexa Shapiro Trail Director Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Conversations Shape the Trail Ahead

Over the past few months, we had the opportunity to host community forums in Chatfield, Caledonia, and Whalan. These gatherings brought together over 60 community members and sparked meaningful conversations about the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail. We were grateful for the opportunity to listen, learn, and share. Each session helped us better understand local hopes and concerns, and gave us space to talk about the many potential benefits the trail could bring to rural communities—like increased tourism, more opportunities for youth and families to access nature, stronger protections for our unique Driftless landscape, support for local businesses, and the chance to showcase the distinct culture of this region to new visitors. Of course, these conversations also highlighted some of the tough—but important—questions our project must continue to address. We appreciated the deep interest and thoughtful questions raised. It’s clear that people want to fully understand what the trail could mean for their communities and their land. Concerns ranged from the use of eminent domain to the potential impacts of increased foot traffic. We heard questions about litter, trailhead use, and how this project will respect the landowners who view their properties as places of refuge. We also heard important questions about how the trail might affect local hunters and how we plan to build this project in a way that strengthens, rather than disrupts, existing recreational use. These forums underscored the need for more clear communication from us. That’s why we’ve created a new FAQ document to provide more transparency and clarity about some of the key topics we heard at the forums about landowner partnerships and how hunting will be factored into planning. FAQ Despite the tough questions, the forums ended on an incredibly hopeful note. In each community, we saw a spark of excitement—an eagerness to start thinking about what comes next. From new ideas about how to welcome hikers with campgrounds, showers, and supplies, to conversations about funding opportunities and community partnerships, the energy was contagious. One question in Whalan captured the tone perfectly: “What can we start doing now to prepare to welcome hikers?” The answers that followed reflected a genuine sense of local pride and future-minded optimism. We walked away from each forum feeling more committed than ever to building this trail with communities, not just through them. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who joined us to share ideas, voice concerns, and offer support. We’re looking forward to offering more opportunities to ask questions, provide feedback, and shape this trail together. The path forward is clearer—and more inspiring—thanks to you. Interested in Having the Trail Cross Your Land? Here’s How It Works. Becoming a landowner on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail is a collaborative, thoughtful process rooted in mutual respect. It starts with a conversation–about your goal for the land and the vision of the trail. From there, we move step by step: Intro Conversation – We learn about your property and your vision for your land, and discuss how that could fit into the plans for the trail. Letter of Intent – A non-binding document that simply says you’d like to keep the conversation going. Site Visit & Mapping – We walk the land with you, learn how it’s used, and begin shaping what a trail route could look like. Access Agreements – These vary by property and your preferences–more details coming throughout July on social media and our website! Trail Designation & Build – We finalize the route and prepare it for hikers. Public Access Begins – You’re now part of a lasting public asset that benefits your community and the region! If you’re curious about what this could look like for your land, we’d love to talk. Keep an eye on our social media and website this July as we highlight landowner stories and walk through each step in more detail. Landowner Partnerships Voices From the Land 📖Do you love a good short story? Then you won’t want to miss our July Series – Voices from the Land. We’re highlighting some of the landowners who make the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail possible. These are the farmers, foresters, and families who’ve said yes to welcoming the trail across their land. In this special series, they share what they love about the Driftless, why they chose to partner with the trail, and what it means to care for the land–today and for future generations. To catch the series, follow @hikemndriftless on Facebook, Instagram, or X. The series begins Friday July 11! Social Media Help Build the Trail One Conversation at a Time Building the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail is about more than clearing brush or placing signs–it starts with relationships. From meeting with local and state leaders to walking the land with property owners, this trail is being built through trust, dialogue, and shared vision. If you’re someone who knows the land, the people, and the value of community connection, we need your help. We’re seeking volunteers to support our Landowner Partnerships–trusted voices who can talk with neighbors, share the vision of the trail, and help us connect with landowners interested in learning more. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or someone who’s deeply rooted in the region, your experience and relationships can help lay the foundation for a trail that reflects the heart of the Driftless. Want to get involved? Send us a message–we’d love to hear from you. Contact us P.S. We had a great time on Sunday helping our friends at the Lost Creek Hiking Trail with building a bridge to cross an area that has become washed out from the recent rain. A big thank you to our volunteers for helping with the project – we’re so grateful for your support! Next time you’re on the Lost Creek Hiking Trail, keep an eye out for the new bridge (pictured below)! We are grateful to Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center for serving as our fiscal sponsor for the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCRM) through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). Their support enables us to carry out our efforts to build a 100+ mile backpacking trail, fostering greater access to and appreciation for Minnesota’s natural landscapes.

Copyright (C) 2025 Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail. All rights reserved.

Additional posts on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail:

• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Introduction 10/18/23
• Minnesota Driftless Trail Development Update 5/1/24
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trails Updates  2/7/25
• Helping to Make the Dream Come True  3/7/25

Helping to Make a Hiking Dream Come True

Our friends at the MN Driftless Hiking Trail, which is being developed in southeast MN, have more news! They are looking for volunteers to help make the dream come true. Read on:

Let’s Build This Trail Together!

We Need Your Help! Join the Volunteer Team for the MN Driftless Hiking Trail

Building a trail takes a community, and we’re looking for volunteers to help bring this project to life! As an independent, volunteer-driven effort, we rely on passionate people like you to make this vision a reality.

Starting in summer 2025, we’ll need volunteers to assist with trail designation, signage, and building. We’re also looking for those with skilled expertise—graphic design, mapping, events, outreach, and more—to support our work behind the scenes

Want to get involved?

Simply visit our website and send us a message asking to be added to our open call volunteer list! If you have special skills you'd like to contribute, let us know in your message.

Together, we can create something truly special for our community. Let’s build this trail together!

Contact Us And a reminder of the MDHT's upcoming Community Forum : Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail  Community Forum Monday, March 10, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. City of Caledonia Municipal Auditorium, 219 E. Main St "Join us for an engaging evening to discuss the future of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail! We’ll share updates on the trail’s development and provide an open space for your ideas, questions, and feedback. Whether you’re a passionate hiker, a local resident, or simply curious, your voice matters in shaping this exciting project. Refreshments will be served, and no registration is needed! This event is designed for residents of Caledonia and the surrounding communities. Whether you are a landowner, outdoor enthusiast, local business owner, involved in tourism, or simply interested in learning more and sharing your perspective, we warmly invite you to attend. Feel free to bring a friend or colleague—everyone is welcome! This project is supported by University of Minnesota's Empowering Small Minnesota Communities program, a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening small communities' projects and plans for resilient physical, social, and economic infrastructure through UMN partnerships. This is the second event in a 3-part series—a perfect opportunity to connect with trail staff, dedicated volunteers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Stay tuned for details about our upcoming session in Whalen! Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation and help bring the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail to life. See you there!” If you are interested in this effort to create a 100+ mile hiking/backpacking trail across the Driftless region of MN, you can subscribe to the Minnesota Hiking Trails' newsletter here. These occasional newsletters are info packed and keep you in the know. Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Introduction 10/18/23 Minnesota Driftless Trail Development Update 5/1/24 Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Update  2/7/25

MN Driftless Hiking Trail Updates

When last we checked on what’s up with the development of the proposed MN Driftless Hiking Trail, they had just received a $400,000 grant through the MN voter-approved Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.*  These funds helped them hire a new trail director, Alexa Shapiro (founder of the Winona Outdoor Collaborative) and will fund trail building equipment and mapmaking for the trail over the next 2.5 years.

On January 17, the group released their first report on activities over the past few months since Alexa joined the group as Trail Director. Here are a few highlights:

"It’s been 90 days since we hired our first employee, and we’re proud of how much we’ve accomplished in just three months. While we’ve made significant progress, there is still a lot of work ahead to bring the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail to life. The past three months have been a whirlwind of activity and connection as we work toward establishing accessible trail in state forests, parks, and local areas. Here's a snapshot of what we've accomplished and where we're heading:

Trail Designation Progress

• Met with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to kick off conversations about designating trails on public lands.
• Initiated discussions with local city officials to understand the process for trail designation on city-owned properties.

Community Engagement

• Hosted a community forum in Chatfield to gather input on the trail project. We heard valuable thoughts, ideas, and concerns that will help us build a trail aligned with the community’s vision.
• Planned additional community forums in Caledonia and Whalen to ensure widespread input and engagement across the trail corridor.

Exploration and Outreach

• Spent time hiking and exploring in the trail corridor, including Beaver Creek State Park, the Norwegian Ridge Birding and Nature Trail, and Cabbage Rocks, among others.
• Met with board members and project advocates, strengthening our relationships with key supporters."

To read the full update, please stop here.

And if you are interested in learning more, mark your calendars for their next event: 

Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail 

Community Forum

Monday, March 10, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

City of Caledonia Municipal Auditorium, 219 E. Main St

“Join us for an engaging evening to discuss the future of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail! We’ll share updates on the trail’s development and provide an open space for your ideas, questions, and feedback. Whether you’re a passionate hiker, a local resident, or simply curious, your voice matters in shaping this exciting project. Refreshments will be served, and no registration is needed!

This event is designed for residents of Caledonia and the surrounding communities. Whether you are a landowner, outdoor enthusiast, local business owner, involved in tourism, or simply interested in learning more and sharing your perspective, we warmly invite you to attend. Feel free to bring a friend or colleague—everyone is welcome!

This project is supported by University of Minnesota's Empowering Small Minnesota Communities program, a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening small communities' projects and plans for resilient physical, social, and economic infrastructure through UMN partnerships.

This is the second event in a 3-part series—a perfect opportunity to connect with trail staff, dedicated volunteers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Stay tuned for details about our upcoming session in Whalen! Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation and help bring the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail to life. See you there!”

If you are interested in this effort to create a 100+ mile hiking/backpacking trail across the Driftless region of MN, you can subscribe to the Minnesota Hiking Trails' newsletter here. These occasional newsletters are info packed and keep you in the know.

Additional posts on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail:

• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Introduction 10/18/23
• Minnesota Driftless Trail Development Update 5/1/24
• Helping to Make the Dream Come True  3/7/25

* This fund, originally approved by referendum in 1991, received  an overwhelming 77% of MN voters support statewide in November 2024 elections. The vote amended the state's constitution until 2050 to continue using lottery proceeds for the purchase of land, construction of trails, environmental research, fish and wildlife habitat projects, clean water initiatives and more. This system, administered through the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, recommends millions of dollars in grant money each fiscal year to fund projects that benefit hikes, bikers, hunters, fishers, campers, skiers and all Minnesotans who use the outdoors. You can read more about it here.

Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail (MDHT) Development News

I have blogged about the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail before. I wanted to update you with some very brief tidbits from their most recent newsletter. There is no doubt in my mind about the hard work that all the MDHT volunteers have been doing to make the following happen. 

I encourage you to access the newsletter by subscribing. It will keep you informed on the MDHT happenings. Just stop by their webpage and sign up for the free email newsletter or check their Facebook page for updates.

Here's some tidbits:

Funding!

Thanks to MN's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), MDHT will soon be receiving over $400,000 to hire a full-time director, trailbuilding equipment and access to a trail design and building consultant. 

Pilot Project Selection!

MDHT was selected this spring as a pilot project for a U of M's grant that provides technical support to community. The team will help with developing digital and print mapping standards; develop trail standards; and create plans to integrate the trail with existing communities that mutually benefit each other.

Mapping Exploration!

A group of hikers have been hiking possible routes and recording GPS data to be used in planning the routes with partners and designers.

501(c) Status Achieved!

Ongoing Fundraising!

Through donations and merchandise sales and partnerships. This remains vital since the MN ENRTF funding is reimbursement-based.

Community Outreach!

Doing presentations throughout SE MN to inform people of the plans and encourage people to volunteer and support the project. Plans are afoot to host the MDHT folks at the La Crescent Public Library in the coming months. Details will follow.

Landowner Outreach!

Ongoing meetings with landowners along possible routes to gage interest and answer questions.

To read all the deets, the spring newsletter is here. Check it out to get the real scoop. It's a great time for hiking!

Additional posts about the MDHT:

• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Introduction 10/18/23
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Update  2/7/25
• Helping to Make the Dream Come True  3/7/25

Driftless Hiking Info Program Coming Up!

Wildcat Mountain (WI) State Park
Image - Lloyd Lorenz

On Wednesday, Nov 8 from 10am-noon at Whitewater State Park, I will be presenting a free program on hiking trails in the Driftless area hosted by the Friends of Whitewater State Park's H.O.P. (Healthy Older People) series. I hope you can come! No registration is needed.

The Driftless area and Driftless-adjacent areas are full of unique and diverse hiking trails and hiking experiences. 

So what's on tap at the program?

Discover well-known as well as more obscure trails that can be found in our nearby state parks, communities and rural areas. From bluffs to prairies, from wetlands to river's edge, from paved and flat to wild, rocky and steep, there's a trail perfect for everyone to hike in our area of MN and nearby in WI. 

We'll take a look at hikes perfect for retirees; families; active bluff and goat prairie climber/hikers; people recovering from illness and injury and more. And we'll touch on the wonders of hiking year-round.

I'll be sharing information about the proposed Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail, a backpacking trail project that hopes to connect from the Whitewater area all the way to the Mississippi River. And finally, you'll get a tour of my hiking blog and how best to access the info that matches your needs as you make your hiking plans.

I hope you can join me to share your favorite hikes and discoveries you've made in the Driftless too. You're bound to leave with a "hope-to-hike" list with hikes perfect for your needs and situation! And have fun learning about things that will shock, delight and get you back into nature with renewed enthusiasm.

Something spooky on
Lost Creek Trail, Chatfield
Image - Kris Lawson

Standing atop the "spinal column" rocks
at Reno Quarry, Brownsville MN
Image - Lloyd Lorenz

Plans Afoot - Backpacking Trail in Southeastern MN

 

Marty Walsh has a dream! 

While working in community development in Fillmore County, Walsh was looking over maps of the county and surrounding areas. He realized that there were many areas of public land that could be utilized - along with private land used with permission - to make a 100 mile backpacking/hiking trail between Chatfield MN and the Mississippi River near Brownsville MN.

Marty was inspired by the Lost Creek Trail (Chatfield MN) that 7 landowners developed and built cooperatively between Chatfield and Jordan Township. He also thought about backpacking trails like Ice Age Trail, Superior Hiking Trail and other trails that wind through state and national forest land and along connecting roadways and landowner and campground easements.  It could be done!

And so the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail effort began. 

The MDHT vision: "a 100+ mile backpacking trail across the Driftless area of Minnesota in the style of the National Scenic and Recreational Trails, supported by volunteers and operating as an independent organization."

The gray area in the proposed corridor below outlines all areas within which the trail could run, depending on landowner agreements to cross property or the use of only public land and paved roads. 

Nothing is set in stone at this point. Alot of the direction the trail will take depends on ongoing work spreading the word and connecting to agencies, working with the MN DNR, landowners and other local, state and national trail associations to see what could work in southeastern MN. At the moment, everything is in flux. The goal for the trail is to have it develop in a way that involves willing  participants and volunteers who are excited to see this trail developed and come through their area. So far so good!

This is a project that needs lots of volunteers and cooperating landowners. Over the past three years, MDHT has developed a solid leadership team of skilled volunteers, gotten agreements from 20 land owners along the corridor (with more in the pipeline), engaged with communities, nature centers, campgrounds and more to grow the network of possibility. 

Marty Walsh and Andy Petzold 
on "test run for proposed MDHT, June 2022
Image -Marty Walsh

In June 2022, MDHT folks did a "test" hike along a 25 mile segment of what could become part of the trail. They hiked only on existing trails, public lands and connecting roadways. They were looking at the possibilities for camping on the trail, water access, how the trails were - and, of course, enjoyed the incredible views, wet stream crossings and boots on these trails. The test run - to prove this trail could work  - was a success.

The MDHT board is currently engaged in filing for non-profit status. In addition, they submitted a $425,000 project to fund trail building supplies, print materials and an executive director for three years through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (half of all MN lottery ticket sales go to this fund)  The Legislative Citizen Committee on MN Resources has included the MDHT in their FY2024 Funding Recommendation. The LCCMR recommendation will be voted on by the MN legislature in February or March (with the money available July 2024 if the recommendation is successfully passed).  

The leadership team has also spent a great deal of time working with the MN DNR on exploring legal agreements and leases for parts of the trail that they hope to have on state lands. This work in particular is delicate because of the scope of land uses supported in the State Forest lands.

The overall goal is by 2027 to have the basic trail set and maps of the trail (including connecting roads) so people can hike. While work will need to be done beyond that date (think of this as a 20 year project), the basic plan would be in place.

Ambitious? Maybe. But if you attended Marty's update in February this year at Eagle Bluff Environmental Center in Lanesboro, you can see the steady progress being made. My notes from that February 11 presentation in Lanesboro and the more recent October 14 update in Caledonia reflect that.

You can support the work the work in a number of ways: donations; buying cool merch and signing up for the newsletter. Let your MN legislative rep know that you are in support of the MDHT project in the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund recommendations that comes up for a vote this coming spring. If you know landowners in the corridor, speak to them and encourage them to reach out to the MDHT folks through the website. If you live in the corridor shown in the graphic above, you can also host a presentation by Marty to help spread the information about the trail to local folks in your community. 

There are also opportunities to collect data on formal trails and features: parking lots, logging roads, hunter trails - as well as informal ones like social camps, game trails etc. It helps the MDHT folks to better know the existing routes in State Forests and on private land. Maps can be mailed in.gpx format to MNDriftlessHikingTrail@gmail.com

All these ways big and small will help make this dream a reality!

from the MN Driftless Hiking Trail website

Additional posts about the MDHT:

• Minnesota Driftless Trail Development Update 5/1/24
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Update  2/7/25
• Helping to Make the Dream Come True  3/7/25