Minnehaha Falls Lower Glen Trail is a popular hiking route in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The trail loop begins and ends at the base of the iconic Minnehaha Falls. Hikers follow natural trails and elevated boardwalks through a sedimentary rock glen carved by Minnehaha Creek to its confluence with the Mississippi River where there is a sandy beach. Portions of the trail loop are rated moderate to challenging in difficulty.
Route description
Minnehaha lower glen is the canyon area downstream from Minnehaha Falls to where Minnehaha Creek flows to its end at the Mississippi River. Main access to the hiking trail loop is via several staircases near Minnehaha Falls that descend to the lower glen floor. After descending staircases into the glen, hikers traverse dirt trails that eventually follow both sides of the creek, with gradual elevation change to the Mississippi River. At 686 feet above sea level, the confluence area is the lowest point of elevation in Minneapolis. For safety reasons, the park closes staircases in winter. Alternative and year-round access to the hiking trail loop is possible via the Glens Area by Godfrey Parkway or the South Plateau Area by a dog park. The trail on the north side of the creek is mostly rated moderate in difficulty, while the south side trail is considered more challenging. Some sections of the trail have boardwalks over ponds and muddy terrain. There are five numbered pedestrian bridges in the park, with numbers 2-5 in the lower glen, that allow hikers to traverse the creek. Key features and sites on the hike:
The hiking loop trail is entirely within Minnehaha Regional Park that is managed by Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The 54-acre lower glen area that hikers traverse was once considered neglected. By 2010, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District spent $7 million toward restoration efforts such as trail improvements, shoreline stabilization, invasive plant removal, boardwalk replacement, and reconstruction of stone wall and bridge structures. In 2014, a heavy rain event threatened improvements to the glen, which were not designed to handle record levels of precipitation.
