Root River State Trail and Harmony-Preston State Trail (collectively called the Blufflands State Trail) are a 60 mi paved multi-use rail trail system in the driftless area of southeast Minnesota. The trail system consists of two main segments, the Root River segment, and Harmony-Preston Valley segment. The trails are used mainly for bicycling, hiking, and inline skating in the summer, and for cross country skiing in the winter. Much of the trail, especially the Root River segment, is built along a former Milwaukee Road (Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad) railbed following the contours of the Root River valley. The trail was originally paved in the 1980s, and repaved by June 2008.

History

The Root River State Trail was initially authorized by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1971. The state of Minnesota bought 49 miles of abandoned rail bed in 1981 for $975,000. The Root River State Trail was built on 35 mi of this acquisition. Development of the trail started in 1985 and was completed in 1988 with the $2M in state bonds. The trail was extended from Rushford to Houston in 1998. In 2011, a plan was developed in the legislature to extend the trail 18 mi to Hokah, Miller's Corner, and La Crescent.

Root River segment

42.3 mi in length, the trail runs predominantly east/west, following the meanders of the Root River for much of the distance. Because most of this trail segment was constructed on an abandoned rail grade, most of the inclines and curves are quite gradual. The trail end points are at the intersection of County Highway 8 and Maple Street in Fountain and West Plum Street in Houston. The trail intersects six towns along the way:

Harmony-Preston Valley segment

17.8 mi in length, the trail runs predominantly north–south. The trail follows the Root River only from the junction to Preston. South of Preston, the trail is no longer built on a former rail grade, causing the inclines to be steeper in areas. Nearing Harmony, the trail begins to form sharp right angles as it cuts between existing farm fields and properties. The trail endpoints are the Root River State Trail junction northeast of Preston and the Harmony Visitor Center in Harmony. This segment of the trail intersects two towns: