Trails and Rock Climbing

Hiking at He Mni Can-Barn Bluff

This is a hike you’ll want to take at a slow pace due to its steady climb. Even with the elevation gain and several sets of steps, this hike is worth the effort needed to reach the top of the 340-foot bluff. The cliff showcases a spectacular view of the Mississippi River on one side and Red Wing on the other.

It’s a pretty trail through a scattering of trees on the south side and, on the north side, a more thickly wooded, rocky trail wedged between the Mississippi and the towering bluff. The main highlight of these trails is to experience the view from the top, where miles of Wisconsin’s and Minnesota’s urban landscape and rural countryside are visible with the backdrop of the beautiful Mississippi River.

Caution

All trails begin at the end of East Fifth Street. The following caution applies to all trails: Loose Rocks, Steep Slopes, Vertical Drops. Proceed at Your Own Risk. Children should be accompanied by an adult.

Trails

• Access Trail (Easy)
  • Provides access to the Lime Kiln Trail and the Woodland Junction, the point where the Quarry, Midland, and South trails meet.
• Carlson Lime Kiln Trail (Easy/Dead End)
  • The Lime Kiln Trail provides access to the G.A. Carlson Lime Kiln structure, which was constructed in 1882. 
    • Length of trail: .07 miles
    • Rock climbing on the Kiln Structure is strictly prohibited
    • Violators will be prosecuted
• Prairie Trail (Easy)
  • This trail runs along the summit of the entire bluff and is accessed by hiking the South Trail, Central Trail, or Quarry/North Trail. On both ends of this trail there are scenic overlooks, which offer magnificent views of the area. Due to vertical cliffs, caution should be taken at both scenic overlooks, especially the East Scenic Overlook. 
    • Trail length from West Scenic Overlook to East Scenic Overlook: .55 miles
• South Trail (Easy/Moderate)
  • This trail starts at the Woodland Junction and leads to the Prairie Trail. The trail runs along the southern edge of the bluff before rising to the summit on the Central Kiwanis Stairway, which runs along the eastern edge of the Linne Quarry. This trail is the easiest way to reach the summit of He Mni Can-Barn Bluff. 
    • Trail length: .60 miles
    • Length to West Scenic Overlook: .70 miles via Prairie Trail
    • Length to East Scenic Overlook: .85 miles via Central Trail
• Midland Trail (Moderate)
  • This primitive trail runs parallel to the South Trail and offers an alternative route along the south base of He Mni Can-Barn Bluff.
    • Length of trail: .27 miles
• Quarry Trail (Moderate)
  • The Quarry Trail provides access to the abandoned quarries, rock climbing areas, and the West Scenic Overlook via the North Trail. Please note that the North Trail is closed yearly from November to April; during this time the Quarry Trail has no outlet.
    • Length of trail: .53 miles.
• Quarry Trail Shortcut (Moderate)
  • The Quarry Shortcut Trail provides an alternative route to the abandoned quarries/rock climbing area. The shorter, but steeper, route includes multiple stone stairs.
    • Length of trail: .03 miles
• Central Trail (Moderate)
  • The Central Trail provides a connection between the South Trail/Central Kiwanis Stairway and the Prairie Trail.
    • Length of trail: .10 miles
• North Trail (Difficult) – Closed November-April
  • The North Trail is a primitive, single-track trail that links the West Scenic Overlook to the Quarry Trail on the Mississippi River side of the bluff. For your safety, the trail is closed yearly between November and April. Due to steep slopes and the northern exposure, extreme caution should be used when hiking this trail. The North Trail is an advanced/difficult trail and is not recommended for small children, pets, or individuals with physical limitations. Hikers are encouraged to use the rope that has been installed along the trail.
    • Length of trail: .36 miles