Northfield is a region in Minnesota characterized by its diverse natural landscapes, including riverine environments, woodlands, and prairies. The area is shaped by the scenic Cannon River, which flows through the city, and features rolling hills, extensive arboretums, and state parks. These varied terrains provide a suitable setting for several outdoor sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, and road cycling.
For those seeking things to do in Northfield, the region offers numerous routes across several…
45
Routes
4.5
(6)
Average rating
450
People visited

22
hikers
2.36km
00:36
10m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
4.16km
01:07
60m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
hikers
1.70km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
hikers
2.62km
00:41
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4
runners
26.5km
02:44
50m
50m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
3.92km
00:24
10m
0m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.78km
00:11
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
26
runners
9.80km
01:02
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

40
riders
21.1km
01:31
150m
150m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
16
riders
61.5km
03:38
270m
270m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
riders
50.8km
02:58
220m
220m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
11
riders
29.3km
01:43
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

18
riders
28.0km
01:36
120m
120m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

25
riders
105km
04:58
480m
480m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

20
riders
77.1km
03:25
550m
550m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5
riders
53.7km
02:22
240m
240m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Northfield, Minnesota, offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, and Road cycling. The region features diverse landscapes such as riverine environments, woodlands, and prairies. More than 2,000 visitors have shared experiences on komoot, with an average rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars for the area's outdoor offerings.
Popular hiking destinations include Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, known for its woodlands and Hidden Falls, and the Carleton College Cowling Arboretum with its extensive trail system. The St. Olaf Natural Lands also provide trails through restored prairie and Big Woods habitat. For more information, consult the Hiking around Northfield guide.
Yes, Northfield offers several easy hiking options suitable for various skill levels. Examples include the .7-mile hike to Caron Falls in Caron Park and a one-mile loop trail to Hidden Falls in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. The Carleton College Cowling Arboretum also features many accessible trails. Find more options in the Easy hikes around Northfield guide.
Northfield is well-regarded for cycling, offering 37 cycle routes. Options range from family-friendly rides like the Mills Town Trail to more challenging gravel and road cycling routes through areas like the Sogn Valley. The Mill Towns State Trail connects Northfield to other areas along the Cannon River. Explore routes in the Cycling around Northfield and Road Cycling Routes around Northfield guides.
Numerous trails in Northfield are suitable for jogging and running. Popular locations include the loops around St. Olaf Natural Lands and Upper Lyman Lake. The city's more than 40 parks and arboretums also provide ample space for these activities. A dedicated guide for these routes is available: Running Trails around Northfield.
Key natural features include the scenic Cannon River, which flows through the city, and Hidden Falls located within Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. The Carleton College Cowling Arboretum and St. Olaf Natural Lands showcase diverse habitats like prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. These areas offer opportunities for nature observation and exploration.
Northfield provides several family-friendly outdoor activities. Easy hiking trails, such as those in Caron Park or the one-mile loop to Hidden Falls, are suitable for families. The Mills Town Trail offers a family-friendly cycling experience. The extensive trails in the Carleton College Cowling Arboretum are also accessible for various ages.
The region offers enjoyable outdoor activities throughout the year. Fall is particularly popular for hiking due to the changing leaf colors in areas like Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Trails are generally well-maintained and suitable for different activity levels across seasons.
Northfield is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,000 visitors having explored its routes. The outdoor offerings in the region have an average rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users for the available activities.
Komoot offers several guides for Northfield to help plan outdoor adventures. These include Hiking around Northfield, Easy hikes around Northfield, and Running Trails around Northfield. Cycling enthusiasts can find resources like Cycling around Northfield and Road Cycling Routes around Northfield.
The official website for the City of Northfield, Minnesota, is northfieldmn.gov. This resource provides general information about the city and its services. For tourism-specific inquiries, the Visit Northfield website is also a primary resource.
For general inquiries to the City of Northfield, Minnesota, the official phone number is +1-507-645-8833. This number can be used for various city-related questions. For visitor information, the Northfield Convention & Visitors Bureau is a helpful contact.

