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Barn Bluff Reviews
4.5
2 of 24 Best Attractions in Red Wing
Reviews
We couldn't find a legitimate parking lot and due to the weather, no one else was around, so we just parked on the side of the road at the bottom of the bluff. After our hike, our car was still there, free of any parking tickets, so go ahead and park where you want. This attraction isn't for everyone as their are some steep paths on the way up. Their are stairs located in a couple places to ease the hiker, but not the whole way up. Wildlife is a plenty, we saw typical MN wildlife as well as blue jays, vultures, and eagles throughout our hike. The Lake, the River, Red Wing; every direction a different, equally great view. Bring your camera, spouse, and hiking shoes/boots and do this.
I'm 60 years old and my wife is 56. We didn't run up to the top but took our time with stopping a couple times on the way up and down. The South Path is easy enough for anyone that can walk.
Once to the top, the path from the West end to the East end is pretty flat.
It's now one of my favorite places to view the sunrise or sunset in the Red Wing area!
Awesome view and worth the climb!
The City of RW has updated the entrance, the trail signage and added more safety measures on the north side trail, so if you haven’t climbed the bluff lately, give it a try again. I went this summer and enjoyed reading the history of the bluff, listening to it in the Dakota language and seeing the beautiful display at the entrance. People still enjoy rock climbing on the North face, which is mostly in the shade.
My husband and I inadvertently didn't pay close attention to the signs and ended up on the wrong side of the Hill literally! We broke the rules and took the dangerous path.... we did make it thankfully without harm....do not recommend doing this! When we got to the RIGHT side we met two women whose father had fallen off the dangerous side and died a year and a half ago! THE SIGNS WARNING ARE TRUE! Barn bluff is a great hike, great views, please just be alert to signs and stay safe.
If you're looking for a quick easy hike this is the spot for you, the trail does offer some more challenging trails and obviously to get to the top of the bluff you have to go up but it's all downhill coming back
This is a great hike in the area. Mixed terrain gives you level grade and a good up hill climb. It culminates in an awesome view of Red Wing and the Mississippi River eagles soaring, river boats churning past. I've met every age group while hiking this bluff.
A hike definitely worth taking. The trail is well marked. A little steep at times and on the south trail there is a segment that contains almost 100 steps, but once you reach the top it is definitely worth it. On the west side you have wonderful views of Red Wing and the Mississippi River northward as well as views of the Wisconsin side of the river. Once on top, I would certainly recommend taking the Prairie trail to the east end of the bluff. From there you can see several miles south along the river and you can actually the north end of Lake Pepin. I would love to go back and hike this again in the fall as I can imagine the colors would be beautiful from the top.
It was a quick hike with a nice view. Wear good shoes that you don't mind getting muddy. Bring a camera for great shots of the river and town below.
Nice park with beautiful views of the city and the river. Great for taking pictures. Nice place to bike or walk.
There needs to be clearer instructions since the high trail was closed when we almost reached the top. Otherwise the view was outstanding.
We had a hard time finding the paths, the GPS wasn't any help. It probably let didnt help that some roads are under construction. We took the easy/moderate, south path. Would highly recommend this path for novice hikers and families with kids. It's a decent view of the city, though you look out at industry when looking toward Red Wing.
Once you find the base of Barn Bluff, tucked away at the end of a residential neighborhood road, it is worth the hike. Quick notes : This can be difficult to find, took us two separate GPS tries (two GPSs) to finally make it to our destination. No bathrooms/outhouses on site- go before you arrive! Leisurely stroll up a few longer flights of stairs (engraved w/names of Kiwanis Club donors) and a walk up a big (sometimes muddy) hill and you've reached the top ! Great view of Red Wing, the river, and the bridge to Wisconsin. I think we may have even seen Frontenac St Park in the distance. It is a beautiful view, accompanied by grassy hills ( more overgrown this time than in the past), and even a flag pole. There is a little 'official' spot for viewing (complete w/guardrail for young kids), but also lots of space to spread out and enjoy a picnic while checking out the historical downtown of Red Wing > Worth the trip, could do all of it in an hour (or less) if you were in a hurry ., Saw people of all ages, including young children here during our last visit.
We try to climb the bluff every year we go over that has been 10 years now! Take your water bottle and enjoy a few hours in the outdoors take your time and enjoy the climb to the top! it has narrow trails at time so be careful if you have small children! Could be slippery when wet, and make sure you have sunscreen and skeeter repellant al in all a great trip to take most of all do not forget your camera amazing pictures!!
Nice little hike. We took the south Trail up to the east trail. View was nice. Good work out in the morning to get the body going.
Always wanted to Climb the bluff, this trip I had time. It was a bit slick because of ice but it was March, the Hike is fairly easy for this 55 year old so I imagine younger people should have no problems. Parking is a bit weird, on the street but once you get up there, the views are great. The Northern trails were closed due to the slippery conditions, but after seeing how close they were to the cliff, you would be an idiot to go on them with icy trails. I am glad I climbed it
Middle age had set in on my body and the added pounds were starting to take hold. I get bored easily and just walking around on a path I knew would get old so I thought I would finally try hiking Barn Bluff. Even though I have lived in Red Wing all my life I have never hiked to the top. WOW ! Now I know what all the hype is about. It was a beautiful fall day with the temp in the mid-50 degrees. During the climb to the top I came upon squirrels and other small creatures preparing for winter. I saw 2 guys and their dog getting ready to rock climb (I think the dog was just going to watch). I watched as a barge headed south under the bridge crossing the Mississippi River and marveled from above, the town I call home go through its normal everyday paces. I could have stayed up there all day. Beautiful, peaceful, a great place to just slow down your life for awhile and be thankful for what we have been blessed with. *Be sure to read about the path routes at the bottom before you start climbing (there are different hiking levels). I didn't notice the signs until I got back down and took the North path (the hardest) on the way up which was a challenge at times. It had me puffing some but it was well worth it. Getting back in shape will be alot easier and fun now that I have found this place.
On the main street in Red Wind you can see a tall bluff ahead. If you look closely, you can see people up there. Little did I realize that shortly, we would be up there walking around! I was hoping you could drive farther up the bluff before walking the rest of the way. but I wanted to give it a try. I'm in my 60's and stopped several times along the way since it's a steep path in places. It was but wooded and enjoyable and even got to see a large bird of prey take off from a nearby tree. The view was spectacular at the top!! Even though it was a bit of a workout reaching the top, it was very rewarding!
Great trails back side and from the front side. Stairs in some areas metal and cut rock. Rock climers use the back side by the river to climb and its fun to see how well they can climb the faces. Some of the hike areas are steeper but they have stairs or stone steps to get up some of the steeper areas. Great river views and the views of town are great also.
It's a good hike, we walked from DT Red Wing, only about 2 hours from there and back. Pretty views, one side the view goes all the way to Lake Pepin.
Amazing views of a beautiful city can be seen from Barn Bluff. The best view is on the east side, which overlooks the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin. Also, there are far less people that go there, due to the extra amount of walking. But, totally worth it!
It wasn't a hard walk and the scenery from the top was outstanding.
As we were stating the climb up the steps, we encountered a group of very fit teens. They said it took them 1/2 hour to make the climb... but they could not agree on the number of steps.
Made the climb, and what a view!
Grabbed some geocaches too.
This one requires a more serious hike. It is perfect to pack a light picnic and enjoy once you reach the top. Relax and take in the beautiful views. I would not recommend this hike for small children as the path can get narrow and unclearly marked and close to high edges. Beautiful though!
Two of us hiked the trails to the top of Barn Bluff. Some areas are quite steep and can be a workout. Most of the trail ways are smooth ground surface. Great views from the top. Average person could make it up and back down in about an hour.
Looking for a fun outing that is not too long, not too exhausting and offers a great view of the Mississippi River and Red Wing - then make the short drive to Barn Bluff and be prepared to have fun. On a nice day, enjoy a picnic atop the bluff and look down on the town of Red Wing. Our grandchildren, ages 4, 5, 7,8 and 11 all loved the hike and we snapped a great photo memory with all the kids piled up on the rock outcropping.
This was a fun hike, the South trail was difficult but not too difficult and the views were amazing!
I found the hike to be a bit strenuous, but I'm in my sixties. Probably not too difficult for younger folks with good knees. Hikers are rewarded with nice views of the Mississippi River and the town of Red Wing.
Be sure to stay on the paths on the south side of the bluff. The views are magnificent and it's a safe and moderately strenuous hike.
I love this hike. I've been doing it since I was a kid, and it offers breathtaking photo opportunities at sunrise and sunset. If you look carefully, you can see Grandma's house right...over...there!
nice hike to oversee redwing, great views, well worth hike,,if not into hiking, try memorial mountian,,,, take water though
Rising with first light from the Pratt-Taber B&B, I was drawn to walk up to the highest point in town, and scale the steep slopes of Barn Bluff, where several large hawks spun around in the cold wind. Views of river and city were amazing.
I have hiked here numerous times. It is a short and fairly easy hike, with a couple of different options for trails. Most people of all abilities could make this trek. Getting into the park is a little difficult when looking how to get across or under the highway, but well worth a couple of u-turns if you miss it. Has excellent views of the river.
We very much enjoy good art. I would have never thought about this place glad we visited. Saw quality art. You just seem to wander around the place, Some of the studios would have been nice to visit
My husband and I had never been to Red Wing before, but had heard about the wonderful hiking of the bluffs in this area. We recently traveled from the Twin Cities to Red Wing, which only took about a hour to get to. We spend about 2-2.5 hours hiking around Barn Bluff, taking in the views, and exploring. There were many people rock climbing on the bluffs when we visited as it was a beautiful day. There are some steep hills and rocky terrain, but mostly the hike was pretty easy. This could totally be appropriate for families with young children. There are stairs though, so it would not be easily accessible for those in wheelchairs. Beautiful afternoon hike in Red Wing!
A good walk for those who are in average shape and a remarkable view. The trail markings are a little confusing but it is a small enough park to where you won't get lost for long.
Awesome views but need to be in good physical condition. To hike to both ends of the bluff requires 150 stairs and about a mile or more of trails. The views once you get there are spectacular and there are benches and places to rest along the trails.
An absolutely beautiful view once you reach the top. The hike was no walk in the park but it was fun. Take good shoes and watch your footing on several parts of the trail.
Barn Bluff dominates downtown Red Wing and the Mississippi River valley nearby. It's a nice climb from the base of the south end (where there are stairs for the first quarter of the way). The rest of the way is unimproved (but very clear) paths. Fantastic place to take pictures. Don't fall off!
Nice trails, great views of the river & Red Wing area. Don't miss Carlson's Lime Kiln around the corner from the trail entrance.
This hike was manageable and beautiful! The trail was a bit rough in a few places, due to some heavy rainfall in the area, but was still pretty easy to walk. The view is spectacular! Worth the walk!
It is suggested to see this view at sunset, however we saw it during the day instead and enjoyed it.
It was a beautiful view - but got good workout climbing to the top. We also did Memorial Park, where you can drive to the top - but doesn't have as good a view of the River. On both it was impressive to see all of the eagles and other birds of prey soaring. While on top of the bluff they came close. Well worth the hike.
Challenging but short hike. There seemed like plenty of parking at the trail head, but I can see how on a really nice day that parking might be tricky.
We hiked up to Barn Bluff. Not an easy hike but not too strenuous. Beautiful views of the city of Red Wing, the surrounding area and the river!
We enjoyed our morning hike at Barn Bluff. The biggest challenge was finding the parking and entrance to the trails. It also would have been helpful to have had a map of the bluff.
Barn Bluff is a large 340 foot bluff and public park near the center of downtown Red Wing. The landmark is called Barn Bluff since it looks like a giant barn from a distance. The Barn Bluff trailhead starts at the cement staircase on the far eastern end of the Bluff. There was a lot of street parking nearby so we did not have to walk very far to get started. To find the trailhead, start on 5th Street in downtown Red Wing and drive east until you end up on the eastern end of the Bluff. You will pass under Highway 61 right before you reach this natural landmark.
I hiked this Bluff on a Sunday afternoon in early August and enjoyed this nice hike and the fantastic views from the top. We started on the east end of the Bluff and then hiked to the south side and then went up the old cement stairway. After reaching the top we hiked to the western lookout first and took in the fantastic views of downtown Red Wing. After that we hiked over to the Eastern lookout and took in the view of the Mississippi River.
The hike is fairly easy if you are in any kind of shape at all. Even if you are not in good shape there are benches to sit and rest while walking up the south stairs. There are no bathrooms so keep that in mind before you start. I was thankful we brought two water bottles as it was hot and we drank a lot of the water. As we were leaving we watched a young couple start the hike with no water at all. I recommend that you bring a water bottle on this hike. There are some unofficial hiking trails that go next to the cliff edge that look dangerous (there are warning signs near these small trails). When you walk near the edge it is sometimes hard to see where the vegetation ends and the cliff begins (so you could accidently step off the edge). If you stay in the main trail you will not be near the edge and there is no danger at all. Three people have been killed in the last few years while hiking the North Trail (which is no longer open due to safety reasons). We did not hike the north side of the bluff.
Overall I enjoyed hiking Barn Bluff as the trails are nice and the views from the top are fantastic. If you are staying in Red Wing I recommend that you hike to the top of this bluff and take in the views.
not sure how people see a barn, impressive though...
I spent a couple hours on the bluff, hiking most of the trails and taking lots of pictures. It's steep in many places, but the views can't be beat. Saw lots of other people there, including children and seniors. Popular place, but not overcrowded. Looking forward to going again soon!
I'm a middle-aged out-of-shape mom, just getting to the top required several stops to gasp for air. But I made it! Don't avoid it because you're intimidated, I climbed this in sneakers, without a Sherpa. Teenagers can probably run to the top. The view from the top is so-o-o-o worth the effort. There are two overlooks - the western end looks over downtown Red Wing and the eastern end looks at the river. (Note: the river is nearly east-west at this point, so directions seem wrong to out-of-towners.)
Make sure you check out both! On the way, look up and you may spot eagles - look down and see wildflowers. It's a beautiful, if somewhat strenuous, walk. Parking and access to the bluff are free.
As a group we enjoyed the climb to the top , sometimes a little chalenging for those not fit but by taking your time the sites to see and view over Red Wing and surrounding area is quite breathtaking. Good footware and your camera are a must.
According to local Dakota legend, hundreds of years ago, back in the days of floppy disks, Clearly Canadian, and when Bob Barker hosted "The Price is Right", a large mountain stood in the place of Barn Bluff. After arguments ensued over who owned this prime spot for watching over enemies, contestants from two Dakota rival villages participated in challenges for immunity and to win sole possession.
Tie votes proved problematic, so the Great Spirit and Jeff Probst instead divided the mountain into two parts. One part stayed in Red Wing and was named Barn Bluff, while the other part moved down the Mississippi River to Winona, where it was named Sugarloaf.
We'll save the sugar for later.
Barn Bluff has several scenic trails that are perfect for quick, yet fairly steep hikes (expect to spend maybe 30 minutes to an hour to cover the roundtrip hike plus exploring/taking photos at the summit), with the reward being stunning views of Red Wing, Wisconsin, and the Mississippi River at the top. Prehistoric people used to build burial mounds on top of the bluff, so take a moment to think back about all the footsteps that came before yours when you get there.
Kids and dogs will enjoy the hike, but be always be careful of loose rocks and drop-offs along the trails. Find a bathroom before you go--there are none at the bluff.
Now the tricky part...to find the trailhead (GPS will not always bring you to right spot).
A. Drive into town.
B. Look up at bluff
C. Admire or scoff at of the area dedicated to graffiti on the West side of the bluff. There are layers upon layers of paint featuring graduation years, love declarations, and even tributes to Prince! While not technically legal to deface the bluff, the graffiti has been a tradition for over 50 years--the city doesn't usually paint over it unless there are complaints.
D. Ask a local for directions. They're usually tame as long as you don't make any sudden movements.
*Trail lengths*
--South Trail--
To Lime Quarry .32 miles
To East Scenic Overlook .83 miles
Roundtrip from Main Park Access to West Scenic Overlook 2.27 miles
--Prairie Trail--
From West Scenic Overlook to East Scenic Overlook .55 miles
--Carlson Lime Kiln Trail--
.3 miles RT (dead end)
*The North trail is closed, but the connection path that leads there also goes to the midland trail and quarry trail, both of which are open. The North trail, being the most difficult and dangerous trail was temporarily closed for modifications (there have been 3 fatalities on that trail since 2011). It should be opening back up again this fall.
"Barn Bluff"
(Parody of "Love Shack" ~B-52's)
If you see a little sign at the side of East Fifth that says
Drive straight down to the Barn Bluff
Barn Bluff yeah
I'm driving down over to Barn Bluff's lot
Looking for a gooood parking spot
Looking for a gooo--oood parking spot
I found me a slot underneath a shade tree
Don't need money 'cause the parking is free
Three-hundred, forty feet, to the best city view
So strap on that Fitbit and let it acrue
The Barn Bluff is a pretty, old hill where
We can hike together
Barn Bluff Baby!
At Barn Buff, Baby
Barn Bluff, hiking, Barn Bluff
Barn Bluff, hiking, barn Bluff
Barn Bluff, hiking, barn bluff
Barn Bluff, hiking barn bluff
Sign Says, "Closed", for the north trail
"Cause we care, 'bout your hiking fails"
Cause that trail goes back to a narrow, slippery path
With a bunch of loose rocks and steep vertical drops
Hiking up the South Trail
Hiking up the Midland....
Hiking to the lime kiln
Hiking through the Prairie....
The Love Shack is a pretty, old hill where
We can hike together
Barn Bluff, baby
Barn Bluff, baby
Barn Bluff, that's where we hike
Barn Bluff, that's where we hike
Huffin' and a-puffin', workin' off your muffin
Hiking to the summit, keep on path and don't plummet!
The big hill's rockin'
Yeah the big hill's rockin'
The big hill's rockin', when everyone's a wanderin' on up,
And on up, and on up, and back down!
Everybody's traipsin', everybody's trampin' around
Crowds trekkin' up the trail just to trek down
Everybody's traipsin', everybody's trampin' around
Rockin' that bluff
Rockin' out that bluff!
Climb to the summit, it's an amazing view
Where your crew can rendevoooous,
Wear your hiking shoes, make sure that they're grippy, put em' on
'Cause loose rocks can get slippery!
The Barn Bluff is a little old hill where
We can hike together
Barn Bluff, baby
Your what?
Barn Door's
Open!
Barn Bluff, baby Barn Bluff!
Barn Bluff, baby Barn Bluff!
After docking the bluff one "Uffda" for the sometimes ill-maintained paths and signage, I would give this beautiful and historic bluff four hearty (and possibly out of breath) "Uffdas".
It's a pretty easy hike and worth it for the view. No water or toilets available at the site. Wear good shoes and be careful.
This is a must do the next time you visit Red Wing, MN!
Stop by the train depot to get a map of where the parking lot and trailhead are. We took the midland trail on the way up, walked across the top to see the beautiful view of Lake Pepin, and returned to the parking lot via the easy south trail.
Hike to the top of Barn Bluff for the incredible views. One lookout on the west side looking up river at Red Wing and far beyond. The other, across the entire bluff on the east side looking down the river and lake Pepin, as far as the eye see. If you do this on the weekend, expect to see a lot of other hikers.
This place is a hell of a hike, but the view is worth it. We took the South Trail up, which while steep is very doable. Once we were atop the bluff I followed some of the small trails to the edge. Be careful hiking them, but the view is amazing. There's also a lookout platform that allows for some great photos of Red Wing, the bluffs and the river. We took the North Trail down, which is easily the toughest hike on the bluff. It's narrow with ropes to hold, but it's fun and challenging. Unfortunately it dead ends, forcing us to backtrack a little. Luckily we had taken a photo of the trail map, which saved us retracing all of our steps.
Tips: Bring comfortable shoes and water. Also, from the parking lot walk along the bluff toward the old NSP plant. Take the gated dirt road to your left and follow it to the old ruins of an 1800's era kiln that's well worth the walk.
My family and I really enjoyed this place. It was a fairly short hike, but we did go up the North trail and down the South side. We enjoyed the North trail much more as it was a little more challenging while the south side is a bit safer for younger ones. It was worth the brief stop to check out the beautiful view of the city.
We hiked Barn Bluff twice while we were in Red Wing. The view from the top is amazing!! You can see all of downtown and the beautiful Mississippi river valley. We hiked both sides and went to both overlooks. The hike on the North trail is harder then the South trail. We highly recomend this to anyone looking for a challenging hike with a wonderful view at the end!!! One thing, it is hard to find the way there if you don't ask a local or are not good with maps!!!
Beautiful vistas of the Mississippi river, Lake Pepin and the historic city of Red Wing. Only a moderate hike supplemented by stairs. Gorgeous weather only added to the experience. Would recommend it highly but stay on the trails.
It was a bit of a hike to the top-rocky but ok to walk it. The view did not meet my expectations, since I've the Northshore which is unbelievably gorgeous! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring water and your camera!
Plenty of parking near the main stairs. It was a balmy 55 degrees at the bottom, but as we hiked the trails, it got windier and brisk at the top. The lower trails were slick and muddy so be aware. This trail includes some steep steps and uneven grades so I would not classify it as easy. I am in my middle aged years and walk/hike occasionally. This hike to the top was very manageable in 75 minutes. Very beautiful views of downtown Red Wing (to the north west) and the Mississippi River to the East and South. I would guess it is majestic during autumn colors.
We hiked up Barn Bluff, pretty easy hike. As soon as we reached the top the views were quite something!
I happened to be leisurely driving through Red Wing when I was captivated by the huge bluff just east of the historic downtown. I saw the trail at the top and had to get there. It is a bit tricky for an out-of-towner to get to the bluff parking area. Any local can help you out. Take 5th St. under Highway 61. There is a little parking area and an info sign for the bluff. There are a couple different trail options. I have taken the harder one twice. Toward the top of the bluff you have to do some actual rock climbing, but nothing too bad. At the top of the bluff there are trails connecting the east view to the north/west view of downtown. It is breathtaking. It is so peaceful at the top. Not usually very many people up there. If you are through Red Wing, be sure and make this a stop.
Always a nice hike to one of the best views in Minnesota. Its never crowded. Kind of hard to find at first but just follow the brown barn bluff signs in town or ask someone.
Moderate hike to the top with beautiful views of the Mississippi River Valley, downtown Red Wing and bordering Wisconsin.
This area is perfect if you want to get up high to see the Mississippi and town of Red Wing from above. We are in our mid-50s with moderate back and joint issues and made it to the top with moderate exertion, stopping along the way to catch my breath. There was another couple about a decade older than us that looked like they did it with no problem. The trails are actively maintained and titivated.
Red Wing Park and Rec does a poor job of posting directions, then there's little parking. It's for young and healthy adults. Lots of steps then a longer walk.
Personally, prefer Memorial Park because the view is pretty and you can park right along the top, then walk. They also provide picnic areas and Frisbee golf.
I am also concerned with all the people who've died by falling here at Barn Bluff over the years though. Several years ago, 4 nice boys took a day trip to Red Wing there before school ended. 3 climbed, but one had qualified for a state meet. He wanted to be sure he didn't mess up his legs for the meet, so brought a camera. When the 3 made it to the top, they couldn't find him.
Here, a lady spotted him. He'd fallen! It was a heart breaking funeral and has impacted my daughter forever. I could see if kids were messing around or drinking, but they were not. I do personally question the safety here as edges can collapse from the wind and weather.
Hiking trails well marked and maintained. We come every few months throughout the year, rain, shine or snow. I enjoy seeing all the birds and wildlife.
We took the north trail to the overlook. It was a bit narrow in parts and lots of steps, but not too difficult.
We hadn't hiked Barn Bluff in years. Thought we'd seen it all, but we were wrong. Saw a cool old lime kiln at the base, and took concrete stairs engraved with the names of Kiwanis members. The views are amazing.
We hike the barn bluff trail to start off our day in Red Wing. It was not quite 3 miles and was well worth it. There are stairs to start off and in the middle of the hike. Once you get up to the top of the bluff you get a great view of Red Wing and of the river. When we were there the north trail was closed for construction which was a bummer. I would recommend this if you are looking for a nice hike!
for the last few years i've hiked the bluff quite a bit, i the view is beautiful, and i would say get here this year, because the beloved bridge is being replaced (another great landmark of Red Wing.) I recommend staying on the main trails, but if you decide you want a life risking hike, go to the north side. If you decide to go on the north side, the city is NOT responsible for any injuries or deaths. But the rest of the bluff is safe, slight erosion on parts but it adds for more of a hike. Also the stairs are a must see. -Your friendly resident of Red Wing.
The hike is a little strenuous but it is so worth it. You can literally see for miles. Watch barges go up and down the river. You are so close to the eagles soaring over the river.
Can't miss this free hike. Stairs and trails to access the summit are noted in difficulty. Advise bug spray for the early morning bugs. Fantastic vista. You can easily ascend and get back down in about an hour.
Afraid of heights, this is a hard pass, though. FYI.
This is a good hike! It is not too hard and not to easy. Got my heart pumping, which is one thing I look for in a hike.The views are great! There is a lot to do and see in the area so very worth the trip!
My husband and I decided to take a little day trip from Minneapolis to Red Wing. We hiked Barn Bluff. It is a very easy hike. The paths are well groomed and there are stairs. While it is easy to climb, there is a 300+ foot drop off at the east observation point, so be careful with kids. Magnificent views.
The more difficult route is dangeour in the snow, but the river view was lovely. The view from the summit is also excellent; you can see the city, hills, and river valley.
We had a beautiful day for our hike. The views from the summit were lovely. Note that the north trail is closed now (October 2014) due to hazardous trail conditions. Check before attempting to hike it. South trail is open and easy. North trail when open requires some expertise.
You can get the nice bluff views either by walking up Barn Bluff or driving up Sorin's Bluff. We walked and sweated a bit - it was August, after all - and admired the view. The trails could use a bit of upkeep, perhaps, and I probably would have fallen on my kiester if there had been any rain before we went.
A nice hike for a view of the valley. I'm used to climbing 13,000 foot peaks so I'm not the best judge. But worth the effort to get outside and the view is nice
Red Wing is a nice small river town on the Mississippi. We took in a nice lunch then checked out Memorial Park, on Sorin Bluff. Just across from Sorin Bluff is Barn Bluff with a trail up to the top. The trail is 2.25 miles round trip. There is parking at the bottom of the trail. The trail is a mixed difficulty trail. It starts with stairs, continues upward at a low level of difficulty, then gets more steep and rocky as you go. There is one more set of stairs along the way up. We had walking sticks, which were helpful. The view at the top, and the breeze, were well worth it. The mosquitoes along the way all found me, not my husband, which is just the way it is when we hike. So, when you go, use your insect repellent if you are bothered by mosquitoes, take a walking stick if you have one, water, and your camera.
We walked from the center of town to the top in much less than an hour. It's a good stretch of the legs, not too strenuous. Very pretty view. Lots of stairs - each featuring the name of a sponor - a project doen generations ago.
We had a most wonderful time. The top of the bluff gave us a gorgeous view up and down the Mississippi. Saw many rock climber trying out the east walls.
Very cool hike up to a spectacular view. We did the north/quarry trail and it was not for those with a fear of heights. Along certain parts of the trail there was a rope to hold onto, but the drop along the other side of the trail was STEEP! A must-do hike while visiting Red Wing.
My wife and I hiked most of the trails and really enjoyed ourselves. The views were great from both ends. The hike was only moderately strenuous and did not take very long. Highly recommended!
Overall, Barn Bluff was a pretty boring experience. You do get a view of Red Wing and the Mississippi, but I did not find anything special about the views. If you go around the north side of the bluff, you have a nicer hike in the woods but you can't get to the top. The south side runs along the highway part of the time and has stairs going up to the top of the bluff.
The view from the top of Barn Bluff, which overlooks the Mississippi is nothing less than spectacular. However, please be aware that the hike up to the top is somewhat challenging and bring your hiking shoes and your water bottle. And don't forget your camera too!
The hike up the hill was a little difficult. The incline was kind of steep. I have some issues with walking. Other wise the walk wasn't to far to the top. The path is a beaten trail. The view at the top was amazing.
it is a hike to the top, but so worth it for the view and picture taking. Several ways to hike up the bluff for everyone
Great place to relax and enjoy nature. Being the family down. Great place for kids. After there is a winery close by.
Good trip. We arrived at approximately 4 pm and made our way towards the entrance of the trail. We were immediately greeted by a huge staircase in front of us, which gave us an indication of how the rest of the trail was going to be. There were two sides of the trail- the south trail and then the north trail. We took the south trail up the mountain. The south trail was a wide, paved trail that consisted of going up a steep incline for a majority of the route. At about the midway point, we opted to take a detour to the right, to see the east overlook, which gave us stunning views of the water and town below. We then continued our journey to the west overlook, which also gave us really nice views of the town below us. On the way back, we opted to take the north trail down. The north trail was much trickier then the south trail, and consisted of a steep, narrow pathway with not much room to walk on. There was a rope put in place, in order to have something to hold on to when walking. This side of the trail was slightly scary at times, as there was a steep drop down the mountain on our left hand side. We took our time going down this section of the trail. There were numerous sets of stairs that we had to climb down and we encountered many rock climbers on this side of the trail. The entire trail was a big loop, and when we finished walking, we ended back in the parking lot.
Tip: I recommend spending 1.5 hours here if you want to have a nice relaxing walk with views of Red Wing.
Lots of trails. Be sure to pay attention to signs, esp if u want to reach the summit. (Go left! Although we r glad we missed that sign because the limestone quarry was beautiful.) There is plenty to explore.
Barn Bluff is a great hike for people of any skill level. There are two trails to take--one easier and one more difficult. The South trail is a bit easier. Once you're up there, explore all the trails--it's great to see the views from the West and East points!
Various options to decide which hike to take. Shaded, pleasant terrain. Great views of the river. So glad Red Wing maintains this area.
Great quick hike to view the river. Beautiful, uphill to outlook points. Online maps and indication signs at the site are terribly outdated. Closed path because someone slipped and died. It was on the nicest path, so the town/county/state should clear up a safer stretch. Beautiful views, easy short hike. Recommended. We'd do it again.
My wife and I visited Red Wing MN for its famous fall colours at the first Sunday of October 2018. One of the place to view the beauty of fall colours there is on the top or at the both ends (West Scenic Lookout and East Scenic Lookout) of Barn Bluff. On the north side, you can enjoy the beauty of fall colours around Mississippi River while on the south side the beauty of fall colours of Red Wing City and the hill of Soldier’s Memorial Park. In Barn Bluff, there are several trails for hiking but are the necessary roads leading to the top and the scenic ends of Bluff. The total walking steps are ~6400-7000 steps or 2.4-2.8 miles. The only thing that we didn’t like was the bad stinky smell close to the entrance, which is likely from the chimney or other channels of a factory located nearby.
Great hike if you want to get so excercise. Mostly stairs. Nice drop if you wander off the path. Not good if you don't like heights.Great view!
Multiple views on this hike. Great view of city and river! Definitely going back again! There are areas with steps...lots of steps!
I'm baffled at the lack of direction our fellow reviewers gave here. It took awhile for us to find the "trailhead" as google brings you to the side of the cliff on the highway. When coming from 61, go down Main Street and take a left on 5th street, a residential area. When you see the dead end sign a few blocks away, you're close! Continue to follow 5th st. under the overpass and wallah, the "trailhead". From there you have three trails to choose from. We took the south trail which was the most efficient. Quick walk up a few stairs, a slight incline, a few more stairs and you reach the top. Great spot for a picnic.
Views from the top are stunning for many miles. There is a healthy hike up fairly steep stairs to get to the top. It's also valuable to be very clear about the road here - there is only one road (the appropriately named Bluff Road) that leads to the bluff from downtown. There is some free parking at the bottom of the bluff
A nice easy to medium hike (about 20min on the south trail to west overlook). A few spots with some rocky parts that could be slippery. The south trail was a pretty easy climb. 2 very nice scenic overlooks. I thought the overlook on the east side was a better view. Some rock climbing if you are into that.
One can get a great sense of the Mississippi River's swath made in the land when standing on top of Barn Bluff. In the distance is Lake Pepin that once extended up to St. Paul. The paths are enjoyable. It is also interesting to see the cement steps made decades ago with the names of Red Wing donors to the park.
Nice little hike with family (ages 5, 11, 13). Good view of red wing at the end. Doesn't take too long but parking is a pain.
After an uphill walk to the top we were able to see the Mississippi River area from the East and then, after hiking through the beautiful Prairie trail, observed the mighty river again. It is a hard uphill walk but totally worth the effort.
This is a very pretty area with lots of walking trails to go on.
One of our favorite things to do in Red Wing, particularly in the fall. Breathtaking views and great for exercise or just a casual hike and a picnic. (And fyi--an outstanding place for family photo ops.) Highly recommend this activity for all ages!
The walk was nice and peaceful and even though we had a hot day, it wasn't too bad. There are spots with shade and some without. The first part of the travel could be hard for elderly since it was steep and gravelly. We had to be sure footed so that we didn't slide on the gravel. I love the overlook over Red Wing. I would definitely go back.
Great view or Redwing and the Mississippi. Nice hike, Free parking. Thank you to the City of Redwing and the Kiwanis Club for preserving this small piece of nature for all to enjoy.
Barn's Bluff is a not to miss site in Red Wing, MN. I recommend the South Trail. This way is moderate to easy. The North Trail is difficult with some very narrow places in the path. There are also several technical rock climbing routes in the old quarry.
Great place to see Red Wing, and Wisconsin's Great Bluff Country. Come and get some exercise, you'll like the feeling and the view.
path is uphill all the way with two stairways along the way. well worth it. saw an eagle up there and some amazing views.
Stand above the Mississippi River Valley and see for miles. If you're lucky you might be able to see a storm roll in.
Barn's bluff never gets old. Awesome views and relatively easy hiking trails made for a great morning excursion to celebrate The 4th.
We love hiking Barn Bluff! There are many steps and a well marked dirt path that can be followed to reach the top of the bluff. The hiking is not for the faint of heart and is not handicap accessible. The hike is worth the beautiful view of the river bluff town of Redwing that is located on the Mississippi river! You won't be able to reach the parking spot off Highway 61. It is only available by going down a local city street.
Good hike with kids and dogs. Would probably be gorgeous in the fall. Wear good shoes as uneven surfaces...lots of shade on the way up and back. Stick to the South trail.
Start at the East end, There are stairs up this end. Each stair has the name of the person who donated it. Bring a camera and binoculars, there are spectacular views when you reach the west end. You can see barges on the Mississippi River. If you look on the west horizon on a clear day you can see the planes landing at the Minneapolis Airport. Also there are great views of the city of Red Wing. This is a hike not to be missed. On a hot day be sure you bring water to keep hydrated.
Loved the walk-not a place for sandals! The area had rains and some areas were washed out, need to watch your step for loose rock but so worth the walk!! Wished it was better marked or there was a hand out so we wouldn't miss anything-local walker helped us with talking paths.
It was too icy as the snow was melting and refreezing so we couldn't make it to the top like we had hoped.
So neat to see from the top. The kids really like to climb it. I like that there is an easier path and a more challenging one.
The view over Red Wing was worth the hike, but the hike was not easy and the trail is "rustic". We also had a little difficulty finding the access point walking form the downtown area.
The view is vast of Red Wing and down the Mississippi River. Thoreau wrote of his adventures while traveling through this land, and he wrote about it in his letters to his mother (not to mention the 100 snakes/day that he would kill). The hike goes up over 330 feet. Bring a sweater on cool days as the wind can be chilly. The South Trail is easier to climb, but I prefer the North Trail because the views of the rock formations and nature are significantly more vast. Keep your eyes open for wildlife. You may even spot a red fox or two.
The view from the top of the bluff is fabulous. The trails are not clearly enough marked. We got lost and wandered around for 40 minutes on a trail that dead ends at the base of a cliff. Once we found our way back to the start, we walked to the summit and enjoyed the view.
The entrance was surprising but the trails were gorgeous and well kept. Lots of stairs. Beautiful views. Definitely worth the hour drive.
Not too tough but enough to make you breath heavy climbing up. Great views and about 3 miles of total hiking if you go to both the East an West lookouts.
This was a beautiful hike, especially the north trail but not for the inexperienced. Younger children not advised on that trail. The rest of the trails were nice but rugged in areas. The north trail consists of the smooth bluffs, were you might see a few rock climbers like we did. Awesome!
My wife and I recently hiked up to both the east and west overlooks on Barn Bluff. The hike is relatively short and not overly steep. Once you're at one of the overlooks, the hiking path to the other overlook is level and not at all strenuous. The view of Red Wing from the west overlook looking up river was nice but the view downriver from the east overlook was spectacular. After hiking down from the overlooks we decided to take the short (550') walk back to the old lime kilns. It's worth the walk to see these historical buildings but beware when climbing around the rocks at the bottom of the kilns. A train was going by and the noise masked the sound of a 3' timber rattler that was sunning itself on the rocks 2' from where I was standing. It wasn't until after the train passed that I heard it's rattle. I'm not sure who was more surprised but I do know who jumped the highest! If you decide to visit the kilns, be observant to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
I have been hiking the bluff since I was a kid and the view at the top is still breath taking. If you stick to the main trail it's gravel then several flights of stairs and then dirt path to the top where you can over look red wing, the river and into Wisconsin. You can walk to the other side of the bluff once up top but there is no railing at that end so be careful. The trail that went around the back side of the bluff washed out a few years ago so it's closed. There are people rock climbing there a lot to. Bug spray isn't a bad idea before heading up. Otherwise a water and camera is all you need. There is a map at the beginning to help you decide how you want to go. Enjoy!
We thought this would be a pleasant but not demanding hike with spectacular views. It was a bit more demanding than we expected (there was a pretty significant incline, lots of trail washout and maybe 10 flights of stairs). It was maybe not as spectacular as we had hoped. It was fine. We went to the overlook on Skyline drive and had pretty nice views without the stairs. (oh, don't forget bug spray!)
Great place to view Red Wing and the Mississippi River valley. The trail is steep and rough in places. Lots of stairs to climb.
Love climbing Barn Bluff. Careful of the old stairs, they are too rickety to attempt but I love it up there.
I had a pleasant hike to the top of the Bluff. It provided a lovely view of the town and the Mississippi River.
A great place to hike and view the City of Red Wing. There were some historical markers along the way. Not a huge place, but can get in a couple miles of hiking.
Get to the top of the trail to view Red Wing, the Mississippi River and to the south the beginning of Lake Pepin. The north side trail is steeper and tricker if the ground is slippery. The whole trip to the top, across the top and back down only takes an hour or two.
We enjoyed the variety of trails and vista points. I really like that they placed an American Flag atop the bluff. It provides a nice visual for where you were when you are back down. The trails were not marked that well, but it would be hard to get lost as long as you get on a rail. They were many people traveling the south trail so we changed our minds and took a different route and were very pleased. We ended up traveling all of the trails in one afternoon before heading down for a walk around the river.
I wasn't sure if I can make it to the top of the bluff since I was about 7 months pregnant at my last visit to the bluff. I am quite active and love hiking any time I get the chance. The hike itself was moderate or rather easy. There are some steps but not at all strenuous for the short hike. There are one or two drop zone which visitors need to watch out for because there is no safety rail at some point. The view was lovely during peak color and quite interesting. Overall the hike took about 20 minutes for a pregnant woman so I am sure it would take anyone else half the time.
First off, my new car navigational system and my Google maps app for my smartphone could only get me close, but not to the road to the park. So, here are some clues: 1) If you are totally unfamiliar with the area and don't know where Barn Bluff is, go stand in front of the Red Wing Shoe Store on Main Street and look up at the hill before you with the American flag. That's Barn Bluff. What you will immediately realize is that it is on the other side of the highway and there seems to be no access road. 2) If you've got any form of navigational system, set it for East 5th Street. If you don't have navigation, ask for directions to East 5th because this road dead ends at a dirt road that will take you under the highway and to the park. There are even signs along East 5th to direct you. There is a large sign at the entrance, but only off-street parking available.
Barn Bluff is a 340-foot high bluff with great views overlooking the Mississippi River and Red Wing. Your hike starts with a series of stairs and then you have a couple of choices about how hard or easy you want your hike to be to that elevation.
We took the North Trail, which I would recommend only if you are fit. This trails starts out with a wide, relatively flat path that takes you through old, abandoned limestone quarries and kilns. As you increase in elevation, it quickly changes to about an 18-inch wide rocky path through thickly wooded terrain. The trail hugs the bluff and has vertical drops on the outside of the trail. You wouldn't want to do this trail on a wet day.
The South Trail is much easier, wider and more flat through a less wooded area. We decided to loop back on the South Trail after reaching the top of the bluff from the North Trail. You can pick up the South Trail at the top of the bluff by going around the American flag, the same one that you can see from the street below. It was about a 2.27-mile hike by choosing this loop.
There's lots of history associated with Barn Bluff and it is explained at an information station at entrance to the trails. A map is also there, but no copies are available to take with you. However, you choose to hike Barn Bluff know that the scenery is well worth the climb.
Variety of hiking paths will get you to the top of the bluff where you can see beautiful views of both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Quick hike up the stairs/bluff well worth the views that await. Loved the American flag placed at the peak. Went to both sides of the bluff and there were great views all around. Would visit again.
We waited out the rain and were glad we did. This is a pretty doable hike, however I would be cautious with smaller kids as there is a steep hill/ledge on one of the trails.
Love this place it's absolutely amazing, easy access, full Frisbee golf course. Beautiful Sunsets and a great place to have lunch with family or friends
You may as well go wander through untrailed woods. Do not go here unless you like walking through waist high weeds because the city hasn't kept it up. Was very cool at one time.
There are a couple of ways to get to, or near, the top and they are both worth the effort. It's not for the weak-of-heart, but it's not that strenuous either.
This is a great day hike with a beautiful view of bluff country. The hike is moderately strenuous with a number of stairs and a nice switchback trail. You can look out over the City of Red Wing or take the south route and look over the beginnings of Lake Pepin. Finding it is a bit tricky but there is signage in the City.
great hike, a must do when in Red Wing! started with the South trail, once on top we walked several other trails.
Parking at the entrance to the stairs is a bit scarce but was able to grab a spot under a tree. If you have kids take the South path, the North is beautiful but there are some steep spots. Great view and picture opportunity once you get to the top.
A suggestion by the B & B owners to take the walk. There were alot of stairs, and steep walking. View was nice. Take a water bottle along.
We have climbed the bluff twice. Once on the easier trail, and once on the experienced hikers trail(EHT). Both were fun. Suggest the EHT is truly more comfortable for those with experience. Its often very narrow. Slippery when wet. And very steep if you slip/fall off the trail. Take water, suntan lotion, and bug spray. We enjoyed the views and the hikes. Take a camera & don't be in a hurry!
ok, I'm a local, so I'm prejudiced. However, it is a great southeastern MN hike. On our hike, we saw some people trying to rappel a portion of the cliff and it was just a beautiful vista. Not for those who can't hike a bit, but it was easy for our two kids (7 and 8).
When I was growing up in Red Wing, Barn Bluff was a place for climbing that we took advantage of at least once a month during the good weather months. Concrete steps made an easy climb to the top of the bluff. In the early 20th century, Chief Red Wing (one of a few: the original Chief Red Wing lived in the early 1800s) was often photographed on Barn Bluff in full eagle feather head-dress; the bluff's rock face offered a natural facial silhouette of a native American head. When a new bridge and highway was built in the late 1950s, the silhouette rock face on Barn Bluff was demolitioned due to danger of rocks falling on the new highway. In the present, the rock face is enjoyed by rock climbers (with climbing gear) during the summer.
The first time one visitS Red Wing often includes a trip to the 'top of the bluff' (winding road on nearby Memorial Bluff not open during winter months, but can hike up). To look over the river valley is awe inspiring, but investigating the many cultural and historic areas on the bluff is fun. Signage provides history, trails vary by difficulty, no need to hurry, so can fully enjoy the climb. Always a pleasure to enjoy this amazing spot.
This is a nice hike for being in a city. It does have one section with a steep drop off which may not be suitable for younger children. Great vistas from the top of the bluff. This is a nice attraction for the city of Red Wing. We hiked there many times in the 5 years we owned a townhouse there.
We hiked it in January about 10 degrees and light snow. The views were still beautiful with the steam and snow
My husband and I were driving through Red Wing on a beautiful day and looked up and saw the American Flag displayed proudly on the bluff. We also saw people walking up there. We wondered how to get up there ourselves. So we drove around and couldn't figure it out. There were no signs advertising Barn Bluff from the major roads. Eventually we pulled into a parking lot and I googled it and we were able to find it through GPS. They did have little signs, but they are on the side streets, not the main drag everyone takes through town. There should be signs on the main roads pointing in the direction of the Bluff. So now were there, and there are all these Kiwanis memorials, but no trail map or trail descriptions. You climb to the top of the stairs, and there are signs with the names of trails, but you have no idea which one to take to get to the top of the bluff. We asked some other hikers and ended up on the Midland Trail, which does not take you to the bluff. We ended up trying to take a short cut straight up to the top of the bluff. It was very steep and dangerous, and when we got to the top there was a rope and sign that said "Danger: Trail Closed". It would have been nice if that sign was at the other end of the trail before we climbed up. Now we were lost, so we asked some rock climbers how to get to the top. They didn't know. We got back on the Midland Trail, and ran into other lost hikers. It seemed no one knew where to go. By now, we were tired and fed up, and just went back down the bluff and headed home. Once at home, I checked Trip Advisor and read that many people had similar experiences of the difficulty of finding this place and navigating the trails due to lack of trail maps. But through their advice, I now knew what trail I wanted: the South Trail. So we went back the following week, hiked the South Trail, and got to the top of the bluff no problem. The hike is short, but steep. The views from the top are gorgeous. From the top of the bluff you hike the Prairie Trail to go from the West Overlook to the East Overlook. The West Overlook has views of the city of Red Wing, the East Overlook has more natural water and bluff views.
Bring your camera and hiking boots, this is worth the exercise for an afternoon out. The view at the top is scenic and unique - you'll have a front row seat for watching not only eagles soar above the river valley, but also an unmatched view of the colorful fall canopy, if you make the trek at the peak of fall leaf color.
Barn Bluff is an amazing hiking experience in Red Wing. There are several hikes from easy to difficult, so you pick the one that suits your needs. The parking lot was busy the day I was there, however there is parking along the road. No fees of any kind so very budget friendly. There is a west bluff and east bluff trail to visit. I liked the west one best however both are great! I did use a walking stick on my hike. You might want to do the same if you are starting to get in the "senior" category. Wear good hiking boots and you'll probably be fine. Just don't go right after a rain. Bring a camera and binoculars for some helpful accessories. I've also heard that bug spray is sometimes needed. I was fine the day I was there though. Allow at least 2 hours. Have a great time!
We had a great time hiking up this bluff! They have a few trails you can take to get to the top, and a little informational post at the beginning telling you which trails are easiest/hardest, to help you decide which one to take. My husband and I took the North Trail on the way up, which is considered the hard/advanced trail. While there were some slippery spots and narrow areas, if you're an adult with any hiking experience, you can probably handle it (not sure I'd take the same trail on the way down though - that would definitely be for the more advanced!). If you like nature and hiking through forestry, it's a beautiful hike. The North Trail also winds past some lime quarries, which are really neat to wander around. The North Trail is on the river side, so it's a gorgeous site to see the Mississippi in spots where the trees aren't too thick. Once you get to the top, there's a large grassy area with a great view of Red Wing and the river. On the way down, we took the South Trail, which was easier but still fun. Highly recommended!
It's a fairly easy hike to the summit. Once on top of the bluff you can over look the Mississippi River and charming city of red wing. There used to be two sides to climb up but the more difficult side got too dangerous over the years so now there is just one main trail up. It's a safe, easy trail that all ages can enjoy. It's a great way to spend the afternoon and has some nice photo ops when you reach the top.
Good hike up the north trail which is closed but everybody uses it anyway and a lot of nice people on the trail. Great views all around.
See the city and the Mississippi from an eagles eye view. The hike was a little challenging but worth the effort. The historical connections make this a must do.
Take a ride up Barn Bluff and enjoy the views of Red Wing and the River Valley. You can pack a lunch, play catch, or walk around and enjoy the park.
Husband and i got a bit turned around and wound up hiking nearly every trail... while a fantastic mistake, I would say that they could improve the signage.
Beautiful views, perfect day and great exercise... well worth it!
Great family friendly hike, views spectacular and price was right as it was free. Pet friendly too, will do it again in the spring.
Need good hiking shoes as some parts are a bit steep, but worth the climb! Even on a warm day, there was a breeze at the top, which helped. We may try to come back in the fall. I bet the view is spectacular!
No security dogs run free and will attack your dog on a leash and nobody cares. Several people have fallen and gotten killed no fencing.
My Boyfriend and I went to the barn bluffs this past weekend. It was a great experience. The trails were in good condition and the view was incredible. It was also very peaceful. It's a great place to go with your loved ones.
This is one of many historic sites in Red Wing and while spectacular in its own right, it was very hard to find. There were several entrances and some of the local folks did not know how to access them. I would suggest the Chamber of Commerce do a better job of providing directions.
Very accessible hike to some excellent views of the river valley, bluffs and the town of Redwing. You can get to everything and back in an hour of hiking/walking. It's not too strenuous.
Started on the north trail and while it was a little challenging, we were still able to manage quite easily. I workout regularly so that may have something to do with it. The west end view was great and we finished with the south trail. Make sure to spend some time around the corner from the trail entrance. An old lime kiln is there by the railroad tracks and is great for a quick photo stop.
Beautiful views, well taken care of roads and perfect for hiking as a couple. Bring your romance for a smooch at the summit!
Kudos to the volunteers and City employees & electeds who have honored the Native American heritage. The trails marked as more difficult justify bringing along your Keens or favorite hiking shoes.
Barn Bluff is awsome!! I went to Barn Bluff with my Geology class last week. We took rock samples and are now writing a report on the rocks!! We found many diffrent types of Quartz and Calcite!! It was a fun Day!!!
The climb starts with steps and then turns into a path. It is a bit strenuous but the view from the top is spectacular. You can see the whole city of Red Wing. If you are not up to the hike, drive up Sorins Bluff for a equally spectacular view of Red Wing. Barn Bluff has symbolized Red Wing in many pictures through the years. Pictures can be taken from many locations.
I always enjoy bringing friends for a walk up Barns Bluff. The trails are very well maintained. Beautiful views from the top of the Mississippi River and Red Wing.
My husband and I spent a night in Red Wing recently. We decided to visit Barn Bluff. As others have mentioned, it is a little tricky to get to. I used the advice of another reviewer by setting my navigation to find East 5th Street in Red Wing. The road dead ends at the trail head. The hike was pretty easy. We took the south trail since the north trail was closed. To be honest, I probably would have taken the south trail anyway. I have heard many scary stories about the North trail. The hike was beautiful. The views were awesome. The fall colors were on high display. I highly recommend this hike if you are in or around Red Wing!
We had been sitting in a car for five hours and just had eaten lunch. It was hot and just kind of miserable. My wife talked me into hiking to the top and we had a lot of fun. The way up was crazy hot but the view at the top was worth it. A fun place to relax for a bit. We took the trail on the river side down. It's a little tougher, but it was shaded and we got to watch people rock climbing. A fun option if you are looking for something to do.
Hiking Barn bluff was fun and the views of the river and Redwing were nice. If you’re looking for a more “adventurous” outing, I would recommend the short drive to Frontenac Park. The trails there are prettier and range from easy to moderate.
I used to live in Red Wing and spent many hours climbing and walking on the bluff. What a beautiful view over Red Wing and the river.
Fun walk up to top and read about local history on the way. Many trails to branch off on and spectacular view at the top.
There are several “routes” you can take to get to the top of the bluff. We choose the one that was the “shortest” and least taxing as we did it toward the end of the day. It’s not a difficult hike, but it’s also not a leisurely one. You do need to be comfortable walking on a gravel path and making your way up slight hill inclines and a number of stairs. It probably took us about 20 minutes to get to the top and the view is worth it. Sadly, it was a little overcast and a touch windy, but we still enjoyed the view from there for a while before heading down. We were there in early spring and can only imagine how beautiful it must be during the fall when the colors are changing.
We hiked the South Trail and the Prairie Trail. Both were very easy to follow and not hard at all. The views are fantastic.When we went it was very warm, but once on top of the bluff it was super windy and that cooled us off. Make sure you see both the east and west end of Barn Bluff. Keep your eyes open for eagles. We saw 3 and all were very close. Barn bluff is easy to find, just follow the signs in Red Wing. Also check out the limestone kiln. It is a neat old structure just a little way rom the barn bluff sign.
I made the scenic drive from Minneapolis via Prescott to Red Wing. Got to the bluff and chose the easier south route. Twas a fairly easy south climb though trails are not marked well at all. Made it to top and scenic overlook and enjoyed the view alot. Decided to take the North route on the way down. Big mistake, that route is very dangerous and not very scenic at this time of year since the trees block any view. One trip and you could fall 100 feet down the hill. I am a good hiker but i am surprised that trail is even open to the public considering how dangerous it is. In fact after i got halfway down i came across a road block and sign (facing the other direction) saying trail closed.
Was worth the hike! We went off trail a little bit, which was fun. The view was beautiful. It made for a great day trip with my teen!
When in the area we like to hike Barn Bluff. This recent weekend we hiked it twice. It puts you through some strain so there is a sense of accomplishment. Plus the views from the top are amazing. Whether it's an overview of the city or a distant glimpse of Lake Pepin, the scenery doesn't disappoint. My only reason for rating it four out of five is because of the challenge for any entity to maintain public facilities on limited budgets. While it is in good shape, there are places where erosion has carved some gullies that could use some maintenance. Nothing major or dangerous, but when the resources avail themselves, there is some work that can be done.
As others have said, stay on the main trails. Side and independent trails can have dangerous footing, not to mention the eco damage created by such trails.
It took me about 20 minutes at a moderate pace to climb up the bluff, and then I spent about three hours exploring the top and lower sides of it. It is definitely worth the hike and of repeated visits!
We had a bit of difficulty finding the trail but we are glad we did. We chose to hike the south side as we had heard the north side was for experienced hikers which we are not. The south side trail gets you to the same point where you can look out over the town of Red Wing. It was a beautiful view but I liked the view on the East Side of the bluff even better. We took the dead end prairie trail to that side and spent more time enjoying the view from this side. There are many wildflowers in bloom right now so that added to the scenery. The only thing we did not like about this part of the trail were the wasps. There is a type of wasp that must like the dry, sunny, dusty path. They come in and out of holes on the trail. They are very large and I am guessing a sting from one of them would be very painful. We had to stop a few times to avoid them. They didn't seem interested in us, there were just a lot of them! Another caution, there are wasp nests in the handrails of the stairs so stay toward the middle of the stairs, avoiding using the handrail if you can. All in all, we avoided getting stung and would definitely do this hike again and recommend it to Red Wing visitors.
There are many trails that are not marked as dangerous but should be. How many lives does this city need to lose before they close the dangerous trails or ATLEAST warn inexperienced hikers to stay completely clear. The Wisconsin side of the bluff is a foot wide trail which is often very slippery and if you slip you are a gonner. :(
We had a beautiful hike. When we got to the top, we went to both overlooks and the view was spectacular. Thirty five percent of the leaves had changed to red, orange and yellow. There were several barges on the river. We heard several beautiful sounding birds.
Considering this natural feature is only ".03" miles from downtown Red Wing; you can SEE it from downtown - it was hard to figure out how to get there! At first it appeared you could walk there from Main Street or via a River walk - nope. HWY 61(?) makes that impossible. There is no obvious signage. We finally decided to drive around and with little help from city's website - found it.
Our timing was unfortunate; the park and trails are going through reconstruction so many of the trails were closed. But even the few that were - signage is confusing. There were times I wasn't sure if we were or were not on the right (or open?) trail.
It is a cool thing to see and do! Would like to go back next time we are in Red Wing to explore more. Note; this is not an easy hike! Much of it is a steep incline and/or many stairs! So come prepared with good hiking shoes, some extra water and you will get a good workout!
Also; I wish the city would provide better access to this park! Even with the pandemic, people want to get out! By creating a cool river walk/bike trail to the city (under the Highway) would really make Red Wing a unique destination with connections from downtown (shopping, food) to nature!
We've hiked Barn Bluff before and our goal this time was to go as fast as possible. We did the North Loop to South Loop trails twice in under an hour (I think the two loops combined are 2.4 miles for the round trip). Fun hike with some good views where the North and South loops connect at the top of the bluff.
This is my favorite place in Red Wing. Plan to spend 1-2 hours to hike to the top and back. Bring a camera and a bottle of water. It's an easy hike for me and my kids although they need a few breaks on the climb up.
This is an easy hike and lots of parking. The views are great. I recommend the east path. Bring bug spray!
My wife and I were visiting Red Wing, Minnesota, and while my wife shopped, I hiked Barn Bluff. On the day that I hiked Barn Bluff, some of the Barn Bluff trails were being rebuilt and not available to hikers. However, my time hiking was well spent, and I got some good pictures from the scenic views from the bluff. The hike up Barn Bluff is challenging, but I made a steady pace. Not bad for a man in his sixties. I am glad that I hiked Barn Bluff, so now I can sit back and tell younger folks to go hike Barn Bluff.
This is a hugh bluff right in downtown Red Wing, Mn. If we were more adventurous we might have tried to climb to the top. We were told that it is not impossible and I am sure every senior at the local high school has done it.
We hiked the South trail and the Prairie Trail, which were pretty easy for my husband and I. I would not recommend to those that cannot handle steps or going up relatively steep inclines. Once at the top, you get a great view of downtown Red Wing, Wisconsin and the river. It took us about 20 minutes to get to the summit, and then we spent about 30 minutes taking pictures/walking the summit. We saw several eagles, and overall it was a nice outing for late morning/afternoon.
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When in the area last year I saw the large rise over Red Wing but didn't know it was Barn Bluffs until reading it on TA before coming back this year. Picked a nice day and we hiked to the top. If you have had knee ACL surgeries its a little tough on ya but its worth it when you get to the top. Great views north and south on the Mississippi and over Red Wing. Just BE CAREFUL even with good knees as several spots are steep with loose gravel and you could easily twist your ankle or knee. At the south overlook there is no railing so watch your step as its a loooong way down. I just say this if you have hyper kids running around. Don't let them off the trails or over the grassy edge on top as it drops off too. Afterall you are high up on bluffs. Appears they have closed the trails along the river due to safety conerns and people have died ignoring the closed trail. I've read about rattlesnakes but didn't see any (thank goodness). I don't doubt they are laying in the rocky bottoms by the railroad tracks. I recommend water but not that you have to carry since you'll get tired of holding it. Its all steep trails and stairs. Take a few hours and hike the bluffs you will enjoy it! Just dont be a idiot!