AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Basswood Trail–Big Woods Trail, 6 sights

6.1 mi · ▲ 113 ft · 2 hr 5 min

Basswood Trail–Big Woods Trail, 6 sights is a 6.1-mile out-and-back in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park near Nerstrand, MN. It is mostly level, with 113 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 62/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,139 – 1,207 ft6.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Lane A 2-36 44.34393, -93.10360
Nearest town Nerstrand, MN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Basswood Trail–Big Woods Trail, 6 sights

6.1 mi · ▲ 113 ft · 2 hr 5 min

Elevation 1,139–1,208 ft

Out & Back · Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Trailhead: Lane A 2-36 · 44.34393, -93.10360

Weather Sep 25: sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:06 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on To Hidden Falls Trail, heading NW.
  2. 350 ftSharp left onto Hidden Falls Trail, heading S.
  3. 0.1 miSharp right, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftBear left, heading W.
  5. 300 ftSharp left onto White Oak Trail, heading S.
  6. 0.4 miBear left onto Maple Trail, heading S.
  7. 0.2 miBear left onto Big Woods Trail, heading S.
  8. 0.3 miBear right, heading E.
  9. 0.3 miBear right onto Prairie Trail, heading S.
  10. 1 miReach Hidden Falls Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 1.3 miTurn right onto Big Woods Trail, heading E.
  12. 0.3 miTurn left onto Fox Trail, heading S.
  13. 0.9 miBear left onto Basswood Trail, heading N.
  14. 0.6 miTurn right onto Maple Trail, heading NW.
  15. 350 ftBear right, heading NW.
  16. 250 ftContinue straight onto White Oak Trail, heading NW.
  17. 0.3 miSharp right, heading NE.
  18. 300 ftBear right onto Hidden Falls Trail, heading E.
  19. 0.1 miSharp right onto To Hidden Falls Trail, heading SE.
  20. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/basswood-trail-big-woods-trail-out-back-6-sights-10-km

Trail surface

99% dirt1% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:04 AMSunset 7:06 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.0 mi in (~74 min). Leave by 5:32 PM for the 7:06 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Lane A 2-36 Trailhead

Hikes near Nerstrand, Minnesota