Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Big Woods Trail–Hidden Falls Trail, 4 sights

4.6 mi · ▲ 89 ft · 1 hr 35 min

Big Woods Trail–Hidden Falls Trail, 4 sights is a 4.6-mile out-and-back in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park near Nerstrand, MN. It is mostly level, with 89 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 67/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,139 – 1,201 ft4.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 44.34257, -93.10394
Nearest town Nerstrand, MN

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Big Woods Trail–Hidden Falls Trail, 4 sights

4.6 mi · ▲ 89 ft · 1 hr 35 min

Elevation 1,139–1,201 ft

Out & Back · Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Trailhead: 44.34257, -93.10394

Weather Sep 24: sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:08 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

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

97% dirt2% gravel1% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:03 AMSunset 7:08 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.1 mi in (~54 min). Leave by 5:54 PM for the 7:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead