AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Hidden Falls–Basswood Trail, 8 sights

5.8 mi · ▲ 287 ft · 2 hr 5 min

Hidden Falls–Basswood Trail, 8 sights is a 5.8-mile out-and-back in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park near Nerstrand, MN. The route reaches Hidden Falls. It climbs 287 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 60/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,056 – 1,207 ft6.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Prairie Trail 44.32739, -93.11374
Nearest town Nerstrand, MN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Hidden Falls–Basswood Trail, 8 sights

5.8 mi · ▲ 287 ft · 2 hr 5 min

Elevation 1,055–1,206 ft

Out & Back · Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Trailhead: Prairie Trail · 44.32739, -93.11374

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Prairie Trail, heading N.
  2. 0.4 miBear left onto Big Woods Trail, heading N.
  3. 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
  4. 0.4 miBear right onto Maple Trail, heading N.
  5. 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
  6. 250 ftContinue straight onto White Oak Trail, heading E.
  7. 0.3 miSharp right, heading N.
  8. 300 ftBear right onto Hidden Falls Trail, heading NW.
  9. 0.4 miPass Hidden Falls.
  10. 200 ftTurn left onto Beaver Trail, heading NE.
  11. 1 miTurn right onto White Oak Trail, heading E.
  12. 0.5 miTurn right, heading SW.
  13. 250 ftBear left onto Maple Trail, heading S.
  14. 350 ftTurn left onto Basswood Trail, heading W.
  15. 0.6 miBear right onto Fox Trail, heading SE.
  16. 0.3 miTurn right onto Ironwood Trail, heading SW.
  17. 0.5 miBear left onto Big Woods Trail, heading W.
  18. 0.3 miBear right onto Prairie Trail, heading S.
  19. 0.3 miArrive 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/hidden-falls-basswood-trail-out-back-8-sights-9-km

Trail surface

99% dirt1% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:04 AMSunset 7:06 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~3 min). Leave by 6:43 PM for the 7:06 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 11 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Prairie Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Nerstrand, Minnesota