You’re probably used to regional trails that are just straight, boring lines of asphalt running alongside a highway. The 9 Mile Creek Regional Trail isn't that. Honestly, it’s a bit of a local miracle. Spanning about 15 miles through the heart of Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, and Richfield, this trail manages to feel like a deep-woods escape despite being minutes away from a Target or a busy office park.
It's weirdly quiet in places.
One minute you're crossing a busy intersection in Edina, and the next, you're hovering over a marsh on a massive wooden boardwalk that seems to go on forever. Most people think "suburban trail" and expect a sidewalk. This is a legitimate engineering feat. The Three Rivers Park District spent years—and a significant amount of money—threading this needle through some of the most developed real estate in Minnesota.
The Boardwalks are the Real Star
If you ask anyone who frequently bikes or runs the 9 Mile Creek Regional Trail, they’ll mention the boardwalks first. There’s a specific stretch in Edina, near the Braemar Golf Course, where the trail leaves the solid ground entirely.
It’s expensive-looking. It’s also incredibly smooth.
Because the creek meanders through low-lying wetlands, the engineers couldn't just dump gravel and call it a day. They built elevated structures. If you’re riding a road bike with skinny tires, you know the "thump-thump" of old wooden bridges. These aren't like that. They use high-quality decking that feels almost as fast as the blacktop. You’ll see Great Blue Herons just standing there, five feet from the path, completely unbothered by the cyclists zooming past. It’s sort of surreal.
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The trail isn't just one flat pancake, though. While the eastern sections through Richfield are relatively level, the western end near Hopkins starts to give your quads a bit of a wake-up call. You’ll find some rolling elevation changes that make it feel more like a workout and less like a stroll.
Where to Jump On (and Where to Park)
Parking is always the biggest headache with these long-distance trails. You don't want to just park on a random side street and hope for the best.
- Hopkins Depot: This is the western terminus. It’s a classic spot. You’ve got easy access to the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail here too, so it’s a major hub.
- Moir Park in Bloomington: This is further south and offers a great playground and pavilions if you’re bringing the kids.
- Walnut Ridge Park: Located in Edina, this is a "secret" favorite for locals. It’s nestled in a quiet neighborhood and puts you right near the best boardwalk sections.
- Nordic Center at Hyland Lake: While not technically on the 9 Mile main line, it’s a short connector away and offers massive parking lots and actual bathrooms.
Let’s talk about the Edina stretch for a second. It gets a lot of hate from people who don't like navigating street crossings. Yeah, you have to cross a few roads. No, it’s not a non-stop highway for bikes. But the way the trail winds behind the corporate buildings off 77th Street is fascinating. You see the "backside" of the city that most people never realize exists.
The Tricky Parts Nobody Mentions
If you’re planning a full out-and-back 30-mile day, you need to know about the gaps. For a long time, the 9 Mile Creek Regional Trail felt a bit disjointed. Most of those gaps are closed now, but the signage can still be a little wonky if you aren't paying attention.
Keep your eyes up near the I-494 and Highway 100 interchange area. It’s easy to miss a turn and end up on a sidewalk that leads nowhere.
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The hills near the Edina/Minnetonka border are sneaky. They aren't mountains, obviously—this is Minnesota—but they are long, gradual grinds. If you’re pulling a kid in a Burley trailer, you’re going to feel it in your lungs. Also, the trail gets busy. On a 75-degree Saturday in June, it’s basically a highway. If you’re looking for a personal speed record, go on a Tuesday morning. Otherwise, be prepared to ring your bell and pass a lot of families.
Wildlife and the Creek Itself
The creek is the namesake, but you don't always see it. Sometimes it’s a rushing stream after a big rain; other times it’s a slow-moving trickle. It’s a critical watershed for the Twin Cities.
The biodiversity is actually pretty impressive. Because the trail acts as a green corridor, animals use it to move between parks. It’s common to see deer, especially near the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve. Birdwatchers love the marshy sections for spotting egrets and various hawks.
One thing that’s kinda cool? The trail designers left a lot of the old-growth trees. You aren't just riding through a cleared-out wasteland. You’re under a canopy for a good portion of the ride, which is a lifesaver when the humidity hits in August.
Navigating the Connections
The 9 Mile Creek Regional Trail doesn't exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a much larger web.
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- To the West: You hit the Cedar Lake trail, which can take you all the way into downtown Minneapolis or out toward Victoria.
- To the South: You can link up with the Minnesota River Valley trails if you’re brave enough to navigate some of the connecting roads.
- To the East: It peters out toward Richfield, but it gets you close to the chain of lakes if you’re willing to ride through some residential neighborhoods.
Most people don't realize how much of the metro you can see without ever touching a car tire to a road. This trail is the crucial link for the southwest suburbs.
Practical Tips for Your First Ride
Don't overthink it. It’s a paved trail. But a few things will make your life easier.
First, water. There aren't as many drinking fountains as you’d think. Moir Park has them, and the Hopkins Depot usually does, but the long stretch through the Edina industrial-residential mix is pretty dry. Pack a bottle.
Second, check your brakes. Some of the wooden boardwalks can get surprisingly slick if there’s a light mist or if the dew hasn't burnt off yet. If you’re flying down a hill and hit a damp wooden curve, it’s going to be a bad time.
Third, the wind. Since the trail passes through some open marshland, the wind can really whip. Check the forecast. If there’s a 20mph gust from the West, maybe start in Hopkins and ride East so you have a tailwind on the way back.
Moving Forward with Your Visit
If you're ready to hit the pavement, start at the Hopkins Depot for the most "complete" experience.
- Download the Three Rivers Park District map on your phone before you go; cell service is fine, but having the PDF is faster when you’re at a confusing four-way stop.
- Check the trail conditions on the official website if it’s early spring, as some of the low-lying boardwalk areas can occasionally hold ice longer than the asphalt.
- Plan for a stop in downtown Hopkins after your ride. There are some great breweries and coffee shops right off the trail that are very bike-friendly.
- Bring a camera for the Edina boardwalks; the symmetry of the wood against the marsh grass is one of the most photographed spots in the regional park system.
Whether you're training for a marathon or just trying to get the kids out of the house, this trail delivers. It’s a reminder that even in a sprawling suburban landscape, you can still find a slice of quiet woods and water if you know where the pavement leads.