Just as when a gardener starts poring over seed catalogs in anticipation of spring, the end of winter is a great time to do some research on trails you’d like to visit when the warm weather comes. If you’re a cross-country skier, you will already be tuned into the trail options around you – but if you’re not, now is the time to think like one.
Many people think of using Nordic walking poles on roads, paved trails and hiking trails. But I believe to really enjoy the finest Nordic walking, using your poles on Nordic ski trails is the best!! Nordic walking grew out of Nordic skiing, after all. Why are these trails ideal? They are typically covered with low-growing grass, making for a comfortable pole plant. They are usually WIDER than other walking/hiking trails, reducing the risk that your pole will catch on vegetation and allowing you to walk side-by-side with others. They can offer hills that are not too steep, but provide a good challenge, and along with that, some beautiful views. Walking on cross country ski trails gets you out in the natural world, with all its wonders.
You can find cross country ski trails through city and county park brochures and websites. An excellent resource for trails in the Upper Midwest is skinnyski.com (go to their Trails section, then click on Ski Trails for their excellent map).
I love to cross country ski myself, so last weekend headed out of town and discovered some wonderful ski trails in the Lake Pepin and SW Wisconsin areas.
The trails of Great Bluffs State Park, just south of Winona, provided just what was promised – some wonderful views overlooking the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin. I am looking forward to walking there especially in the spring and fall, when the foliage should still allow many nice views of the river.
Skiing at Great Bluffs State Park, MN
View from Great Bluffs State Park
In Wisconsin, just south of Sparta, I stayed at the delightful Justin Trails Resort – a former working farm that now offers 10 miles of ski and snowshoeing trails, and a wonderful B&B! This is an excellent place to relax and ramble as far as you like without having to drive anywhere. The trails go through wooded hillsides, and when you reach the hilltops, there are exhilarating views of the rolling hills all around. I will be offering a class there later this spring (stay tuned!!), but encourage you to visit any time for some R&R (in my book, Recreation and Relaxation 
)
On the trails at Justin Trails
Justin Trails Resort
Tags: cross country skiing, Great Bluffs State Park, Justin Trails Resort, Nordic skiing, Sparta
March 2, 2011 at 7:35 pm |
What a wonderful place! It looks like you’re having an active winter, Amy. I hope we can Nordic walk together again in 2011. Terri
March 3, 2011 at 10:46 pm |
Thanks for visiting Terri! I’ve been thinking of you and look forward to catching up on our next walk together! Am not sure when I’ll be re-starting the group walks, but probably once more of this snow goes away!