Harmony–Preston Valley: Preston paved return
Minnesota · Rail-trail
From the Preston trailhead, follow the signed state trail toward Isinours Junction for up to one mile, then retrace. Turn before an uncomfortable crossing or closed section.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Preston · Minnesota
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Paved designated state bicycle trail
- Road crossings
- Designated separated shared path only. Stop at street/driveway crossings; no ordinary-road detour.
- Elevation
- DNR describes the northern two-thirds as generally level former railroad. Local bridge and access transitions remain; no surveyed maximum grade. The strenuous southern Harmony incline is excluded.
- Starting location
- Preston public state-trail access at Trailhead Park, Fillmore Street at Center Street, Preston, MN 55965
Conservative selected distance cap; turn at half the listed return distance or earlier. Not a GPS measurement; parking walks are extra.
Local event publisher’s Trailhead Park location reference, not a surveyed parking entrance.
Trailhead
Preston public state-trail access at Trailhead ParkFillmore Street at Center Street, Preston, MN 55965
DNR identifies public Preston trail parking reached from Highway 52 along Fillmore Street. The local historical-society page identifies the trailhead area at Center and Fillmore. Use the trail-side public lot and avoid an unnecessary crossing of busy Fillmore Street to the historic campus. No numbered entrance address or surveyed stall is claimed.
Address source ↗Harmony–Preston Valley: Preston paved return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-11-06. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A short shared-path outing from Preston, with a flexible turnaround for a relaxed recreational ride.
Start and parking
Start: Preston public state-trail access at Trailhead Park, Fillmore Street at Center Street, Preston, MN 55965.
DNR identifies public Preston trail parking reached from Highway 52 along Fillmore Street. The local historical-society page identifies the trailhead area at Center and Fillmore. Use the trail-side public lot and avoid an unnecessary crossing of busy Fillmore Street to the historic campus. No numbered entrance address or surveyed stall is claimed.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 2 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: From the Preston trailhead, follow the signed state trail toward Isinours Junction for up to one mile, then retrace. Turn before an uncomfortable crossing or closed section.
This selects the northern rail-corridor portion. The full trail is 22 miles; the southern approach into Harmony has a strenuous climb and is not this ride. Root River branches are separate outings.
Conservative selected distance cap; turn at half the listed return distance or earlier. Not a GPS measurement; parking walks are extra. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Paved designated state bicycle trail. DNR describes the northern two-thirds as generally level former railroad. Local bridge and access transitions remain; no surveyed maximum grade. The strenuous southern Harmony incline is excluded.
Yield to walkers, slow for blind bends and stop at every street, driveway and parking crossing. Wet boardwalks, loose gravel, flooding, debris and ice can change suitability. Turn back rather than bypass a closure or enter motor traffic.
Hours, costs and access
Current trail-specific daily hours not established. Use daylight and posted signs; winter conditions can make cycling unsuitable. DNR states no trail fees or passes required.
Reviewed November 6, 2026. Public path access and bicycle use are supported by the cited sources. No same-day condition clearance or universal e-bike class permission is claimed. Follow current signs and manager notices.
Map and Directions
The map is a published facility or corridor reference, not a surveyed parking entrance. Directions use the named public street destination above. The parking entrance and individual stalls have not been independently checked.