barn bluff

The more difficult route is dangeour in the snow, but the river view was lovely. The view from the summit is also excellent; you can see the city, hills, and river valley.

So neat to see from the top. The kids really like to climb it. I like that there is an easier path and a more challenging one.

This was a beautiful hike, especially the north trail but not for the inexperienced. Younger children not advised on that trail. The rest of the trails were nice but rugged in areas. The north trail consists of the smooth bluffs, were you might see a few rock climbers like we did. Awesome!

The view from the top of Barn Bluff, which overlooks the Mississippi is nothing less than spectacular. However, please be aware that the hike up to the top is somewhat challenging and bring your hiking shoes and your water bottle. And don't forget your camera too!

We had a beautiful day for our hike. The views from the summit were lovely. Note that the north trail is closed now (October 2014) due to hazardous trail conditions. Check before attempting to hike it. South trail is open and easy. North trail when open requires some expertise.

My wife and I hiked most of the trails and really enjoyed ourselves. The views were great from both ends. The hike was only moderately strenuous and did not take very long. Highly recommended!

We had a most wonderful time. The top of the bluff gave us a gorgeous view up and down the Mississippi. Saw many rock climber trying out the east walls.

My family and I really enjoyed this place. It was a fairly short hike, but we did go up the North trail and down the South side. We enjoyed the North trail much more as it was a little more challenging while the south side is a bit safer for younger ones. It was worth the brief stop to check out the beautiful view of the city.

Good hike up the north trail which is closed but everybody uses it anyway and a lot of nice people on the trail. Great views all around.

I made the scenic drive from Minneapolis via Prescott to Red Wing. Got to the bluff and chose the easier south route. Twas a fairly easy south climb though trails are not marked well at all. Made it to top and scenic overlook and enjoyed the view alot. Decided to take the North route on the way down. Big mistake, that route is very dangerous and not very scenic at this time of year since the trees block any view. One trip and you could fall 100 feet down the hill. I am a good hiker but i am surprised that trail is even open to the public considering how dangerous it is. In fact after i got halfway down i came across a road block and sign (facing the other direction) saying trail closed.

We had a bit of difficulty finding the trail but we are glad we did. We chose to hike the south side as we had heard the north side was for experienced hikers which we are not. The south side trail gets you to the same point where you can look out over the town of Red Wing. It was a beautiful view but I liked the view on the East Side of the bluff even better. We took the dead end prairie trail to that side and spent more time enjoying the view from this side. There are many wildflowers in bloom right now so that added to the scenery. The only thing we did not like about this part of the trail were the wasps. There is a type of wasp that must like the dry, sunny, dusty path. They come in and out of holes on the trail. They are very large and I am guessing a sting from one of them would be very painful. We had to stop a few times to avoid them. They didn't seem interested in us, there were just a lot of them! Another caution, there are wasp nests in the handrails of the stairs so stay toward the middle of the stairs, avoiding using the handrail if you can. All in all, we avoided getting stung and would definitely do this hike again and recommend it to Red Wing visitors.

nice hike to oversee redwing, great views, well worth hike,,if not into hiking, try memorial mountian,,,, take water though

We try to climb the bluff every year we go over that has been 10 years now! Take your water bottle and enjoy a few hours in the outdoors take your time and enjoy the climb to the top! it has narrow trails at time so be careful if you have small children! Could be slippery when wet, and make sure you have sunscreen and skeeter repellant al in all a great trip to take most of all do not forget your camera amazing pictures!!

We have climbed the bluff twice. Once on the easier trail, and once on the experienced hikers trail(EHT). Both were fun. Suggest the EHT is truly more comfortable for those with experience. Its often very narrow. Slippery when wet. And very steep if you slip/fall off the trail. Take water, suntan lotion, and bug spray. We enjoyed the views and the hikes. Take a camera & don't be in a hurry!

Start at the East end, There are stairs up this end. Each stair has the name of the person who donated it. Bring a camera and binoculars, there are spectacular views when you reach the west end. You can see barges on the Mississippi River. If you look on the west horizon on a clear day you can see the planes landing at the Minneapolis Airport. Also there are great views of the city of Red Wing. This is a hike not to be missed. On a hot day be sure you bring water to keep hydrated.