Trail development in Winsted is defined by a master trail plan adopted by the city in 2008. A major focus of that plan is setting up a city network of trails to accommodate traffic from the Luce Line Trail into town.

The Luce Line Trail is a state-established path that is a former railroad line and has been maintained by the DNR since 1976. It runs 63 miles, from the western metro suburb of Plymouth to the small town of Cosmos in west-central Minnesota.

It crosses the southern end of Winsted, with the only break in the entire trail being a gap caused by Winsted city development. Because of the separation, there are two entry/exit points in town, one on the east side and one on the west side.

Closing the gap in the Luce Line Trail has been a subject of discussion between city council members and the DNR for many years. The City of Winsted has negotiated with the DNR, as well as a property owner, several times to obtain a piece of property that would connect the trail, but to-date, the attempts have not been successful.

However, there is an advantage to having the gap in the Luce Line Trail in Winsted. The only way visitors can connect to the trail is by going through town.

Efforts are being made by the city to entice visitors to the lakefront promenade, parks, and the downtown areas of Winsted from those Luce Line entry points.

Where the trail enters Winsted by Southview Park on the east, new signage was added in 2010, titled “Winsted Byway.” The signage can be found throughout town along the trail, and it directs visitors north to Mill Reserve Park and the lakefront promenade. Plans are being considered to create a plaza entry in this area, as well, to provide trail users with seating and landscaping to make it more inviting.

A paved city trail through town, along the north side of Main Avenue, where pedestrians previously had to use the street, was completed in 2010. Although the path doesn’t connect the gap in the trail, it’s one of the city’s efforts to provide a safe walkway through town for trail users.

The Luce Line Trail entry on the west side of Winsted is south of the Cenex Winsted Farmers Co-op, on the west side of McLeod County Road 1. There has been discussion regarding a proposed Luce Line State Trail paving project beginning at this entry/exit point in Winsted. The project would include paving a 25-mile stretch of this western portion of the Luce Line State Trail that connects the cities of Cedar Mills, Hutchinson, Silver Lake, and Winsted.

The promoters of the project suggest the paved surface on the trail’s western half would increase the trail’s usage by providing for biking, inline skating, walking, jogging, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Part of the proposal includes a parallel horse trail that would allow additional trail usage.

One of several Luce Line Trail Byway maps displayed along the trail, showing visitors the trail’s connections.