Best Local Hill Repeat Spots in Minneapolis
If you are looking to add some hills into your training, Minneapolis actually has a lot of great spots to choose from. Hill repeats are a great workout for runners because they can help build strength, improve running form, and prepare you for races with more elevation.
The nice thing is that not every hill workout has to look the same. Some hills are longer with a gradual incline, while others are short and steep. Here are five local spots around Minneapolis to check out for your next hill workout.
1. West River Road
Location: Lower River Flats to Franklin Avenue
West River Road is a great option if you are looking for a longer and more gradual hill. Starting near the Lower River Flats and heading toward Franklin Avenue, you can get around 100 feet of elevation gain over 0.7 miles.
The grade is around 3–7%, so it isn’t an extremely steep climb. This makes it a good spot for longer hill repeats where you are trying to hold a consistent effort all the way up.
You also get some great views of the Mississippi River Gorge, and the wide bike and pedestrian path gives you plenty of room to run.
Best for: Longer hill repeats and building endurance on climbs.
2. Kenwood Parkway
Location: Kenwood Ice Arena to Kenwood Water Tower
Another good option for longer repeats is Kenwood Parkway. Starting near the Kenwood Ice Arena and running toward the Kenwood Water Tower gives you around 110 feet of elevation gain over one mile.
The grade changes throughout the climb, ranging from around 2–7%. Because of this, you aren’t just running up the exact same incline the entire time. You will have to adjust your effort as the hill gets easier or harder.
The route also takes you by Kenwood Pond, some of the historic homes in the area, and eventually the Kenwood Water Tower.
Best for: Longer hill repeats and practicing running on changing grades.
3. Theodore Wirth Parkway
Theodore Wirth is probably one of the best spots if you want a lot of different options. There are both paved and dirt hills throughout the area, so you can change your workout depending on what you are training for.
One of the bigger road climbs goes from Bassett Creek toward Golden Valley Road on Wirth Parkway. This section gains around 70 feet over half a mile.
If you prefer trails, you can also check out Upper Conundrum, which has around 76 feet of elevation gain over 1.1 miles. Theodore Wirth is also a great place to run in general because of the wooded trails, lakes, and scenery.
Best for: Trail runners or anyone who wants multiple hill options in one area.
4. Tower Hill Park
Location: Prospect Park
Tower Hill Park is another good spot because there are a few different ways you can get to the top.
For a shorter repeat, you can start around Malcolm Avenue and University Avenue and climb for about 0.2 miles. If you want something longer, you can start closer to the river and make the climb toward Prospect Park.
Depending on which route you choose, you can get more than 100 feet of elevation gain. At the top, you will also reach the Witch’s Hat Water Tower, one of the more recognizable landmarks in the area.
Best for: Shorter hill repeats and having different route options.
5. Hyland Hills Ski Area
If you want a much steeper hill workout, Hyland Hills is probably your best option on this list.
Some of the ski hill routes gain around 120–150 feet in only 0.2–0.3 miles. Grades can reach around 10–15%, so these are going to feel a lot different than the longer and more gradual hills on West River Road or Kenwood Parkway.
There are also some gravel maintenance roads with less aggressive grades if you don’t want to go straight up the ski hill.
It is definitely one of the harder options, but you also get a great view once you make it to the top.
Best for: Steeper hill repeats and runners looking for more of a challenge.
Which Hill Should You Choose?
It really depends on what you are trying to get out of the workout.
If you want longer, more controlled repeats, West River Road or Kenwood Parkway are probably your best options. If you are training more on trails, Theodore Wirth gives you a lot of choices. For shorter and steeper efforts, Tower Hill and Hyland Hills are both worth checking out.
You also don’t need to sprint every hill. Try to stay controlled, keep good running form, and make sure you are giving yourself enough recovery between each repeat.
Hill workouts can be tough, but adding them into your training every once in a while is a great way to switch things up and build strength at the same time.
Need Help From a Coach?
From 5k to 100 mile ultramarathon, PRG’s coaching team has nationally certified coaches with experience to help you reach your trail running, road running, and cross country running goals. Book a free Run Coaching Consultation online at www.performancerungym.com/run-coaching
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