Altoona, IA Cross Country Skiing Trails and Maps

288 Reviews

Looking for the best Cross Country Skiing trails around Altoona?

Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Altoona, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
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Type
17 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Chichaqua Valley Trail

29.7 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Clive Greenbelt Trail

7.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Gay Lea Wilson Trail

20.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Great American Rail-Trail

3743.9 mi
State: DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

High Trestle Trail

31.74 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Raccoon River Valley Trail

88.2 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Summerset Trail

12 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Volksweg Trail

12.5 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Cinder Path

13.5 mi
State: IA
Cinder, Crushed Stone

Great Western Trail (IA)

18.4 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Heart of Iowa Nature Trail

25.8 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Rock Creek Recreation Bike Trail

5.8 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Galloping Goose Trail (IA)

0.5 mi
State: IA
Ballast, Dirt, Grass

Hubbard Prairie Trail

1.3 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Praeri Rail Trail

10.5 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Reumpers Nature Trail

0.3 mi
State: IA
Cinder

South Tama Recreation Trail

5.6 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone, Dirt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The paved Chichaqua Valley Trail crosses nearly 30 miles of central Iowa farmland between the northeastern Des Moines suburbs and the rural community of Baxter. The trail’s name, pronounced...
IA 29.7 mi Asphalt
While Greater Des Moines is flush with multiuse trails, one of the paved pathways running through the suburb of Clive really stands out. Offering a string of trailside parks and fun twists and turns...
IA 7.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Nestled in the suburbs of Des Moines and traveling through the towns of Ankeny, Berwick, Pleasant Hill, and Altoona, the Gay Lea Wilson Trail is named for a local advocate who first conceived of a...
IA 20.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY 3743.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Overview The High Trestle Trail, which spans 31.4 miles across Iowa, is one of the most pristine and highly trafficked trails in Iowa—even at night. The trail’s popularity is largely due to its...
IA 31.74 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Closure Notice: A section of the trail from Linden to Redfield is closed until Spring/Summer 2024 due to bridge repair. See RaccoonRiverValleyTrail.org or the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association...
IA 88.2 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Summerset Trail links the two central Iowa communities of Indianola and Carlisle, both of which have embraced the trail, including providing helpful signs at each end with clear directions for...
IA 12 mi Asphalt
Who says Iowa doesn’t have hills?! The winding route of the Volksweg Trail sticks mainly to the rolling hills and scenic viewpoints from Lake Red Rock all the way to the town of Pella. Dutch...
IA 12.5 mi Asphalt
The Cinder Path in southern Iowa is notable as the state’s first rail-to-trail conversion. Following a shady route past farms and wetlands along the Chariton River between Chariton and Humeston for...
IA 13.5 mi Cinder, Crushed Stone
Overview Built on a former section of the Chicago Great Western Railroad (built in 1893), the Great Western Trail spans 18.4 miles between Des Moines and Martensdale.  About the Route The...
IA 18.4 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Heart of Iowa Nature Trail traverses classic Iowa farmland along the former route of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road. The trail transitions...
IA 25.8 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass
The Rock Creek Recreation Bike Trail is a paved multi-use trail that provides a connection between the small, charming college town of Grinnell and Rock Creek State Park, a popular destination for...
IA 5.8 mi Asphalt
The Galloping Goose Trail is so called for the nickname of the old railroad that once ran through the area and upon which the trail sits. As of 2012, about 0.5 mile of trail have been built northeast...
IA 0.5 mi Ballast, Dirt, Grass
The Hubbard Prairie Trail is a one-mile rail-trail extending from the northwest edge of the small town of Hubbard in central Iowa to the Meier Wildlife Refuge. The refuge offers a pleasant place to...
IA 1.3 mi Crushed Stone
The Praeri Rail Trail runs on an old section of railroad right-of-way between Zearing and Roland in central Iowa. Sections of the trail near Roland and McCallsburg have a crushed limestone surface,...
IA 10.5 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass
Although short, the Reumpers Nature Trail runs under a beautiful canopy of trees along the former Chicago Northwestern Railroad in Radcliffe, a small town in central Iowa.
IA 0.3 mi Cinder
The South Tama Recreation Trail connects the adjacent towns of Tama and Toledo in Tama County, Iowa. The original section of the trail, a 1 mile stretch built on an abandoned railroad corridor, opened...
IA 5.6 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt

Recent Trail Reviews

Beaver Creek Greenbelt Trail

great trail!

May, 2024 by yjj8ggvqzd

This is a great trail as you’re walking on it. It’s hard to believe that you’re kinda in the city still. The only thing is bicyclist sometimes do not let you know when they are coming up on you. Other than that, it’s a very clean and very nice trail.

Johnston Interurban Trail

great ride

May, 2024 by sj442spt2r

This trail is in great shape. Once you get to 62nd, you can go west to 62nd, and then around Terra Park. Or you can continue north up to 70th, which has a wide bike path parallel to the road.

Northwest 62nd Avenue Trail

Safe connecting trail

May, 2024 by sj442spt2r

Great width of concrete to ride on- links to great trails around Terra park.

Accordion

Linn Creek Recreational Trail

pretty nice

December, 2023 by cthibalt

Rode this trail in December seems really nice to me. I almost didn’t go because of the negative reviews, I guess these items have been repaired because I had no complaints.

Raccoon River Valley Trail

Jefferson to Herndon rough ride

September, 2023 by thepetpal

We rode yesterday from the depot in Jefferson, south through Cooper to Herndon. The first four miles were lovely and smooth on concrete. Then the asphalt began and was a bit rough until Cooper. The next five miles south to Herndon were extremely bad, as in, I don't care to ever ride that section again! Hopefully they can get enough money for resurfacing in the near future.

Red Rock Prairie Trail

I had to drive around to find the parking for this trail. It's at the water tower...corner of Monroe and York. There is a Porta potty at the beginning of the trail. I don't see any shade but it's only in the 70s so going to give it a try.

September, 2023 by dansarani

I had to drive around to find the parking for this trail. It's at the water tower...corner of Monroe and York. There is a Porta potty at the beginning of the trail. I don't see any shade but it's only in the 70s so going to give it a try.

Volksweg Trail

Absolutely beautiful trail!

September, 2023 by niffenegger6

We entered from the west end, not far from the Cordoba Tower. We rode with our granddaughter on a tag along. We only went about 6 miles and turned around as that is good for a four year-old. The trails were smooth with gentle hills and great views of the lake. The tower is a fun added bonus. We will return later in the fall.

Raccoon River Valley Trail

Beautiful Scenery But resurface needed

September, 2023 by rodney7karen7_tl

Really great trail, scenery very nice, distance farmland and nice parks but the section from Yale to halfway to Jefferson needs to be resurfaced, It was so annoying we did Not finish the last half to Jefferson… every 10 yards there was a horizontal, 2 inch indention across the trail….we turned around instead of finishing the trail to Jefferson. Such beautiful scenery. Please repair!

High Trestle Trail

Great Trail, Great Experience - A Must See Trail

August, 2023 by jsafret

This was the first stop in our 2023 "Tour de Great Plains & Colorado" bike trip. We rode this trail east 10 miles from the western most trailhead "Woodward, Iowa". The trail was perfect concrete about 10 feet wide and mostly flat. The trestle is amazing and Iowa is beautiful. The Flat Tire Lounge in Madrid is a perfect place to stop and grab a bite to eat and a drink. It was a wonderful day and a great experience. We're off to a great start!!!

Raccoon River Valley Trail

Nice Ride!! Lot of corn and beans!!

August, 2023 by mrmikesch

We camped in Springbrook State Park, and rode the trail on three consecutive days. Day one: we drove to the trail head at Herndon, and did an out and back to Minburn. 48 miles. The section was very smooth and flat. Day two: we drove to Yale and rode from Yale to Linden and back. 24 miles. As of August 7 2023, the trail was closed 2 miles east of Linden for bridge work. Since the mileage on this day was shorter, we rode hwy 25 from the Yale Trail, head back to Springbrook, State, Park, 7 miles. Very little traffic and good road. Day three: We rode from Yale to Jefferson and back. 34 miles. This section between Yale and Jefferson was still paved, but bumpy. Least favorite section.

River's Edge Trail (IA)

Great trail, but..........

August, 2023 by rkc1954

Great trail, but doubt if a lot of us will live long enough to see it finished. Started in 2017 in Marshall county, been working on it for 7 years but only 3 miles done. At this rate, it will take about 25 years to get to the Hardin County line, (about 12 miles) where they will take over for their share. I believe Hardin county has maybe 5 miles paved. There's a large bridge over the Iowa River north of Marshalltown which needs replaced to carry the ambulances. The trail is concrete and 10 feet wide.

Great Western Trail (IA)

Decent trail

August, 2023 by jemerson977

Mostly asphalt that could use some work. Looks like they will be resurfacing the section south of Cumming fall of 2023. The Chicken and the Iowa Distillery are definitely worth the ride.

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