I have went from one end to the other and found the shade this trail has saves on the sun block ,which i don't care to much for ,it has grades wich aren't to bad as im a large man and 74 , a fat man, bike and hills don't do good togeather, but i enjoy this trial very much .There are some eating places along the way ,your cell phone don't get out the best in a lot of area but who needs phones when your out and getting away form it all .The trail is kept up well as far as im concern some bridges are not the best on the aproches ,the road bed is of a fine gravle of some kind and is a good on around 6 to 8 feet wide, and don't forget the toco run on thursday nights in menola a large amount of riders do this every week and fun for those who like this tipe of eating and refreshments from the north head it is 10 miles about 5 up and 5 down and you can go to silver city and come back north on your bike only 4 mile one way . You'll love it so do it some time.

I'd best some up this experience as similar to riding the Katy Trail, but without the fantastic scenery that trail offers in spades in its central section. Many bridges to cross and endless cornfields. I rode sections (about half) of the trail over a two-day period. I started with Coin to Blanchard. This must be the most desolate and least-ridden section as no other riders or walkers were encountered. Trees were down across the trail just south of Coin but I went through them and soldiered on. There was much tree debris on the trail that I constantly had to dodge. Don't even think of using a road bike here. Upon reaching Blanchard, I chose to ride the paved road that parallels the trail back to Coin; I encountered no vehicles travelling on the road when returning. I noticed more trees were across the trail just north of Coin so I called it an evening at point. Someone should put up a sign in Blanchard indicating the "trail ends here".

The next day I put on a Shenandoah and rode to Imogene, then back and rode south to Hwy 2 and back to Shenandoah (30.61 miles). The trail is paved going north out of Shenandoah for about a mile, which helps. There is a charming Irish bar at Imogene and a historic Catholic church up the hill from the trail in Imogene that's worth a visit if open. A meal or home-made beer at the Depot Restaurant in Shenendoah is worth stopping for.

As this was a Tuesday, I had to ride to Mineola for the famous "taco night". I came in from the south putting on at Malvern; RT to Mineola and back is 26.72 miles. Again, a section (about a mile of so) is paved leaving Malvern. This is a nice scenic ride and many others were using the trail. Eating at Mineola Steakhouse was cool (I had a table to myself outside) but I would recommend getting there early (before 6:00 pm) to avoid the crowds. Silver City, a tidy small town, also has places to eat right next to the trail if you don't wish to go all the way to Mineola.

I live in Prairie Village Kansas and look forward to returning to ride the remaining sections. Too bad Missouri chose not to save their section of the rail right-of-way; if so the trail could have been about twice as long as it is currently. But I am thankful for what was saved.

The Trace remains as beautiful as ever. I've been riding it since 1995 and continue to enjoy its beauty and near complete solitude in certain stretches. Currently I'm walking with my new adopted dog varying iterations between MP 405, Wabash Avenue, to MP 401 not far beyond Dumfries and no longer mapped formally. I've ridden between the trailhead and Malvern extensively. The varying terrain, backyards, old railroad bridges, flora and fauna are endlessly fascinating.

Trail etiquette is generally very good although some cyclists still do not announce an imminent pass. With the quality of bikes these days as well as the excellent trail condition, it's difficult to hear them coming until it's almost too late to react.

I'm from California and have lived both north and south as well as in St. Louis both with vast trail systems or on-road riding opportunities. I survived the Downieville Downhill. Still, discovering the Trace just a mile from my house has been a long-term positive experience not found even in areas with better climate.

As an aside, the path also winds from the Trailhead north through west Council Bluffs to Playland Park where you can ride or walk over the new Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge across the Missouri River. This is a beautiful suspension bridge that ends in a pedestrian mall on the Omaha side. There are further paved paths north and south of the bridge although they are currently stubs. There's a fun restaurant right at the base and you're quite close to trendy shops and restaurants [primarily evening dining] a few blocks south in the Old Market.

"After reading the previous reviews, I expect a rough and difficult trail. I found just the opposite. We rode from the Council Bluffs trailhead and experienced a very enjoyable ride. Yes, there were a few bridges that had nailheads showing and a few gopher holes, but overall the trail was in good shape. We only rode for 20 miles so I can only speak for the portion we rode. The first 6 miles was up hill gradually, but was great coming back. "

"We drove up from Kansas City to ride this 63 mile rail-trail through Iowa. We went all the way from Blanchard to Council Bluffs on Saturday and back to Blanchard on Sunday.

From reading past posts on this trail, I see that most of the negative issues from past posts have been addressed by the people who take care of the trail. For instance the town of Coin now has water and a restroom in a park right next to the trail. A prior post complained of no services.

This is a wild trail ride for bike riders who travel on flatter trails or through more populated areas. This means that you need to be prepared for a much more self sustaining ride.

The ride is pretty hard due to the hill grades. We averaged only 8 mile per hour with luggage packs. We normally ride better than 10 miles an hour on other rail trails. So it was 8 hours going and 9 hours getting back. The pay back on the hills were numerous down hills of a mile or so where you did not have to peddle at all.

The places to get water are pretty much limited to Coin, Shanadoah, Malvern, and Council Bluffs. Riders should bring enough water to last them 3 or 4 hours on a hot day. You do not want to get dehydrated on this remote trail.

There are critters that have dug a series of bowling ball sized holes in the center crack in the trail in several stretches, particularly north of Coin. You have to keep an eye open or you could get thrown off your bike hitting these holes. There is also a pair of cattle guards at one trail crossing that you should walk over.

The transition from trail to bridges are sometimes 3 or more inches and could give you a pinch flat, so you have to be careful on and off the bridges. I would suggest a rider bring more than one spare inner tube. If you have one flat you will be paranoid about getting a second one.

You occationally broad head nails sticking up 1/2 inch or more on bridges which could tear your tire and no inner tube will save you. You would need a new tire.

There is little or no cell phone service for some stretches. You are really alone. Ride with a friend. Be prepared.

Having said all of that, the ride really is beautiful. The rolling hills give you great vistas of countryside. People have ""adopted"" stretches of the trail and have kept it up. Signs tell you who has adopted the trail as you travel.

There is no debris on the trail. We could see fresh tractor tread prints where equipment had recently hauled fallen trees off the trail and we saw big tractors mowing the shoulders as we rode. It was really wonderful to see so much care taken to this linear park. The only negative is that the less used southern end of the trail is weedy compared to the north end.

There are lots of rivers and creeks that are crossed with bridges and several of them have very nice views.

In Shanadoah, we stopped at the Depot Deli which is also a brewery. It is in a rehabbed train depot on the intersecting rail easement in town (on Railroad Ave). The service and food were great. The staff brought us a big pitcher of ice water when we came in and sat down.

Malvern has an ice cream parlor called Pat's that you can see from the trail.

We stayed at the Western Inn in Council Bluffs. You can ride to it on a trail parallel to Highway 92 through the School for the Deaf next to the trail head and then up the bike trail next to Valley View Road up to Madison Avenue.

The trail head at Blanchard was somewhat confusing since there were no signs. We found the trail and parked our car at the top of the hill by the post office.

We found the ""permit"" stations in neglect. Most had no forms, envelopes, or permits. Only cobwebs. We found one with a supply of mailing envelopes in a baggy and will mail the money to the trail.

This was a great ride over all. It took 17 hours to complete and was one heck of a ""spin class""."

"The Wabash Trail is a wonderful ride. But, please, be careful as the trail does have some washouts and there are sometimes branches down on the trail."

"I would have to agree with other reviews that if you're coming from the north, tacking on the miles to get to Blanchard might be a disappointment. Less than 20 miles more and the right of way hits Maryville, MO, a significant ending point and my college town. Has anyone ever looked into extending it to make the destination more worthwhile? They are developing the trail through town here in Maryville...why not to Blanchard? "

"We rode the trail from Council Bluffs to Imogene and back on September 12, 2002. It's a great ride, but I want to alert riders to some large holes in trail just after railroad mile marker 382. The holes are long, narrow and deep. And, as they parallel the trail, they are perfect for catching a bike tire and causing a nasty spill. Luckily most of these are located near the center of the path, but some are partly hidden by vegetation.

Several of the bridges in this area and closer to Imogene have large nails that are sticking up from the bridge decking. Some over an inch. Hitting one of these could ruin your ride.

Be watchful and ride safe. "

"In contrast to the reviewer of 10/17/2000, we love the stretch of the Trace from Shenandoah to Blanchard. The surface is equal to the north part of the Trace. A beautiful long bridge with a great view about 5 miles north of Coin. Three new guest houses in Coin and Blanchard, along with a new Hotel Cafe in Blanchard have been added during 2001. Camping facilities are available in both communities. The trees are arched over the Trace in many spots. The Trace is great for cross-country skiing, also. We use the southern half of the Trace frequently, and have near isolation, except for the deer and rabbits. "

"This is a great trail running over sixty miles through southwest Iowa. Its a bit on the rough side (thats what gives it its charm), so a hybrid or cyclo-cross at least should be ridden. Mountain Bikes are no problem. The part I do the most is from Council Bluffs to the West Nishnabotna River (4 miles south of Malvern). It works out to be just over 50 miles round trip). I know it like the back of my hand. The first two sections, CB to Mineola and Mineola to Silver City are the most scenic and have the steepest bluffs, good work out! The whole trail is crushed limestone which also makes for a good work out. Malvern to Shenandoah and Imogene to Coin are also good sections of the trail to ride. There are many small towns well placed along the trail about every ten to fifteen miles or less in some cases, so its easy to hop on and off anywhere along the trail."

I'ts great - love that out-in-the-country atmosphere! Why don't you list it for SW Iowa? I had to search with trail name!

"If you have the chance to ride the Trace on a Thursday evening, the steakhouse in Minneola, IA is worth visiting. Mineola is only 10 miles from the Council Bluffs trailhead. Taco night features good food and drink and attracts large numbers of riders. Don't forget to bring your lights. "

"The Wabash has come a long way, but it still has a ways to go before I'd agree with Outside Magazine's glowing review.

The first 10 miles or so out of Council Bluffs is very scenic, through the geologically significant Loess Hills of Western Iowa.

In Silver City there is a nice ice cream/sandwich shop. Malvern has a decent saloon ... as does Imogene, the next town down the trail. Past Imogene, the trail becomes flat as a pancake and not very scenic at all.

Shenandoah offers motels, taverns and a highly overrated ""brew pub"" in an old rail depot. The service there is rude, the food mediocre at best and the beer tasted like it was made in a bathtub. If you make it as far as Shenandoah, go into town and eat at the buffet/bar on main street.

I would not suggest venturing past Shenandoah. The trail is too new and too unmaintained to make the 20 mile trip to the Missouri border worth it. On top of which, the last two ""towns"" on the trail (Coin and Blanchard) offer nothing as far as water or provisions.

All in all, I'd rate the Wabash about two out of five stars. Ride the 30 miles to Imogene, drink at The Shamrock, camp behind the bar, then ride back to Council Bluffs. Anything more would be a waste of time."

"This is one very sweet ride. The trail is well marked, well maintained, and attracts large numbers of riders. I have only ridden a 30 mile stretch of the trail starting from council bluffs Iowa, but plan many more.

One thing I would like to say to the people of Iowa; you have no idea how lucky you are. I'm a full time law student from Tennessee. A State where we have only TWO rails to trails paths that allow biking. One of those trails is within minutes of my home. It is the longest in the State, and is all of FOUR miles long. The local residents are opposed to expanding this trail as they are afraid of the ""bad elements"" a rails to trails ride would bring onto ""their"" property.

I wish they could see what has been done in Iowa, and the kind of riders such a trail really attracts.

"