Cedar Valley Nature Trail:
Iowa
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Description:
The Cedar Valley Nature Trail follows along an abandoned railroad right-of-way of the old Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern, an interurban railroad system established in the early 1900s. The 52-mile trail is a linear park that courses through the Cedar River bottomlands among forested riverbanks, rolling farmlands and open vistas. Portions of the northern half of the trail is asphalt; the remaining trail has limestone chip surface.

Occasional stream valleys and small towns break up the route, and the trail is an excellent place to spot wildlife, including deer, badgers, wild turkey and song birds. You'll also find wildflowers and historical landmarks, archeological sites and two restored depots.

At the southern end of the trail just north of Cedar Rapids, you can pick up the Cedar River Trail and continue your journey south.

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Parking & Trail Access:
The northern 26 miles of the trail which is managed by the Black Hawk County Conservation Board, does not charge a trail user fee. The southern 26 miles managed by the Linn County Conservation Board does require a trail user fee. Contact the Linn County Conservation Board at 319-398-3505 for fee information.

A map of this and all of the trails in the Black Hawk County system can be found on the Trail Website by clicking on "Trails" under the Directory.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Fee no longer charged for the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
By dbiechler in September, 2010
The Linn County Conservation Board quit charging a user fee for the Cedar Valley Nature Trail a long time ago. Please change this in the written materials for this trail. The trail is free and a great trail. Two major bridges over the Cedar River in Black Hawk County remain closed due to the 2008 flood. Repair work is currently being done on the one at Evansdale.
Do not leave any valuables visable in your car
By cj5w4wd in September, 2009
The trail is great but even in the parking lot off Boyson Rd in broad daylight on a busy Sunday--some creep broke my car window to steal my daughters cell phone. If it had not been in plain view I might have been OK.
Hiking from Hiawatha to Brandon
By Sixxfan in August, 2009
This was my first time on CVNT. Myself and two friends hiked from Hiawatha to Brandon. WOW! AWESOME HIKE, and lots of cool views. Had a BLAST and will return to go from Brandon to Evansdale when the trail is fixed. CAN'T WAIT!
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