Fairfield Loop Trail:
Iowa
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Description:
The Fairfield Loop Trail forms a 16-mile ring around the town of Fairfield, mostly in the outlying areas of the countryside. The trail links two major preserves and connects city and county parks. Along the way you'll pass through woodlands, meadows and prairie, and hilly sections.

Most of the trail surface is crushed stone, but there are about 2.5 miles total of concrete surface in four different locations. A 0.8-mile on-road segment follows Mint Boulevard (a gravel road) southward from Lamson Woods toward the trail section that parallels US 34. Other trails, such as the 7.5 miles in Jefferson County Park, connect to the Fairfield Loop Trail.

The most spectacular feature of the trail is the BNSF bridge over the railroad tracks near Walton Lake. The bridge features 171 ceramic tiles created by high school art students, which are inset into the bridge's concrete curb. Many small bridges, some with artistic enhancements, cross brooks on the Fairfield Loop Trail.

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Parking & Trail Access:
There are numerous access points and places to park all along the loop. Check the Jefferson County website link (under Related Links to the right) for more information.

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pretty fall riding
By kshanks in October, 2010
This trail will be beautiful when the leaves start showing their full fall color. The trail is mostly crushed and loose gravel. Some areas are packed a little better than others. This is a rather hilly path which is not good for recumbent bikes. Personally, we do not like the crushed/loose gravel for hills, makes it too easy to skid going down the hill and around the curves. The trail goes through a a few nice forest preserves and some pasture areas and hills and valleys. The hills are not bad but a few are very long and gradual when climbing up.
Take a Walk on the Fairfield Loop Trail (5 minutes)
By wtorrington in November, 2009

A five-minute slideshow set to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze".


Visit: http://vimeo.com/7655914


A stirring walk on the 17-mile Fairfield Loop Trail (Fairfield, Iowa) -- including the beautiful reservoir lakes; the farmland trail to Chautauqua Park; Chautauqua Park in the morning light; and the mysterious Lamson Woods and wetlands ... with transcendental views of nearby Interstate Highway #34, and a journey through the ever-peaceful Jefferson County Park (see Trail Map at http://www.jeffersoncountytrails.com; or visit my college on-line, located along the trail in Fairfield, at http://www.mum.edu).

This inspiring art film is set to the melody of Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze", a beautiful Cantata. It is to be followed (soon) by part two of the "Fairfield Loop Trail" -- from Jefferson County Park back to the reservoirs, via: Cedar Valley Trail; Whitham Woods; Rock Island Railroad; and Maharishi University of Management, where visitors weekends may afford one inexpensive venue for walking this magnificent trail. Camping is also available in Jefferson County Park, on the trail.

Notes:

Five minutes of late summer and autumn majesty ... captured on film from October to November of 2009! All photos are adjustment-free except for cropping, and are therefore "brim-full" with the essence and color of rural and natural America.

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