Wapsi-Great Western Line:
Iowa
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Description:
Two three-mile segments of the 14-mile Wapsi-Great Western Line follow the abandoned CGW grade between Riceville and the Iowa State Line. One segment extends north from Riceville while the other extends south from the Iowa State Line. The trail follows the Wapsipinicon River corridor traversing wide rolling landscape, agricultural land, upland timber, wetland, and pasture. Some sections of this trail also follow county roads. The northern section of the trail also comes close to a large-scale wind farm. The railroad was originally built by the Minnesota & Northwestern Railroad in 1886.


For more information contact the Wapsi-Great Western Line Committee at PO Box 116, Riceville, IA 50466-0116, 515-985-4030, or contact the Mitchell County Conservation Board at 515-732-5204.

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Parking & Trail Access:
Riceville/Highway 9, or Lake Hendricks; McIntire/County Road T62 two miles South of the city, or Pinicon Alder Woods.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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A NICE Ride!
By kclark987 in August, 2009
I rode the trail today on my cyclocross bike and had a blast! This trail offers a bit of everything. There's open fields of corn and soybeans, dense woods, a marsh, lakes, creeks, rivers, old bridges, quaint Amish farms, and even giant wind turbines! If you start at Riceville, you can ride all the way to McIntire and on through Pinicon Alders Park on a road bike as everything is paved. There's a nice bar & grill where you can grab lunch in McIntire, but not much more. The Pinicon Alders Park portion is newly paved BEAUTIFUL--as nice a trail as you can find anywhere ...Seriously. The last 4-mile section, though, you really need something with wider tires as this is crushed gravel and a bit rough in a few spots. A cyclocross or mountain bike would be your best bet. Whatever you do, don't forget your camera!

trail location
By maryjo in October, 2007
This trail actually goes way past Lake Hendricks up to the Minnesota state line
Wapsi Trail
By Robert Waltman in April, 2007
"This trail is very enjoyable with a very beautiful ride through lush farm fields, woodlands, wetlands and communities that welcome the visitors with warmth and hospitality.
Riceville is the main town that you can get your supplies and information on the trail. You can camp out at Lake Hendricks which is next to the Wapsi Trail.
Bring your camera for wonderful scenes and the great old steel bridges that are used on the trail to cross the creeks. An appetite for some is answered by the wonderful places to eat in Riceville.
This is one place to visit that is very family friendly with lots of options. "