Explore the best rated trails in Dubuque, IA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bellevue Rivervue Trail and Grant Wood Trail (Jones County Segment). With more than 27 trails covering 248 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Nestled amidst the suburban landscape on the western outskirts of Dubuque, the Bergfeld Recreation Area is a 30-acre park with playgrounds, fishing spots on the Bergfeld Pond, and the Bergfeld...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
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The Heritage Trail rolls along like a dream for nearly 30 miles from the Mississippi River town of Dubuque to Dyersville, home of the movie set for Field of Dreams. Along the way it passes through the...
The Wisconsin River Trail is a developing pathway which will one day connect the communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka in southwestern Wisconsin. The loop trail will be built in four phases...
The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
A short trail that makes creative use of a utility corridor on the southeastern bluffs of Dubuque, the Alliant Powerline Trail provides a paved, tree-lined path perfect for dog-walking or exercising -...
Just as the charming little city of Bellevue lies nestled against the banks of the Mississippi River, the Bellevue Rivervue Trail lies nestled in the corridor between the active rail line and the...
The Sanders Creek Trail begins on the north end of Boscobel and winds southward through town along its namesake creek. The paved pathway offers a pleasant experience in a greenspace bordering quiet...
An asphalt path lined with cracks and sprouting grass, the Southern Levy Trail might not be much to look at itself, and its route limits its usefulness as anything but an out-and-back recreational...
Located in the scenic riverside city of Clinton, the Clinton Discovery Trail offers trail users a wonderful way to make the most of the city's prime location on the banks of the Mississippi River....
The Galena River Trail is built upon an old railroad spur of the Burlington Railroad main line, constructed in 1886. The spur linked Galena to Galena Junction, where the main railroad linestill...
Located in the quaint community of Lost Nation, the Gilroy Rustic Park Trail is one of the most picturesque places in Clinton County. The half-mile path is lined with trees and, although the trail is...
A spacious path easily identifiable by it's red-patterned concrete, the Mississippi Riverwalk Trail runs just under a mile along the river, connecting some of Dubuque's major tourist attractions and...
The Military Ridge State Trail finds the high ground as it rolls across 40 miles of idyllic farmland from the outskirts of Madison to the historic mining town of Dodgeville. It follows an American...
The Bear River Recreation Trail follows part of the Maquoketa River outside of Spragueville and Preston, through bucolic countryside of woodlands, farms and river lowlands. You can start the trail in...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
The Bee Branch Trail forms an important connection between the almost thirty-mile Heritage Trail, the crown jewel of the area's trail system, and the Mississippi River and Chaplain Schmitt Island,...
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Built on the same route that a streetcar once used to carry passengers to the impressive overlooks of Eagle Point Park, the half-mile long Trolley Line Trail provides a convenient and scenic means of...
The Forest Hills Trail is a nice multi-use recreation trail that forms a circuit around a subdivision in the city of Asbury, just west of Dubuque. Perfect for walking, jogging, and other forms of...
Paul Skeffington Memorial Trail is a 5-mile pathway in Dewitt, Iowa. The trail provides safe, well-shaded access from residential neighborhoods to the 100 acre Westbrook Park. It includes a concrete...
The Pony Hollow Trail in the northeastern Iowa city of Elkader offers a scenic route through woodlands and wetlands along the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad bed. The western half of...
Located in the scenic riverside city of Clinton, the Clinton Discovery Trail offers trail users a wonderful way to make the most of the city's prime location on the banks of the Mississippi River....
The Galena River Trail is built upon an old railroad spur of the Burlington Railroad main line, constructed in 1886. The spur linked Galena to Galena Junction, where the main railroad linestill...
The Wisconsin River Trail is a developing pathway which will one day connect the communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka in southwestern Wisconsin. The loop trail will be built in four phases...
The Forest Hills Trail is a nice multi-use recreation trail that forms a circuit around a subdivision in the city of Asbury, just west of Dubuque. Perfect for walking, jogging, and other forms of...
The Dubuque Jaycees Trail runs for just over a mile from Pyatigorsk Park (named for a Russian sister city to Dubuque) up to the 8-acre A.Y. McDonald Park, a popular fishing and boat launch spot...
The Pecatonica State Trail is never far from water as it takes the easygoing Bonner Branch Valley through the rolling hills and rocky bluffs of southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, a region that the...
The Bear River Recreation Trail follows part of the Maquoketa River outside of Spragueville and Preston, through bucolic countryside of woodlands, farms and river lowlands. You can start the trail in...
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About 8 miles of the Grant Wood Trail in Linn County has been constructed so far (2012) along a former Milwaukee Road right-of-way between Marion and Martelle. The trail currently is in three separate...
Located in the quaint community of Lost Nation, the Gilroy Rustic Park Trail is one of the most picturesque places in Clinton County. The half-mile path is lined with trees and, although the trail is...
The Bee Branch Trail forms an important connection between the almost thirty-mile Heritage Trail, the crown jewel of the area's trail system, and the Mississippi River and Chaplain Schmitt Island,...
A spacious path easily identifiable by it's red-patterned concrete, the Mississippi Riverwalk Trail runs just under a mile along the river, connecting some of Dubuque's major tourist attractions and...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
Built on the same route that a streetcar once used to carry passengers to the impressive overlooks of Eagle Point Park, the half-mile long Trolley Line Trail provides a convenient and scenic means of...
The Sanders Creek Trail begins on the north end of Boscobel and winds southward through town along its namesake creek. The paved pathway offers a pleasant experience in a greenspace bordering quiet...
The Great River Trail is a breathtaking journey along more than 60 miles of the Mississippi River in northern Illinois. In places, the paved trail follows the former spur route of the Chicago, St....
The Heritage Trail rolls along like a dream for nearly 30 miles from the Mississippi River town of Dubuque to Dyersville, home of the movie set for Field of Dreams. Along the way it passes through the...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
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Nearly 3 miles of the Grant Wood Trail in Jones County has been constructed so far (2012) along a former Milwaukee Road right-of-way in Marion and Olin. The trail is named for the early 20th-century...
Just as the charming little city of Bellevue lies nestled against the banks of the Mississippi River, the Bellevue Rivervue Trail lies nestled in the corridor between the active rail line and the...
The Forest Hills Trail is a nice multi-use recreation trail that forms a circuit around a subdivision in the city of Asbury, just west of Dubuque. Perfect for walking, jogging, and other forms of...
Paul Skeffington Memorial Trail is a 5-mile pathway in Dewitt, Iowa. The trail provides safe, well-shaded access from residential neighborhoods to the 100 acre Westbrook Park. It includes a concrete...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
The Pecatonica State Trail is never far from water as it takes the easygoing Bonner Branch Valley through the rolling hills and rocky bluffs of southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, a region that the...
The Great River Trail is a breathtaking journey along more than 60 miles of the Mississippi River in northern Illinois. In places, the paved trail follows the former spur route of the Chicago, St....
The Wisconsin River Trail is a developing pathway which will one day connect the communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka in southwestern Wisconsin. The loop trail will be built in four phases...
The Military Ridge State Trail finds the high ground as it rolls across 40 miles of idyllic farmland from the outskirts of Madison to the historic mining town of Dodgeville. It follows an American...
Nestled amidst the suburban landscape on the western outskirts of Dubuque, the Bergfeld Recreation Area is a 30-acre park with playgrounds, fishing spots on the Bergfeld Pond, and the Bergfeld...
The Pony Hollow Trail in the northeastern Iowa city of Elkader offers a scenic route through woodlands and wetlands along the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad bed. The western half of...
Located in the scenic riverside city of Clinton, the Clinton Discovery Trail offers trail users a wonderful way to make the most of the city's prime location on the banks of the Mississippi River....
About 8 miles of the Grant Wood Trail in Linn County has been constructed so far (2012) along a former Milwaukee Road right-of-way between Marion and Martelle. The trail currently is in three separate...
The Galena River Trail is built upon an old railroad spur of the Burlington Railroad main line, constructed in 1886. The spur linked Galena to Galena Junction, where the main railroad linestill...
Nearly 3 miles of the Grant Wood Trail in Jones County has been constructed so far (2012) along a former Milwaukee Road right-of-way in Marion and Olin. The trail is named for the early 20th-century...
A spacious path easily identifiable by it's red-patterned concrete, the Mississippi Riverwalk Trail runs just under a mile along the river, connecting some of Dubuque's major tourist attractions and...
The Heritage Trail rolls along like a dream for nearly 30 miles from the Mississippi River town of Dubuque to Dyersville, home of the movie set for Field of Dreams. Along the way it passes through the...
The Bear River Recreation Trail follows part of the Maquoketa River outside of Spragueville and Preston, through bucolic countryside of woodlands, farms and river lowlands. You can start the trail in...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
If you’re looking for an invigorating motorized-trail experience, the Cheese Country Recreation Trail (aka the Tri-County Trail) won’t disappoint. If you’re on foot, hoof, or self-propelled two...
If you are looking to take it easy and just go for a nice ride this is it. Smooth and simple. Very well maintained.
My husband and I rode the Military Ridge Trail from Dodgeville to Fitchburg on Saturday of Labor day weekend. We connected the Military Ridge Trail to Cannonball path to Capital City Path and stayed overnight at the Wyndam Garden Madison Fitchburg (total of 45 miles) . We enjoyed the Great Dane Pub and Brewery that is within walking distance from the hotel. Then we rode the trail back to Dodgeville on Sunday. We stopped in Mt Horeb for lunch both days. There are several shops and resturants so it was a nice break to get something to eat and walk around a while. The Military Ridge Trail is nice with varied scenery between rolling farms, wooded areas and marshland. There are a few places where it runs along the highway but overall I thought it was a scenic trail. Most of the trail is in good condition for a hybrid bike but there are a couple sections where there is grass growing in the middle of the path. It didn't cause any problems, but wasn't a well maintained as the other sectins. Overall for a rail trail, I thought it was in good condition. The most scenic part is through the Blue Mound State Park area and the Quarry Ridge Recreation area just west of Fitchburg. The section of the Capital City Trail across Fitchburg is very pretty with lots of wildflowers, but is has a few hills.
Great ride! Combines beauty and a little bit of challenge as ride out to Dyersville has the slightest of incline. Trail itself is in good shape, well packed with no ruts or overgrown areas. Many well marked parking areas to enter trail, allowing for all abilities to enjoy! Lots of beauty to see in the heart of Iowa farm country.
This was a difficult trail for bike riding. I must say that ALL ATV riders we encountered were respectful. They all slowed down and gave us space. Won’t be doing this again unless with an ATV.
Last summer I finally put my bike tires to Iowa asphalt, cement, and crushed limestone. It was my first ride west of the Mississippi and my first two-state ride in some time. I traversed the Great River Trail from Campbell's Island to Credit Island round trip and experienced everything in between including Arsenal Island, a brewery, flooded segments of the trail, a minor league baseball field, artwork, ghost signs and a vast assortment of incredible views. Easily a favorite path, I'd lovee to get back out here and head north from Campbell's to experience more of this terrific trail. Cheers.
we love the trail and we will be going this weekend
There are some rough spots on this trail! Also, just north of Albany is a section of gravel road to travel. I don’t know how long it is bc I don’t take my road bike on gravel or fresh chip seal.
Stayed at the Thomson Causeway Campground and rented bikes from Arnold's Bikes in Thomson (highly recommended). The ride north to Savanna was beautiful as was the ride down south to see the Fulton Dutch windmill. Good diversity of fields, tree lined runs, and a general feeling of peacefulness not found near Chicago.
Only gripes were where there were stretches of bike path that had: sketchy amounts of wood debris, lack of signage when zizagging onto local roads, and deteriorating surfaces that made for a very uncomfortable ride on road bike tires (23-25mm).
We rode from the first trailhead in Rock Island to Cordova. About 25 miles one way. We all loved the trail. It was a mix of urban, small town and rural. I especially liked riding the top of the levy right next to the river. However the trail is very bumpy in spots. It could use some work. All four of us were on road bikes and the trail is fine for road bikes but the bumps got old. On the way out it didn’t really bother me but once we turned around and were getting tired the constant bumps got old quickly. One thing we liked was that you rarely had to cross a road.
Took a road bike from Dawley's Sanctuary on the Capital City Trail east. Took several tries to find the right path through Chicory Hills and I stumbled onto the Cannonball Path at the southeast corner of the Arboretum. Signage is indeed awful here. So many trails and offshoots and no idea where to go! But I headed west on Cannonball until I got the to hub where all the trails come together. I decided to keep going west and did the Military Ridge Trail. It's lovely and paved the first 3 miles, as noted, and the next crushed gravel part is fine for a road bike in dry weather... until about 2 miles past Verona when it becomes much more sandy at Sugar River Wetlands, where I turned around. Next time I will take a hybrid!
Only had time to go from Savannah to Thomson. It is all paved. The first part is tree lined trail. The water in the rivers was high and the trail could use some weed wacking. After a while you got on to country roads that went past the river. It was windy and there wasn't a lot to shield you but it was a nice day. I would have liked to have seen more of the Mississippi River. Maybe 25% or so you can see the Mississippi but the rest of the view is blocked by houses or trees. Tons of parking in Savannah by the railroad car.
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