Explore the best rated trails in Iowa Falls, IA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and South Tama Recreation Trail . With more than 65 trails covering 4205 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.
Rode this trail in December seems really nice to me. I almost didn’t go because of the negative reviews, I guess these items have been repaired because I had no complaints.
Connects the Big Woods loop trail with Black Hawk Park. Well maintained and paved, the trail runs alongside Lone Tree Road in a straight line. It’s not shaded at all, so it can be a nice sunny reprieve from the wooded trails it connects, or sweltering, depending on the weather.
This was the first stop in our 2023 "Tour de Great Plains & Colorado" bike trip. We rode this trail east 10 miles from the western most trailhead "Woodward, Iowa". The trail was perfect concrete about 10 feet wide and mostly flat. The trestle is amazing and Iowa is beautiful. The Flat Tire Lounge in Madrid is a perfect place to stop and grab a bite to eat and a drink. It was a wonderful day and a great experience. We're off to a great start!!!
Great trail, but doubt if a lot of us will live long enough to see it finished. Started in 2017 in Marshall county, been working on it for 7 years but only 3 miles done. At this rate, it will take about 25 years to get to the Hardin County line, (about 12 miles) where they will take over for their share. I believe Hardin county has maybe 5 miles paved. There's a large bridge over the Iowa River north of Marshalltown which needs replaced to carry the ambulances. The trail is concrete and 10 feet wide.
The High Trestle Trail provided an amazing ride through farms and small towns, starting in Ankeny and ending on a high note at the high trestle bridge. I felt very safe even though parts of the trail were isolated through farm fields with very few other riders. Everyone I ran into was very friendly and helpful, including a construction worker who helped me through the detour in Ankeny and a nice man, who helped me put air in my tire along the trail.
Nice trail overall but of course you are going to go to the bridge right? Yes it lives up to the hype. If in Central Iowa be sure to stop by.
With new connections this trail will continue to become even more popular. Also be aware that at Slater this trail turns south and if you continue east you are on the Heart of Iowa Trail.
This trail is a great resource for Eastern and Northeastern Iowa. Overall nice trail. There are some places that could use a bit more crushed limestone around Urbana. Bridge in LaPorte City opened back up in 2020 (be sure to stop at Tootsie's).
Connects to a lot of other trails. Be sure to stop at Anton's Garden.
We are going on to the Mickelson, but thought we would stop for the night in Iowa and take a ride. Very glad that we did. Came into Ames around 5:15PM. Saw that sunset was at 8:31 so we drove down to Madrid and went west to Woodward. The trip was short but we crossed the bride twiice and it was lit.
We parked in the Grants Woods lot outside Madrid, but the gravel trail is pretty steep in spots and rough, I suggest that if you park there, go back to the highway and go on about 500 feet where the Trail actually intersects it. There's some risk of car traffic, but we saw none. and you avoid having to walk up some steep gravel slopes.
Surprised to see this amazing trail that has great bed and breakfasts along it is not noted as part of the Great American Rail Trail. It sure would help demonstrate more GART completion if it was.
The wife and I rode this trail for the first time on the first day of spring, going to be our favorite trail I believe! Start in Steamboat Rock and it’s a gradual incline most of the way to Eldora which makes it easy ride on the return trip. For us Golden age folks it’s a win win…
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