Explore the best rated trails in Winterset, IA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail and John Pat Dorrian Trail . With more than 75 trails covering 4772 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.
As mentioned there are a few sections with some cracks, but if you’ve ever ridden US275 shoulder in Nebraska, the cracks on the trail are all good. Yes some of them bump you but overall a truly great trail. Lots of sections with shade and even planting new trees to provide more shade in the coming years.
We only road part of this trail to connect from Great Western Trail to Kruidenier Trail. Very pretty area and smooth even though short. Well kept up.
We road yesterday the whole path. Needless to say that from Martensdale only 2 miles out is wonderful new path but there to Cummings is terrible. Cummings to Des Moines is much better, but even that has a few area that are bad. Overall the beauty of the trail is great just the path needs a lot of work. Nice stop to eat along the way at The Chicken.
Enjoyed this Trail. Started at the Pectocka Trail, went to Mingo and back. . Love all the bridges. Only thing is closer to Mingo the trail is bumpy and some of bridges are rough getting on and off throughout trail. We will do this trail again.
This trail is wider than most with pavement in great shape and park like maintenance.
We rode the trail from the trail head on the far South End (Pymosa) to Audubon and back.
Highlights: Very Flat, the old trestle midway where the trail diverted was very cool to see. Nice stretch around Exira.
For awareness: The Asphalt is very cracked in a majority of the trail. You can see efforts to repair and smooth it out but still some 2-3 inch cracks for most of the trail.
We enjoyed the trail, the small towns and drove over to Elk Horn for the Dambo troll after riding as a bonus.
This odds a beautiful trail except that is closed at the half way point and we could not find anything online telling us when it would reopen. We were expecting to take a 30 mile round trip ride today only took a 13.5 mile ride.
Discovered this comfortable place with great accommodations for two bike travelers. They offer a pullout sofa if you do not wish to share a bed. Indoor bike storage with a comfy bed and a hot shower! Distillery right next-door and two restaurants to fuel up in the morning to get back on the trail. Close to the panhandle of West Virginia. Their name is Harmony Trail Haven on Airbnb.
Highly recommend this beautiful and well kept trail. Beautiful to ride along the trees and over the 2 epic ohiopyle bridges.
Rode the Raccoon River Valley trail round trip between Perry and Herndon on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. That turned out to be 27.2 miles. We parked at the Caboose Park in Perry. Interestingly, covered parking was available there. We could not find the bathrooms there, so not sure why Trail Link indicates bathrooms are available. The trail surface was fantastic; wide, smooth concrete with mowed grass on both sides. The grass had been recently mowed and the trail had been blown or swept clean. Wow! Nice! The bathrooms in the old depot in Dawson were available and in perfect condition. The trailhead in Herndon offers parking only; no water, no bathrooms. Overall, this was a great ride, one we will do again in the future.
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