Don't miss out on this wonderful trail!

My husband and I rode Mineloa to Imogene (locals say this is the most scenic part of the trail) in late August. The shady path was really welcoming and peaceful on this sunny warm Iowa day. We were lucky enough to chat with a superb bowtied gentleman, one of the original heroes who advocated to make this path a rail-trail starting in 1988 - and there was much local opposition! This gentleman, now a healthy 74 years old, rides regular and is part of the smashing volunteers on The Wabash Trace Nature Trail.

Thank you Iowa and all those who volunteer to keep this trail sparkling!

We rode from the East part of Lincoln to Elmwood on our "hybrid" bikes (not skinny tires). The trail was basically in good shape, with a few very short rough patches due to the kind of gravel surface and the weather. It is well worth the ride, with lovely and somewhat varied country views and plenty of birds and flowers. The mural in Elmwood is worth the ride up from the trail and the convenience store there will let you buy donuts or ice cream or sports drinks and a pitstop to keep you going.

Recommend parking at 112th and Havelock where the trail begins. There is no parking lot but there is a small pull off where you can get your vehicle safely off the road. Navigate, what can be a messy slippery slope, and you will reach the head of the trail. The arching trees that hang over this trail will make you easily forget you are only in a tiny strip of trees running between two corn fields. The trail is long, flat, and appears to be never ending as you look ahead. Mulberry trees line the sides of the trail and offer a nice treat while exploring the trail in the late spring. Unpaved but fairly easy ridding on a bike. Can be a little muddy after rain but the majority of the surface is fairly compact. Great for a leisurely hike, walking the dog, or going for a jog. Not too heavily used, especially on the far east end. Overall a fantastic trail.

Runs on the west side of downtown Lincoln,from Van Dorn St. in the south, following along the banks of the Salt Creek, and curving east around the north end of downtown.

The trail is all open now. Terrific wilderness bike ride, especially in the morning when you are likely to see wildlife. I saw five (!) fawns just today!

What I love most about the Wabash, is that it captures all the remote scenery and serenity that I remember from childhood growing up in Kansas, TN, KY and ozark areas. The flora and wildlife on the trail kind of blend that variety with the midwest prairie in a lush and comfortable display of life. I can get to it from my house in Midtown Omaha via a series of local trails, all thrilling through the parks, pit stops, historic downtown shopping, and across the river at the National Parks HQ last even MORE parks, and finally to the Wabash which I am proud to say is a park in itself! I love it for its length and use and find it fun to camp out along near warm summer months when the natural wild secluded atmosphere is blended with distant fireworks and lawnmowers and dogs barking and the dreams of the next small town to stop for an ice cream or cold juice along the journey. I’ve not yet ridden it in Autumn but am prepared to do so this year. It’s been a great opportunity to get in tune with myself and the land and learn about foraging, sustainable resource, and to find happiness as I remain in this community. I hope to meet some amazing people as I travel the Wabash in the future. I also hope for more marked primitive camp zones in shaded safe areas along the trail for future use, and for far many more miles to be added and a link of web across states may be achieved before I am too old to ride much. I am looking forward to the snow melting now and getting back on path as soon as the new green shoots appear and some days off of work allow me to return to this peaceful place.

This was an epically gorgeous ride. We started at the trailhead in Council Bluffs. I followed my map to Lewis Central Middle School and then it’s just right south of that and it got us there just fine. We did a day bike and went 22 miles to Malvern. We had stellar Bloody Marys and great food at Classic Cafe. I heard the place across the street had good ice cream too. Then we headed back and stopped in Mineola at Toby Jack’s Steakhouse for a beer. Great little place that is super use to bikers stopping in. Ended up back at the CB trailhead. If 44 miles is too much I think a bike to Silver City and back would be easier and you still get a pretty gorgeous ride.

You'll love the timbers, river, and bluffs along the way. Stop in Peru for a coffee then Brownville for a late breakfast or lunch. It's my favorite thing to do.

I recommend going on a weekday because the trail is pretty crowded friday-sunday. Enjoyable ride away from traffic, but nothing special.