Garden Grove, IA Walking Trails and Maps

102 Reviews

Looking for the best Walking trails around Garden Grove?

Find the top rated walking trails in Garden Grove, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
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19 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Carlisle Nature Trail

3.17 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Ewing Park Trail

0.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Green Valley Lake Trail

3.5 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Little River Scenic Pathway

1.8 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Mapleleaf Pathway

1.5 mi
State: IA
Grass, Gravel

Mark C. Ackelson Trail

6 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Ringgold Trailway

2 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Summerset Trail

12 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Volksweg Trail

12.5 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Cinder Path

13.5 mi
State: IA
Cinder, Crushed Stone

Easter Lake Spine Trail

1 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Great Western Trail (IA)

19 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Jerry Kelley Trail

2.7 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Lamoni Rail-Trail

4.7 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Park to Park Trail

4.4 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Competine Trail

0.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

East Hillcrest Trail

0.8 mi
State: IA
Concrete

McVay Trail

1.6 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Lenox Multi-Purpose Trail

0.25 mi
State: IA
Asphalt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Opened in 2016, the Carlisle Nature Trail is a beautiful way to experience the natural beauty of the small Iowa community of Carlisle, located about a dozen miles southeast of Des Moines. Running...
IA 3.17 mi Concrete
The Ewing Park Trail is a paved path, perfect for a short bike ride or jog, located in the city of Des Moines' Ewing Park. One of the city's largest public parks, the park is home to a popular lilac...
IA 0.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Green Valley Lake Trail is a developing multi-use trail around the perimeter of its namesake lake, located within the popular Green Valley State Park just north of Creston, Iowa. As of 2019, the...
IA 3.5 mi Concrete
Since 1994, the Little River Scenic Pathway has offered something for everyone to enjoy. Users can enjoy nature while hiking, biking, jogging or exercising at fitness areas along the trail or by...
IA 1.8 mi Concrete
The Mapleleaf Pathway is located in the small community of Diagonal, Iowa. The trail occupies an abandoned Chicago and North Western Railway corridor, which once formed part of a larger system that...
IA 1.5 mi Grass, Gravel
It may be hard to believe now when you see children laughing on the playground and neighbors out on a morning jog but Easter Lake and the park that surrounds it sit on the site of a coal mine that...
IA 6 mi Concrete
The Ringgold Trailway connects the eastern edge of the small city of Mount Ayr with Poe Hollow County Park, a little less than 2 miles away. The trail was built on a former railroad right-of-way, and...
IA 2 mi Asphalt
The Summerset Trail links the two central Iowa communities of Indianola and Carlisle, both of which have embraced the trail, including providing helpful signs at each end with clear directions for...
IA 12 mi Asphalt
Who says Iowa doesn’t have hills?! The winding route of the Volksweg Trail sticks mainly to the rolling hills and scenic viewpoints from Lake Red Rock all the way to the town of Pella. Dutch...
IA 12.5 mi Asphalt
The Cinder Path in southern Iowa is notable as the state’s first rail-to-trail conversion. Following a shady route past farms and wetlands along the Chariton River between Chariton and Humeston for...
IA 13.5 mi Cinder, Crushed Stone
A short, paved trail that connects neighborhoods and preserved open space to the Mark C. Ackelson Trail at Easter Lake Park, the Easter Lake Spine Trail is a useful asset to the community and forms a...
IA 1 mi Concrete
Overview Built on a former section of the Chicago Great Western Railroad (built in 1893), the Great Western Trail spans 19 miles between Des Moines and Martensdale.  About the Route The...
IA 19 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Jerry Kelley Trail, named for the city of Indianola's former long-tenured mayor, provides a great community pathway that links residents to schools, local parks, and the city's pair of fantastic...
IA 2.7 mi Concrete
The Lamoni Rail-Trail, also called the Lamoni Recreation Trail, is a delightful route through the downtown area, with a side loop through the campus of Graceland University. You can begin the trail at...
IA 4.7 mi Asphalt
So named because it travels between McKinley Park in Creston and Green Valley State Park to the north of town, the Park to Park Trail provides over four miles of paved, multi-use trail to help connect...
IA 4.4 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The small city of Knoxville, about forty miles southeast of Des Moines, is chiefly known for the Knoxville Raceway and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, which draws racing enthusiasts...
IA 0.9 mi Asphalt
The East Hillcrest Trail is a short suburban trail located in the community of Indianola. Running along the avenue of the same name, the trail provides several important local connections, linking the...
IA 0.8 mi Concrete
The 1.6-mile McVay Trail in Indianola provides a paved route for cyclists, walkers and joggers between East 5th Street and Pickard Park. The trail follows the bed of the former Chicago, Burlington and...
IA 1.6 mi Asphalt, Concrete
This short trail runs through open space behind the town's high school, following a portion of an abandoned railway line.
IA 0.25 mi Asphalt

Recent Trail Reviews

Carlisle Nature Trail

the BIG Hill

October, 2024 by vcu6chqk7n

Great ride but what a big and long hill!

Easter Lake Spine Trail

Easter lake spine trail

October, 2024 by vcu6chqk7n

Nice easy flat ride with a lake on one side and housed on the other

Great Western Trail (IA)

Edit

September, 2024 by dpate

I said I rode in 2025 but I see no way to edit. I rode Sept 2024. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Accordion

Great Western Trail (IA)

Good trail

September, 2024 by dpate

I rode this trail in mid September 2025. I started at the north end not knowing there is a rail closure at Count Line Road and Hwy 28. It continues to a mile and a half north of the Chicken Restaurant. The trail was open the rest of the way to Martinsdale. The older asphalt sections have plenty of cracks and is rough. The cement sections are heaven. I think eventually it will all be cement. Wonderful mostly shaded ride through the country. I give it five stars even with the rough sections. It’s another great long trail away from the death machines.

Great Western Trail (IA)

Short Ride

September, 2024 by mjmeyer_tl

We were hoping to ride this entire trail this morning but were unsuccessful. We started south out of Cumming and it was SO bumpy that we turned around after about three miles. Riding north of Cumming we encountered the same bumpy patched up trail until we encountered a trail closed sign. I couldn’t really enjoy the scenery as I had to keep a close eye on the trail. The trail at the street crossings was concrete for a few yards on either side which was wonderful. We left the trail after only riding nine miles. We were disappointed in the condition of the Great Western trail and won’t ride it again unless it gets a major facelift.

Volksweg Trail

Very scenic

July, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

I most recently rode the trail on the end of July 2024 from Howell Station Campground to the termination by Cordoba Park. It’s a wonderfully curvy and hilly trail. The hills are long and gentle and the views are great. It seems most of it was shaded. There were some cracks but most of it was smooth and any cracks were manageable. Going the other direction from my start would take you into Pella which is mostly uphill and not a lot of shade. I would highly recommend this trail my favorite being the part I ride along Lake Red Rock. traveling cyclist Facebook

Summerset Trail

Great trail

July, 2024 by tannermumm

I stumbled upon this trail exploring the Summerset State park and it was a very pleasant surprise all the way through! Wonderfully paved with blacktop (with only a couple clearly marked bumps here and there) it passes sweeping countryside vistas of farmland/crop land as well as long stretches of tree tunnels and woods. My favorite part was passing over the charming wooden trestle bridges going over the rushing streams and babbling brooks. My only regret was that I didn’t do more of the trail, I’ll definitely check this out again when I’m passing through the area.

Great Western Trail (IA)

Nice trail

July, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

I rode from Martensdale to north of Cummings about 12 miles July 2024. The path is patched up and there are some rough cracks still but if you watch it you would be fine. There are some sections that have been replaced with cement which are heavenly. There is also some newer asphalt. I would recommend riding this trail if you are in the area, it's very scenic. I saw deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, chipmunks, various birds, and even a cat. I rode a road bike with 700X45 tires.

Traveling cyclist
Facebook

McVay Trail

Short trail

July, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

I rode this short trail that is at the end of the Somerset Trail in 2024. It’s a nice little trail. Traveling Cyclist Facebook

Summerset Trail

Great Trail

July, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

I rode this trail in June from Carlisle to Indianola and back and again in July in the reverse and back both done in 2024. I love this trail! Very scenic and well maintained. You can tell it’s an older trail but still a very good surface and enjoyable. When in the area I recommend riding this trail. Traveling Cyclist Facebook

Volksweg Trail

Absolutely beautiful trail!

September, 2023 by niffenegger6

We entered from the west end, not far from the Cordoba Tower. We rode with our granddaughter on a tag along. We only went about 6 miles and turned around as that is good for a four year-old. The trails were smooth with gentle hills and great views of the lake. The tower is a fun added bonus. We will return later in the fall.

Great Western Trail (IA)

Decent trail

August, 2023 by jemerson977

Mostly asphalt that could use some work. Looks like they will be resurfacing the section south of Cumming fall of 2023. The Chicken and the Iowa Distillery are definitely worth the ride.

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