Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Iowa, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Very nice trail from Iowa city to Tiffin. The part in Tiffin is hilly, shaded, and beautiful.
We parked at the trailhead in Dysart; first riding west to the end of the paved trail, then on to the main trail. The first several miles are not maintained all that well; lots of small sink holes that need repair, and one very large low portion completely flooded by recent rains. The trail is basically rural along its entirety; not much population nor competition with other users. We did occur several people walking dogs so be conscious of their needs. Sections where there is heavy shade, as well as exposed to the sun. Overall the trail is nice and relatively private. At the “midpoint” in Garrison, there is a nice rest stop that has water as another stated, as well as a bike repair station. Trail arrives in Vinton; not sure where it leads to there as we turned around. There’s are some sections where it’s clear the trail nee
I’ll second the previous reviewer, very nice trail. We did not go through the 2nd detour into Baxter, but the first detour was manageable and as stated because of the washout of the road base they’ll probably have to close that section permanently until they can fix it as it worsens. In that same section there are 2-3 downed trees. We maneuvered the bikes over them ok. The section from Mingo to Baxter was just fine, maybe not butter smooth but the cracks were not bad at all. Highly recommend.
Follows the road but nicely maintained and keeps you off the highway
I biked roundtrip from Slater to Collins. The concrete surface was meticulously maintained and the sides of the trail mowed. A short part of the route going through Huxley was on roads, but the signage was good and the shoulder was wide enough to feel safe. The trail was mostly flat except for the section between Maxwell and Cambridge. Slight grade changes on this stretch made for a good change of pace. Check out the cool bike sculpture at the main trailhead in Slater.
I biked roundtrip from the Norwoodville trailhead to the Baxter trailhead. The concrete surface to Bondurant was an excellent condition and well maintained. The trail was closed just northeast of the Bondurant trailhead and also between NE 88th Street and NE Morgan Drive. The second closure was due to the recent heavy rains. I was able to navigate through both with minimal hassle. A portion of the trail base was washed away on the second closure and will probably be permanently closed until they repair it. At the end of the trail in the city of Baxter, I was rewarded with a red caboose photo op. There was also a large shaded restaurant patio next to the caboose.
I biked from Ankeny to Altoona for a total of 50 miles roundtrip. Recent heavy rains closed the trail on the road underpass sections next to the still swollen Fourmile Creek. The asphalt surface for most of the trail was older with some bumps and cracks, but still manageable. I did have to use roads to bypass the I-80 construction. I especially liked the newer concrete around the Copper Creek Lake Park. The city of Altoona near the Class Act Productions Theater had a unique mural and a quiet space for relaxing.
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.
Path is great to ride on and so beautiful to go around the lake.
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.
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