Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Iowa, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This trail has much less use than others in town. Watch out for the many deer
The Woodward-to-Perry Connector in the High Trestle Trail was long planned, requiring new bridges, land acquisition/donation and careful design. The result is spectacular. I rode this today on a cool Autumn day through harvested farm fields and along streams. The views are superb. The trail surface (paved concrete) is top notch. It crosses a few well-marked country roads but otherwise is a dedicated nature trail for hiking and biking. The entire route from Woodward to Perry is separated path except for two blocks of residential side street in Bouton. Although brand new, this trail is seeing use: groups of cyclists went by; numerous hikers and runners were out; and small kids on bikes near Perry were using it. It exits into residential streets in Perry that are well signposted to guide one to downtown or to the other trails beginning in Perry. Hats off to the County board of supervisors and the numerous volunteers and donors who made this happen.
Nice easy flat ride with a lake on one side and housed on the other
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
Absolutely gorgeous ride with the trail in perfect condition. Unlike other trails, this one is serviced often with repairs being done with crushed gravel instead of sand. They have put multiple new bathroom facilities throughout the trail as well.
Flood waters earlier this year have damaged a section of trail between Rolfe and Bradgate. East of Melson Park / Pilot Creek Road the trail was some large areas of trail that have been washed out. The trail is virtually unrideable. The bridge over the Des Moines River just west of Bradgate has been cleared and is open. But my estimate is there are several hundred years of trail that have been washed out. I’d suggest either of the short road options between Melson Park & Bradgate
I rode the Chichaqua Trail in early October 2024. From the southwest end to 88th street east of Bondurant is smooth cement. There is parking and a restroom at 88th st where it changed to asphalt with a few minor issues. The worst part was between Ira and Baxter. Just watch for cracks. Some bad spots are paint marked. Overall a great long trail away from noise and traffic that I would highly recommend riding. I give it 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook
I found this trail while riding the Fairfield loop that it intersects with on the south side. It’s a nice well packed crushed stone trail with a couple nice bridges and a pit toilet along with benches. I only road the off road part of the trail as I turned around when it changed to gravel roads. I rate this trail 5 stars. Traveling cyclist Facebook
I rode this trail in late Sept 2024. I started at 9th street and Gear Ave and attempted to ride clockwise but the trail was closed near Chautauqua Park and I got lost on the detour so I rode through town back to where I started and rode counterclockwise. I was going to ride around to the closing on the other side but I got side tracked by the Cedar View Trail which was also great. The Loop is a treasure for the people that live in the area. Much of the in town parts are paved and the rest is smooth crushed rock. I give this trail 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook In
I rode the Kewash in late Sept 2024. It’s paved from Washington up to the bridge at Crooked Creek where it changes to good crushed stone. There were a very few holes that some animals have dug here and there but overall the crushed stone is in solid great condition with no loose gravel. There is a lot of straight open riding with no shade. It’s a very serene ride with no interaction with the death machines. I rate this 5 stars for sure. Traveling cyclist Facebook
I rode this trail in Sept 2024 in the mid sixties. It’s a very nice mostly cement trail. It’s great for a couple hours of death machine free riding. I rate it 5 stars.. Traveling cyclist Facebook
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!