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The Prairie Land Trail follows an abandoned railroad corridor 13.6 miles between 240th Street in Mason City and 1st Street S in Thornton. With a surface of crushed limestone, the rail-trail runs through bucolic farmland.
The plans for the rail-trail include converting the rest of the 21-mile portion of the former Union Pacific railbed owned by the Iowa Dept of Transportation (IDOT) into usable trail. The trail would stretch across Cerro Gordo county between Mason City and Mersevey, connecting with Mason City's own network of trails.
Parking is available at 10365 150th Street in Swaledale and in a small parking lot at the trail's southern end on 1st Street S in Thornton. Visit the TrailLink map for detailed directions.
I live near here so I have ridden this trail numerous times. It’s a good gravel trail that is road bikeable. I road it with 700X38 at 17/18 MPH without issue. It’s a good trail that should be extending southwest in the future. I give it 4 stars only for not much shade and no porta potties. Traveling cyclist Facebook
The trail is gravel good enough to ride a road bike on. There isn't much shade or an amenities but very quiet and peaceful. It is being expanded to the south and I hope one day to the north to connect to other Mason City trails. I would recommend riding this trail and I will return here.
Traveling cyclist
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The trail starts south of mason city and goes to Thornton (15 miles each way) . It’s crushed limestone with very little shade and no benches to stop and rest. It’s basically a continuous trail through farm fields. It’s the only long distance trail in the mason city area so it’s better than nothing.
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