EXPLORE: Bicycling/cycling
By Jeff Pitts
Connect with nature on any of Iowa’s 2,000-plus miles of trails — you can find a map of Iowa’s offerings at www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes/bikemap/home.aspx — or explore the following local favorites.
RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL
Length: 89 miles, concrete/asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.raccoonrivervalleytrail.org/interactive-map
Boasting 350,000 visitors per year, the 89-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail touches the western suburb of Waukee and then heads west and north before looping back again to traverse scenic rural landscapes.
HIGH TRESTLE TRAIL
Length: 25 miles, concrete and asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/high-trestle-trail
“The shining star of Iowa’s trail system,” High Trestle runs for 25 miles through five towns and four counties and includes the iconic, half-mile, 13-story bridge across the Des Moines River valley, one of the largest trail bridges in the world.
GREAT WESTERN TRAIL
Polk and Warren counties
Length: 19 miles, asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/great-western-trail
Watch out for deer at dusk and be sure to stop for tacos at The Cumming Tap if it is Wednesday. The Great Western Trail runs through Des Moines, Cumming, Churchville and Martensdale in Warren and Polk counties.
CLIVE GREENBELT TRAIL
Clive
Length: 11.3 miles, asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.cityofclive.com/parkandrecreation/greenbelt/trail/index.php
The heavily wooded areas winding along Walnut Creek make the Greenbelt popular. This results in the trail being a little hectic at times, but riding on weekdays helps to minimize much of the traffic while avoiding walkers and their dogs.
JORDAN CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL
West Des Moines
Length: 15 miles, asphalt/concrete
Difficulty: Easy
www.wdm.iowa.gov/home/components/facilitydirectory/facilitydirectory/26/1433
Jordan Creek Trail is the main spine of the West Des Moines trail system. The paved way generally runs east/west through the city and links the 230-acre Raccoon River Park to houses, apartments, schools and recreational amenities.
WEST DES MOINES HISTORICAL BIKE TOUR
West Des Moines
Length: 8 miles, asphalt/concrete
Difficulty: Easy
www.iowabytrail.com/find-a-trail/158/west-des-moines-historical-bike-tour
This historical bike tour was put together by West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department to highlight West Des Moines’ historical hotspots on the 8-mile loop, including the Jordan House, the Red Caboose in Valley Junction and Raccoon River Park. Start at any of the 12 locations and ride at your own pace.
MEREDITH TRAIL
Downtown Des Moines
Length: 5.2 miles, asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.dsm.city/departments/parks_and_recreation-division/places/trails.php
A 5.2-mile jaunt from downtown Des Moines to Gray’s Lake Park.
Connect with nature on any of Iowa’s 2,000-plus miles of trails — you can find a map of Iowa’s offerings at www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes/bikemap/home.aspx — or explore the following local favorites.
RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL
Length: 89 miles, concrete/asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.raccoonrivervalleytrail.org/interactive-map
Boasting 350,000 visitors per year, the 89-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail touches the western suburb of Waukee and then heads west and north before looping back again to traverse scenic rural landscapes.
HIGH TRESTLE TRAIL
Length: 25 miles, concrete and asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/high-trestle-trail
“The shining star of Iowa’s trail system,” High Trestle runs for 25 miles through five towns and four counties and includes the iconic, half-mile, 13-story bridge across the Des Moines River valley, one of the largest trail bridges in the world.
GREAT WESTERN TRAIL
Polk and Warren counties
Length: 19 miles, asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/great-western-trail
Watch out for deer at dusk and be sure to stop for tacos at The Cumming Tap if it is Wednesday. The Great Western Trail runs through Des Moines, Cumming, Churchville and Martensdale in Warren and Polk counties.
CLIVE GREENBELT TRAIL
Clive
Length: 11.3 miles, asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.cityofclive.com/parkandrecreation/greenbelt/trail/index.php
The heavily wooded areas winding along Walnut Creek make the Greenbelt popular. This results in the trail being a little hectic at times, but riding on weekdays helps to minimize much of the traffic while avoiding walkers and their dogs.
JORDAN CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL
West Des Moines
Length: 15 miles, asphalt/concrete
Difficulty: Easy
www.wdm.iowa.gov/home/components/facilitydirectory/facilitydirectory/26/1433
Jordan Creek Trail is the main spine of the West Des Moines trail system. The paved way generally runs east/west through the city and links the 230-acre Raccoon River Park to houses, apartments, schools and recreational amenities.
WEST DES MOINES HISTORICAL BIKE TOUR
West Des Moines
Length: 8 miles, asphalt/concrete
Difficulty: Easy
www.iowabytrail.com/find-a-trail/158/west-des-moines-historical-bike-tour
This historical bike tour was put together by West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department to highlight West Des Moines’ historical hotspots on the 8-mile loop, including the Jordan House, the Red Caboose in Valley Junction and Raccoon River Park. Start at any of the 12 locations and ride at your own pace.
MEREDITH TRAIL
Downtown Des Moines
Length: 5.2 miles, asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
www.dsm.city/departments/parks_and_recreation-division/places/trails.php
A 5.2-mile jaunt from downtown Des Moines to Gray’s Lake Park.
High Trestle Trail Bridge near Madrid. Photo credit Iowa Tourism Office.
The Meredith Trail in downtown Des Moines. Photo by Jeff Pitts.
The Underground Railroad made stops at the Jordan House in West Des Moines. Learn about this and other historical facts on the West Des Moines Historical Bike Tour. Photo submitted.
