Recreational & Family - Hey Iowinians (Iowa people)! What's the deal with this trail?

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JoeTown244GL
04-21-05, 09:10 AM
Yesterday I'm traveling along 71 between Carroll and I-80 for business (biodiesel) and I see this rails to trail project that is all stop and starts. Can any of you Hawkeyes or Cyclones point me in the right direction for more information? It looks like it would be close enough for me to visit and ride once or twice a year, yet I don't want to waste my time if it is a short chunk here and short chunk there. I'm looking for a long 30-50 mile trail. Any help would be appreciated.

PS - Are there any good trails in SW Iowa for rec riders on a road bike?

Thanks :)

TrekDen
04-23-05, 10:41 AM
Yes there is!
The Wabash Trace Nature Trail runs from Council Bluffs to
Blanchard, for a grand total of 63 miles. There is a parallel
horse path from Council Bluffs to Mineola. The trail runs
along the Loess Hills of western Iowa, which were formed by
a fine windblown soil. There are many small river and creek
crossings, which explains why there is a staggering number of
bridges, seventy-three at last count. There are many towns
along the route, and while not spaced evenly, the longest
stretch shouldn't take much more than an hour for most
bicyclists. The trail surface is very good, and almost the entire
route is shaded. In some places the trees actually form a tall
overhead tunnel. Quite nice on a hot sunny day! There are
plans for more modern campgrounds in both Malvern and
Blanchard sometime in the near future. This is one trail that's well-worth a visit.

Web Link (http://www.trailsfromrails.com/wabash_trace_trail.htm)