Explore the best rated trails in Waterloo, IA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and Old Creamery Nature Trail . With more than 52 trails covering 4061 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This is another great trail in the Cedar Valley Trail system. It’s a smooth trail and though it runs near a road the noise is not deafening. I enjoyed this trail and I rate it 5 stars. Traveling cyclist Facebook
I wanted to ride the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail while I was in the area. I started from Deerwood Road near Deerwood Park. I rode about 4 miles until 11th street where the trail was closed. I crossed the river north of there and rode a trail on the other side of the river which was also closed at 11th street. Doing research I am not sure if it is all closed or not. I will return in the future and hope this will be open. Traveling cyclist Facebook
I discovered this trail after connecting from the Gilbert Drive Trail. It is a great little trail.
Traveling cyclist
Facebook
I started this trail at Deerwood Park and rode it to the connection to the Evansdale Trail and back. I noticed going east on the south side it has a sign bike trail ONE WAY and vice versa in the north side heading west. 5 stars for this shorty. Traveling cyclist Facebook
I rode this trail in mid May 2024. There was a bridge being replaced without a detour around. I would guess about five miles out of Waverly. I then went to Denver and rode the other way to the closure. It’s a good trail that could by now be complete again so I plan to return soon. 5 stars Traveling cyclist Facebook
I have ridden this trail twice. If I lived in Charles City I would ride it everyday. It is a great trail that I recommend highly. Traveling cyclist Facebook
Road 38.5 miles on the Rolling Prairie trail. Started in Hampton and road to Shell Rock. Trail is divided into three sections that can be connected by using paved and gravel roads. Would not recommend riding from Hampton to Dumont. Someone thought it a good idea to use large gravel for several long sections of the trail. I have a gravel bike and it was a challenge. Trail is poorly marked and closed in one section and I had to find a work around on gravel roads. Worst section of a bike trail I’ve ever ridden in Iowa and I’ve ridden 34 so far. The good news is from Allison to Shell Rock is paved and well marked.
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
Nice trail around lake. Then rode down to Cedar falls & follow S. riverside trail (west side of river) down to John Deere museum in waterloo. Round trip approx 20 miles.
Rode this trail in December seems really nice to me. I almost didn’t go because of the negative reviews, I guess these items have been repaired because I had no complaints.
I've run on the Old Creamery Nature Trail several dozen times per year for over a decade. As trails go it is well kept, and was even resurfaced a few years ago. When there has been a lot of rain, or after a winter thaw, there can be some muddy areas but those tend to be minimal and are not very common. The Vinton side of the trail is usually in slightly better condition than the Dysart side. Both the Vinton and Dysart ends of the trail are bounded by open farmland. The middle section of the trail for miles on either side of Garrison is mostly wooded and usually provides a chance to spot some wildlife. I've frequently seen eagle, owl, hawk, pheasant, turkey, deer, fox, groundhog, possum, raccoon, coyote and occasionally even a person or two. My experience is that the section from Vinton to Garrison will have a few people on it about half of the time when the weather is nice, but Dysart to Garrison sees almost no traffic so it presents an ideal opportunity for solitude if you are so inclined.
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