Aug 13, 2024

Cyclists will soon have a 120-mile paved loop to ride in central Iowa

Posted Aug 13, 2024 8:17 PM

(Radio Iowa) - A long-anticipated connection between two of Iowa's most popular bike trails opens this weekend.

The trail extension from Woodward to Perry creates a nearly-continuous 120-mile paved loop for bikers, runners and walkers on the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the High Trestle Trail. Andrea Boulton (BOLT-un) is the trails and community conservation director for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, one partner behind the nine-mile project that’s been years in the making.

The new segment links two iconic and nationally-recognized trails, and makes the network a destination for Iowans and out-of-state visitors. To mark the opening, the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association has organized a bike ride and ribbon cutting on Saturday and Boulton says there are more trails to come.