Looking for the best trails around Dubuque?

Explore the best rated trails in Dubuque, IA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bellevue Rivervue Trail and Manchester Walkway/Bikeway Trails . With more than 29 trails covering 266 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.

Recent Trail Reviews

Heritage Trail (IA)

Best trail I’ve seen this year

October, 2024 by brownlincolnt

Absolutely gorgeous ride with the trail in perfect condition. Unlike other trails, this one is serviced often with repairs being done with crushed gravel instead of sand. They have put multiple new bathroom facilities throughout the trail as well.

Clinton Discovery Trail

Gorgeous in parts

September, 2024 by katie.burke

The north most section has wonderful river views, picnic tables & benches. Then the trail runs along a heavy industrial area & is pretty ugly. The trail is also appears longer than the map indicates, but we turned back based on the map’s endpoint & poor scenery. TrailLink gives little mention to Eagle Point Park at the north end which is just amazing. If you just load/unload in their parking lot you will have missed the very best of the trail.

Galena River Trail

Super Trail!

September, 2024 by dpate

The Galena River Trail is well packed crushed stone suited for road bike tires. It meanders through the woods along the river and to the Mississippi River. There is a section that shares the road with death machines that are supposed to yield. This section has larger looser rock. Overall I rate this trail 5 stars and I recommend checking it out. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Accordion

Northwest Arterial Trail

Decent trail

September, 2024 by dpate

I rode the Northwest Arterial Trail on a chilly day in early September. It’s a nice paved trail that runs beside the NW Arterial Road so it’s a bit noisy and there are a few death machine crossings. It’s nice that it connects to the Heritage Trail in the north. I also found some Iowa hills! I give this one four stars for highway noise. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Heritage Trail (IA)

Fabulous trail

August, 2024 by dpate

I rode this trail over three days on ten mile out and back trips in perfect weather starting in Dubuque to Durango, then next day to Epworth, then on to Dyersville. I normally try to ride paved trails but this one was a pleasant surprise. The crushed stone is like cement and I could ride 18 MPH easily with no issue. It was very scenic and mostly shaded with no big hills. Even the recent rain on day two did not seem to affect it. I rate this one high! This is the epitome of a great gravel trail. 5 stars. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Bee Branch Trail

Nice little trail

August, 2024 by dpate

I happened upon this trail as I was riding the Heritage Trail that it connects to. Very enjoyable and beautiful trail. Great spot for the locals. 5 stars from me.. Traveling Cyclist Facebook

Pony Hollow Trail

Super trail!

August, 2024 by dpate

I rode this trail in August 2024. I normally prefer to stick to paved trails but I’m glad I checked this one out. It meanders through woods and along the Turkey River. It’s pretty smooth riding other than a short section of larger loose rock soon after heading south out of Elkader and at the underpass of Hwy 13 but it smooths out again for the remainder. I was able to maintain 18 mph with 700X38 tires. 5 stars for this guy. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Military Ridge State Trail

Not well maintained trail

July, 2024 by jessedirk

Like another user said, there are ruts and lots of loose gravel from Ridgeway to mount Horeb. Unfortunately I found one coming off a bridge and fell off my bike. I landed on right side l, got some bruises and road rash but no brokens or sprains. I had avoided some bigger, deeper ones closer to Mount Horeb but did not see this one between Ridgeway and Barneveld.

Cheese Country Recreation Trail

Not a biking trail. For ATV's.

July, 2024 by mvmadison105

Road Mineral to calamine and back on a ebike with 1.5" tires at 45psi. Scenic but rather brutal ride. Sections are ok but then you come across sections that are really rough. The atvs go fast relative to a bike rider plus generate lots of dust and noise. I would not recommend it for biking.

Military Ridge State Trail

Beware of ruts and loose sand!

July, 2024 by bcurley_tl

While this is mainly a beautiful trail, the section from Dodgeville to Mt Horeb has some technically challenging spots. Many major ruts and lots of loose sand that may grab your rear wheels. The stretch from Mt Horeb to Msn is Way better.

Military Ridge State Trail

Beware of ruts and loose sand!

July, 2024 by bcurley_tl

While this is mainly a beautiful trail, the section from Dodgeville to Mt Horeb has some technically challenging spots. Many major ruts and lots of loose sand that may grab your rear wheels. The stretch from Mt Horeb to Msn is Way better.

Mississippi Riverwalk Trail

very good

July, 2024 by sdd2fbcdqx

Not super busy and runs along side hotel. It has a very good view of the Mississippi River and it’s not very long

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