Explore the best rated trails in Ft Madison, IA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Fort Madison PORT Trail and Fairfield Loop Trail . With more than 9 trails covering 69 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.
I found this trail while riding the Fairfield loop that it intersects with on the south side. It’s a nice well packed crushed stone trail with a couple nice bridges and a pit toilet along with benches. I only road the off road part of the trail as I turned around when it changed to gravel roads. I rate this trail 5 stars. Traveling cyclist Facebook
I rode this trail in late Sept 2024. I started at 9th street and Gear Ave and attempted to ride clockwise but the trail was closed near Chautauqua Park and I got lost on the detour so I rode through town back to where I started and rode counterclockwise. I was going to ride around to the closing on the other side but I got side tracked by the Cedar View Trail which was also great. The Loop is a treasure for the people that live in the area. Much of the in town parts are paved and the rest is smooth crushed rock. I give this trail 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook In
Overall I was pleasantly surprised at the scenery and variety along this trail. I started at the Maasdam Barns (next to the Health Center) and went clockwise. The first issue I encountered was a closure at Kale Blvd a little over a mile in. I didn’t see any indication the trail was going to be closed at this area ahead of time. Fortunately there wasn’t a work activity at the time and others had been going around the barriers. The other trail closure at Chautauqua Park had better signage for the detour. The trail was a mix of crushed limestone, concrete path and a section of gravel road.
I live just a couple of blocks from the Lamson Woods entrance and travel this trail ALL the time - biking and walking. The views and wildlife will feed your nature-loving soul. A section winds through the edge of the city, but very biker friendly. You can take sweet side rides through Chautauqua, Waterworks, and Jefferson County Park, as well as the Cedar View section. It includes both open and tree-lined portions and a few manageable hills. The trail is well-kept in all kinds of weather and shows off all four Iowa seasons. You can park and hop on this trail at more than a dozen spots. Do it!at
This trail is so beautiful, changes seasonally, has so many different kinds of nature scenes ranging from pine forest to meadow to wild flower marshes. It is a dream for me to ride my bike on. I have spent many hours of this diversified nature trail. Thank you Fairfield!
Beautiful place to take a walk, run, or bike ride. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
The first part was fully overgrown. Maybe the sections in the north get better...
Started at the hospital and went east. after navigating through the steep gravel and getting on a paved road, the signage stopped. we floundered about riding through nice neighborhoods looking for signs and getting frustrated. we finally found a signed intersection and using map reading skills managed to pick up the trail in a different neighborhood. Turns out that the TH at Lamson Woods State Preserve was being rebuilt and the big equipment blocked or removed the TH signs so we missed that turnoff completely. the trail is alot of fun (loop trails always are), over hill over dale through wetlands, neighborhoods, across rail lines w/ trains on them and then through the industrial section of Fairfield past the Walmart. At about this time and through Witham Woods, there was no-one else on the trail. Thick gravel and hills along Hiway 34 back to the start point.
I love the landscape diversity I get to experience on this trail. There are some great views with a mix of hills and flat stretches. Gives you a great view of what southeast Iowa has to offer. Everyone should come out and check out this 16 mile loop. Also there are plenty of places in Fairfield to stop. I would suggest biking to the Fishback and Stephenson Cider House. It’s right off the the trail near Pleasant Lake. They are only open for supper and brunch only on Sundays.
I was riding west on the American Discovery Trail. When I reached the Hoover Nature Trail I was extremely disappointed. My wife was meeting me there to ride this section but it was totally overgrown! No way to ride it. I would have rated this a zero if possible.
Wow, showed up to the Coneville trail and it was completely over run with weeds and grass! Really disappointed:
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!