Looking for the best trails around Waterloo?

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.

Recent Trail Reviews

Great American Rail-Trail

such a beautiful trail!

October, 2024 by sherryschie

We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!

Sergeant Road Trail

Good trail

September, 2024 by dpate

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

Cedar Valley Lakes Trail

Trail closed

September, 2024 by dpate

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

Accordion

Cedar Valley Nature Trail

Kind of rough

September, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

In early September 2024 I started this Cedar Valley Trail in Evansdale and headed south. The trail was paved but it has a lot of big perpendicular cracks and little sink spots that detract from the enjoyment. Too bad they haven't paint marked the bad spots that you cannot see when they're in shadow. It is one of the rougher trails I have ridden and I was begging for it to turn into crushed stone. At Miller Creek Road the trail was closed. I believe it's where the much wanted gravel section would have started. I think they are paving the gravel parts so the new parts should be good when completed. I was anxious to ride this trail but I was a little let down by the condition and the closing. 4 stars for surface condition.
Traveling cyclist
Facebook

Evansdale Nature Trail

Nice trail

September, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

I discovered this trail after connecting from the Gilbert Drive Trail. It is a great little trail.
Traveling cyclist
Facebook

Gilbert Drive Trail

Good connector

September, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

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

Waverly Rail Trail

Nice trail

August, 2024 by dpate

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

Charley Western Recreational Trailway

Great trail!

August, 2024 by dpate

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

Rolling Prairie Trail

best and worst trail

August, 2024 by kg4duke_tl

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.

Great American Rail-Trail

West bound from Ellensburg. August 2024

August, 2024 by tastesbadtobears

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.

Big Woods Trail (IA)

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.

July, 2024 by tv79moo

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.

Linn Creek Recreational Trail

pretty nice

December, 2023 by cthibalt

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.

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