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 256 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.
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The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
Located in the scenic riverside city of Clinton, the Clinton Discovery Trail offers trail users a wonderful way to make the most of the city's prime location on the banks of the Mississippi River....
Paul Skeffington Memorial Trail is a 5-mile pathway in Dewitt, Iowa. The trail provides safe, well-shaded access from residential neighborhoods to the 100 acre Westbrook Park. It includes a concrete...
The Military Ridge State Trail finds the high ground as it rolls across 40 miles of idyllic farmland from the outskirts of Madison to the historic mining town of Dodgeville. It follows an American...
The Great River Trail is a breathtaking journey along more than 60 miles of the Mississippi River in northern Illinois. In places, the paved trail follows the former spur route of the Chicago, St....
The Galena River Trail is built upon an old railroad spur of the Burlington Railroad main line, constructed in 1886. The spur linked Galena to Galena Junction, where the main railroad linestill...
The Bee Branch Trail forms an important connection between the almost thirty-mile Heritage Trail, the crown jewel of the area's trail system, and the Mississippi River and Chaplain Schmitt Island,...
The Forest Hills Trail is a nice multi-use recreation trail that forms a circuit around a subdivision in the city of Asbury, just west of Dubuque. Perfect for walking, jogging, and other forms of...
The Sanders Creek Trail begins on the north end of Boscobel and winds southward through town along its namesake creek. The paved pathway offers a pleasant experience in a greenspace bordering quiet...
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Built on the same route that a streetcar once used to carry passengers to the impressive overlooks of Eagle Point Park, the half-mile long Trolley Line Trail provides a convenient and scenic means of...
The Manchester Walkway/Bikeway Trails are a network of concrete paths that form a disconnected circuit around the small city of Manchester, Iowa. The pathway provides a great opportunity for cyclists...
A short trail that makes creative use of a utility corridor on the southeastern bluffs of Dubuque, the Alliant Powerline Trail provides a paved, tree-lined path perfect for dog-walking or exercising -...
A spacious path easily identifiable by it's red-patterned concrete, the Mississippi Riverwalk Trail runs just under a mile along the river, connecting some of Dubuque's major tourist attractions and...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
The Wisconsin River Trail is a developing pathway which will one day connect the communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka in southwestern Wisconsin. The loop trail will be built in four phases...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
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The Heritage Trail rolls along like a dream for nearly 30 miles from the Mississippi River town of Dubuque to Dyersville, home of the movie set for Field of Dreams. Along the way it passes through the...
The Dubuque Jaycees Trail runs for just over a mile from Pyatigorsk Park (named for a Russian sister city to Dubuque) up to the 8-acre A.Y. McDonald Park, a popular fishing and boat launch spot...
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The Central City Trail winds for 3 miles along the banks of the Wapsinicon River, running through Pinicon Ridge County Park into downtown Central City. Pinicon Ridge County Park is 966 acres of...
The Bear River Recreation Trail follows part of the Maquoketa River outside of Spragueville and Preston, through bucolic countryside of woodlands, farms and river lowlands. You can start the trail in...
Located in the quaint community of Lost Nation, the Gilroy Rustic Park Trail is one of the most picturesque places in Clinton County. The half-mile path is lined with trees and, although the trail is...
The Manchester Walkway/Bikeway Trails are a network of concrete paths that form a disconnected circuit around the small city of Manchester, Iowa. The pathway provides a great opportunity for cyclists...
The Dubuque Jaycees Trail runs for just over a mile from Pyatigorsk Park (named for a Russian sister city to Dubuque) up to the 8-acre A.Y. McDonald Park, a popular fishing and boat launch spot...
The Pony Hollow Trail in the northeastern Iowa city of Elkader offers a scenic route through woodlands and wetlands along the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad bed. The western half of...
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About 8 miles of the Grant Wood Trail in Linn County has been constructed so far (2012) along a former Milwaukee Road right-of-way between Marion and Martelle. The trail currently is in three separate...
An asphalt path lined with cracks and sprouting grass, the Southern Levy Trail might not be much to look at itself, and its route limits its usefulness as anything but an out-and-back recreational...
The Bear River Recreation Trail follows part of the Maquoketa River outside of Spragueville and Preston, through bucolic countryside of woodlands, farms and river lowlands. You can start the trail in...
The Pecatonica State Trail is never far from water as it takes the easygoing Bonner Branch Valley through the rolling hills and rocky bluffs of southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, a region that the...
A short trail that makes creative use of a utility corridor on the southeastern bluffs of Dubuque, the Alliant Powerline Trail provides a paved, tree-lined path perfect for dog-walking or exercising -...
The Military Ridge State Trail finds the high ground as it rolls across 40 miles of idyllic farmland from the outskirts of Madison to the historic mining town of Dodgeville. It follows an American...
The Central City Trail winds for 3 miles along the banks of the Wapsinicon River, running through Pinicon Ridge County Park into downtown Central City. Pinicon Ridge County Park is 966 acres of...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
Built on the same route that a streetcar once used to carry passengers to the impressive overlooks of Eagle Point Park, the half-mile long Trolley Line Trail provides a convenient and scenic means of...
Paul Skeffington Memorial Trail is a 5-mile pathway in Dewitt, Iowa. The trail provides safe, well-shaded access from residential neighborhoods to the 100 acre Westbrook Park. It includes a concrete...
If you’re looking for an invigorating motorized-trail experience, the Cheese Country Recreation Trail (aka the Tri-County Trail) won’t disappoint. If you’re on foot, hoof, or self-propelled two...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
The Heritage Trail rolls along like a dream for nearly 30 miles from the Mississippi River town of Dubuque to Dyersville, home of the movie set for Field of Dreams. Along the way it passes through the...
The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
Nestled amidst the suburban landscape on the western outskirts of Dubuque, the Bergfeld Recreation Area is a 30-acre park with playgrounds, fishing spots on the Bergfeld Pond, and the Bergfeld...
The Galena River Trail is built upon an old railroad spur of the Burlington Railroad main line, constructed in 1886. The spur linked Galena to Galena Junction, where the main railroad linestill...
The Bee Branch Trail forms an important connection between the almost thirty-mile Heritage Trail, the crown jewel of the area's trail system, and the Mississippi River and Chaplain Schmitt Island,...
Nestled amidst the suburban landscape on the western outskirts of Dubuque, the Bergfeld Recreation Area is a 30-acre park with playgrounds, fishing spots on the Bergfeld Pond, and the Bergfeld...
Located in the scenic riverside city of Clinton, the Clinton Discovery Trail offers trail users a wonderful way to make the most of the city's prime location on the banks of the Mississippi River....
About 8 miles of the Grant Wood Trail in Linn County has been constructed so far (2012) along a former Milwaukee Road right-of-way between Marion and Martelle. The trail currently is in three separate...
Located in the quaint community of Lost Nation, the Gilroy Rustic Park Trail is one of the most picturesque places in Clinton County. The half-mile path is lined with trees and, although the trail is...
The Sanders Creek Trail begins on the north end of Boscobel and winds southward through town along its namesake creek. The paved pathway offers a pleasant experience in a greenspace bordering quiet...
The Great River Trail is a breathtaking journey along more than 60 miles of the Mississippi River in northern Illinois. In places, the paved trail follows the former spur route of the Chicago, St....
The Pecatonica State Trail is never far from water as it takes the easygoing Bonner Branch Valley through the rolling hills and rocky bluffs of southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, a region that the...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
The Heritage Trail rolls along like a dream for nearly 30 miles from the Mississippi River town of Dubuque to Dyersville, home of the movie set for Field of Dreams. Along the way it passes through the...
The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
A short trail that makes creative use of a utility corridor on the southeastern bluffs of Dubuque, the Alliant Powerline Trail provides a paved, tree-lined path perfect for dog-walking or exercising -...
A spacious path easily identifiable by it's red-patterned concrete, the Mississippi Riverwalk Trail runs just under a mile along the river, connecting some of Dubuque's major tourist attractions and...
The Pony Hollow Trail in the northeastern Iowa city of Elkader offers a scenic route through woodlands and wetlands along the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad bed. The western half of...
The Wisconsin River Trail is a developing pathway which will one day connect the communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka in southwestern Wisconsin. The loop trail will be built in four phases...
If you’re looking for an invigorating motorized-trail experience, the Cheese Country Recreation Trail (aka the Tri-County Trail) won’t disappoint. If you’re on foot, hoof, or self-propelled two...
The Dubuque Jaycees Trail runs for just over a mile from Pyatigorsk Park (named for a Russian sister city to Dubuque) up to the 8-acre A.Y. McDonald Park, a popular fishing and boat launch spot...
Paul Skeffington Memorial Trail is a 5-mile pathway in Dewitt, Iowa. The trail provides safe, well-shaded access from residential neighborhoods to the 100 acre Westbrook Park. It includes a concrete...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
The Galena River Trail is built upon an old railroad spur of the Burlington Railroad main line, constructed in 1886. The spur linked Galena to Galena Junction, where the main railroad linestill...
Saturday May 21, 2022 -- my first time to check out this trail. I rode out about 10 miles, starting in Dubuque's Comiskey Park, and returning for about 22 miles round trip. The four miles nearest DBQ were paved, the rest well maintained crushed limestone. Not at all crowded (50F temp) and a very pleasant ride. Once you are a few miles from DBQ, the scenery is sweet and keeps changing. I will be back, for sure! Enjoy the ride.
Very easy trail. I would walk it again.
In 2021, the longest segment of the trail was extended further west within Marion and now ends at 7th STREET. That stretch is about six miles long from the east endpoint at Oxley Road. The trail goes underneath Highway 13/151.
There is also another segment of trail within Marion that is about 1.3 miles in length. The western endpoint is just east of C Avenue NE. The trail has a high bridge over Indian Creek, and the trail dead ends just west of Marion Blvd. When I visited on 10/04/2021, there was construction underway to complete the 4/10's of a mile gap between the two sections described above. Hopefully, my review will also soon be out of date, and the connected stretches making one eight-mile trail.
The middle 2.3 mile stretch from Creekside Road to Springville Road is primitive, but passable. I would describe that stretch as grass growing through a narrow, gravel footpath. The grass is kept mowed. That stretch is scenic, with full-sized trees. However, with the primitive surface, I had to carefully watch where I was riding, instead of being able to gaze around.
The eastern-most stretch, between Alderman Road and Martelle should not be listed as a trail. It is not maintained, and there are multiple places with trees blocking the abandoned right of way.
Fantastic views of the Mississippi River and bridges connecting Dubuque, IA to Wisconsin & Illinois. Dog friendly, not too crowded with a few bikers. Great asphalt path and freshly mowed grass down to the river’s edge.
The trail does not end abruptly at the BNSF Railroad mainline at the location called Galena Junction. There are not any future plans to extend the trail beyond Galena Jct, because the trail was extended in the past.
The c. 2019 extension is about two miles long, heading SE from Galena Jct alongside the BNSF mainline to Aiken.
Went 20+ miles without seeing a sole, great trails, little rough in spots. One washout we barely missed that would have put you deep into your seatbelts
Great job of clean up on the east end since last fall. Grass area west of Springville is a nice ride even on a hybrid. Last September it was largely impassable with downed trees from the derecho, but looks good now.
We camped at Blue Mound State Park and biked the first day to Dodgeville. The camp is at mile marker 22, so 36 miles round trip. Great scenery as the elevation is high: distant farmlands, golf courses, forest,…. The trail is in great condition, winding and rolling throughout farmlands, wooded area, prairies, and small rural communities. Our return trip was in misting rain and the forecast for storms later that week canceled our plans for the eastern leg until another time.
Very nice. Not for biking or running, but perfect for ATVs, though frequent bridges are a bit of a pain. Lots of close by paved trails for runners.
Rode on Friday the 18th. Saw 2 walkers but no bikers. Started at the Galena Recreation Park. Added the 2.6 miles to get to the bottom of Chestnut Mountain Resort and the trail to entrance of Buehler Preserve. Ended with a total of 21.1. Because of my age I was glad to have my pedal assist bike. Nice day.
Had a fun ride on this trail. In spite of rain all of the previous day, the trail was in good shape. It wasn’t crowded. Pretty scenery and lots of “cathedral tree shade”. We even saw indigo buntings! A few inclines, but we have Ebikes, so no problems for us. We will do this again next time in Galena
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