Visit Decorah

When you travel to the Northeast corner of Iowa things get a little…different. Signature plains of the Midwest roll into hills and valleys crossed by dozens of glittering rivers and streams. Decorah lies nestled in one of these valleys along the Upper Iowa River, in the heart of the Driftless Region. Cyclists of all persuasions visit Decorah for its location and outdoor recreation. The trails of Decorah call to all weekend warriors, casual commuters, gravel junkies, speed demons, and everyone in between. View our Event Calendar to see what is going on in town.

Trails

The Trout Run Trail is an 11-mile paved loop circling the city of Decorah. It includes flat sections along the river, switchbacks through rolling hills, and numerous stop-off points to take photos and relax. Locals and visitors use the trail for walking, cycling, skiing, and other forms of human powered transportation. The trail passes by the Fish hatchery and Decorah Eagles' Nest.

Decorah’s park system boasts over 30 miles of off road and single-track trails ideally suited for experienced riders. Hikers and cross-country skiers also enjoy the extensive trail system throughout the year.

The Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail is a “rail-to-trail” system that follows an old railroad line, offering a flat, 20-mile route. This paved trail starts in the neighboring town of Calmar (10-minute drive). This trail also goes through Ridgeway to Cresco.

The Freeport Trail is a 2.75 mile extension of the Trout Run Trail, running northeast through the scenic community of Freeport.

Check out Decorah's Trail Page for more details.

Iowa Outdoors showcases the Decorah Mountain Bike Trails

Bicycle Shops

Decorah Bicycles offers a variety of rental options including fat bikes, hybrids, kid's bikes and E-bikes. All rentals include helmets.

Oneota River Cycles offers bike repair, accessories, and local expertise. A great stop to plan your route or pick up supplies.

Breweries

Pulpit Rock Brewing Co.

Located along the beautiful Upper Iowa River, Pulpit Rock's taproom is a peaceful stop for locals and visitors enjoying everything Decorah has to offer. The tasting room blends a cozy, rustic feeling with reclaimed barn wood walls & tabletops alongside the pride of their Founder's alma mater, Luther College. Seating for roughly 50 guests keeps things lively yet thoughtful for conversations. During the warmer months, the bay door opens to a shaded patio which doubles Pulpit Rock's capacity. Pulpit Rock Brewing was expressly designed as a destination for people of all backgrounds and tastes. With a vibrant but balanced tap list, they encourage you to stop in and experience their approach to Contemporary American Beer.

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

Clark and Barb Lewey founded Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in 2009 after a runaway success in home brewing. In less than a decade TG has become world renowned for its IPA’s and barrel-aged stouts, distributes to 17 states, and brews more than 30 beers. In order to meet overwhelming demand, the Lewey's have constructed a new 100-barrel facility which houses a taproom, restaurant, and brewery in one location on Highway 9. TG prides itself in crafting truly top shelf beer and is honored to be growing with the support of its many customers worldwide.

PIVO Brewery

PIVO means ‘beer’ in the Czech language and that's what you'll get with 40 taps of beer and cider in a taproom nestled between a brewery and art studio. Located just west of Hwy 52 on the north side of Calmar, the brewery focuses on utilizing farm-to-table ingredients with a large orchard located on the property. A tremendous variety of ever-changing beer styles is on tap, along with a small menu of homemade soup, stew, charcuterie, and a couple vegetarian options. The tap room is family friendly with a coloring corner for children, a sunny fenced in patio, and a grass filled beer garden. A short spur off the Prairie Farmer bike trail goes directly past the tap room patio.

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