Fairfield has gained national attention as a hotbed for artistic talent, cultural diversity and community wellness. A common link among these characteristics is the 30-mile Jefferson County Trails System.
The centerpiece of the trails system is the 16-mile Fairfield Loop Trail. The loop trail was first conceived in 1997 and the final mile was completed in 2011. The Fairfield Loop Trail was recognized as the best trail in the state of Iowa at the 2013 MidAmerica Trails and Greenways Conference held in Chicago, Illinois.
From rolling hills to wetlands to lakeside views, the Jefferson County Trails System showcases beautiful landscapes of rural Iowa. The trail system features numerous bridges, eight public art displays, five parks, and three lakes. Trail users traveling around the loop will experience over 800 feet of vertical climb, pass by the Golden Domes at Maharishi International University, and visit the National Register of Historic Places Maasdam Barns and Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm.
At 246 feet long, the Louden Bridge is one of the loop trail’s largest bridges.