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Type: Rail Trail

Length: 26 miles

Surface: Paved


Condition

Awesome Shape

Grade - Gentle Grades


Amenities


Description

The High Trestle Trail is part of the 670-mile Central Iowa Trail System. The trail currently runs from through Woodward, Madrid, Slater, Sheldahl and Ankeny.

The centerpiece of the trail is the High Trestle Trail bride located between Madrid and Woodward. The Bridge is one of the largest trail bridges in the country. The bridge rises 13 stories and visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view from six overlooks.

"A nocturnal bridge crossing is an absolute must for any visit," writes Rails to Trails magazine editor-in-chief Karl Wirsing.



Location - Where is this Trail?

The trail is located in Central Iowa and extends through four counties (Polk, Story, Boone and Dallas).
The trail is easy to get to from either Interstate I80 or I35.


 

 

 

 



Trailheads

There are Trailheads at Ankeny, Slater, Madrid and Woodward. There is also a parking area near the bridge off QF Lane which is the first gravel road to the East of the Bridge off 334th Road (the highway that runs parallel to the trail on the North)  MAP


Sites & Attractions

Whether you want to eat, drink, rest, shop, camp, look at historical sites, or get a hotel, there is plenty to do along the High Trestle Trail!

There are plenty of sites and attractions in each community. Be sure to stop and "smell the roses".

The bridge with it's lighted archways is as breathtaking at night as it is in the day.



produced by the city of ankeny

History of the Trail

Here are some Trail facts and history of the High Trestle Trail.
The trail opened on April 30th 2011.



Future Plans

Planned Mileage: 6 miles - The Ankeny Connector project aims to extend the High Trestle Trail another six miles from the center of Ankeny to the north side of Des Moines. The project received funding on Oct 14th 2014 for $782,500 along with 12 other State Recreational Trails Projects.


Contributors

The following members have contributed to the above Trail content.


This trail was last edited by bikeiowa on Apr 10, 2021.

Upcoming Events

Gents Race 14

6 Saturday Apr 2024
  • Slater, IA
  • Gravel
  •    1,070

Pedal with the Police

5 Sunday May 2024
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Safety/Education/Training
  •    144

Pigtails Ride

18 Saturday May 2024
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    29

Break the Cycle Challenge Ride - Des Moines (25/50/100 miles)

8 Saturday Jun 2024
  • Ankeny, IA
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Iowa Gravel Project #11 Ankeny *Wednesday Special*

12 Wednesday Jun 2024
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Gravel
  •    133

Break the Cycle 200 Ride - Des Moines

21 Friday Jun 2024
  • West Des Moines, IA
  • Road
  •    237

Midwest Tandem Rally

30 Friday Aug 2024 - 2 Monday Sep 2024
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    383

2nd Annual 5 Card Poker Bike Ride To KICK KIDS CANCER

1 Sunday Sep 2024
  • Slater, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    4

Inaugural High Raccoon Trail Grand Fondo

19 Saturday Oct 2024
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    1,107

 

Past Events

BiketoberFest

30 Saturday Sep 2023
  • Polk City, IA
  • Other
  •    1,072

Northwestern Trailhead Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

18 Monday Sep 2023
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Other
  •    875

Embrace the Hills 2023

16 Saturday Sep 2023
  • Mondamin, IA
  • Road
  •    5,166

Kyle's Bikes Parking Lot Sale 2023

14 Thursday Sep 2023 - 17 Sunday Sep 2023
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Expo/Sales/Swap
  •    909

Bicycle Poker Run

3 Sunday Sep 2023
  • Ankeny Des Moines and Slater, IA
  • Other
  •    866

Bikeapalooza Fun Ride Trail Fundraiser

26 Saturday Aug 2023
  • Perisa, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    848

High Trestle Fest 2023

17 Saturday Jun 2023
  • Mad, IA
  • Destination
  •    2,447

Trestle Hustle

17 Saturday Jun 2023
  • Madrid, IA
  • Other
  •    1,546

HANDLEBAR Happy Hour - Firetrucker Brewery & Trailside Tap

18 Thursday May 2023
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Destination
  •    2,374

High Trestle Trail Full Moon Rides

6 Saturday May 2023
  • Madrid, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    2,069

Pedal with the Police

6 Saturday May 2023
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Safety/Education/Training
  •    1,793

Kyle's Bikes Garage Sale 2023

27 Thursday Apr 2023 - 30 Sunday Apr 2023
  • Ankeny, IA
  • Expo/Sales/Swap
  •    1,533

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  • Sun January 28 2024
  •   472
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Road Trippin at the High Trestle Trail Bridge

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  • Thu October 5 2023
  •   471
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Iowa Realty Home Show - Ankeny - A Community Up Close

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  • Tue July 11 2023
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READY. SET. BIKE IOWA! - a Fun Friday Word Search

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  • Mon March 13 2023
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Hotel Pattee Staycation

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  • Wed March 8 2023
  •   1,387
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Best of the Midwest Awards Winners 2023

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  • Mon March 6 2023
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Paul Black Memorial Plaza

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  • Mon January 30 2023
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  • Tue January 3 2023
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The Torres Team with RE/MAX Concepts joins as a new BIKEIOWA Sponsor

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  • Wed November 9 2022
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Edit Trail

Members of the BIKEIOWA Community can update Trail information. We figure that YOU may know more about the Trail than WE do.

Edit

Latest High Trestle Trail News

Have You Crossed Iowa’s Most Unique Bridge?

  • Tue November 07 2023
  •   461

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Iowa By Trail

I think the Metal Cowboy rode off into the sunset last night on his way to Sioux City. A friend talked to a guy at the bridge that's been riding for over 20 days from Pittsburg wanting to know where to stay around Madrid. Then another friend said he passed a bagger wearing a cowboy hat on his way to Woodward! Could that be Joe Kurmeskie the famous Metal Cowboy? I thought I read he was riding from Pittsburg but maybe not.

#4 - clunker posted Jul 9, 2015


Be prepared to dismount your steed just west of Madrid. A few feet of trail has been removed. A plywood crossing has been provided to keep your bike clear of the mud. Happy Riding!

#3 - iowabikerides posted Mar 20, 2014


BIKEIOWA has not heard any updates (yet).

#2 - ss posted Aug 27, 2012


I am just wondering does anyone have any info about the accident on the Trail Sunday or hear of the womans condition.?

#1 - Turtlemom posted Aug 27, 2012


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