The Wabash Trace Nature Trail began as Iowa's longest rail-trail.
This 63-mile long crushed limestone trail was built in the late 1980s and early 1990s on a portion of the former Council Bluffs and St. Louis railroad. The trail is a pathway through a serene and unique landscape, often along the base of the Loess Hills. The Wabash provides some shade cover and is relatively flat, making this a great trail for all skill levels. You can travel the trail by foot, bicycle, skis, wheelchair, or snowshoes. No motorized vehicles are permitted.
The year-round trail includes a fee of $2 per day or $20 per year. You can pay in exact change at the trailhead or purchase annual passes online or at local retailers like Xtreme Wheels Bike and Sport in Council Bluffs.
The main trailhead is located at the Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park. You can park your vehicle here before heading out on the trail. Along the way, you will find several local restaurants, bars, and diners to stop at.
Mileage Between Towns:
The trail is best known for being the home of the Thursday Taco Ride. This is a weekly event that typically goes from spring through the late fall. Cyclists meet at the trailhead and head out on a 20-mile round-trip trek for tacos at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. Read the blog on UNleashCB to find out more about this well-known event.
