Wabash Trace Nature Trail

What a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon! Well maintained and easy to navigate. Awesome way to spend a day with nature.

Great trail, 63 miles long, all the way to Missouri! Very fun for walking or cycling. Also, many great stops along the way (small towns, churches, landmarks, etc). Also, we stopped at Tasty Treet at the beginning of the trail for ice cream and thoroughly enjoyed it.Definitely recommend trying different sections of this trail or doing the entire trail! Also, many groups do "taco and margarita" rides starting in Council Bluffs, talk with your local bike shop to find out more. There is a small box at the trail asking for a $2.00 donation for adults to maintain the trail.Awesome tree coverage and nature for a fun day out in Iowa.

The Wabash Trace is a converted railroad right-of-way that runs 62 miles from Council Bluffs on the north to Blanchard on the Iowa/Missouri border. If you haven't been there yet, you should go. We have ridden our bikes on it many times and it's always fun. It's also popular with walkers and runners and can be used by folks in wheelchairs. A horse trail runs parallel. The great thing about being a converted rail line is that the inclines are very doable. Most recently we started in Council Bluffs and went towards Mineola which is about 9.6 miles one way. Unfortunately, due to a bike malfunction, we only rode about 5 miles. There is a suggested trail fee of $2.00 a day or $20 a year to help with expenses associated with trail maintenance. The trail is not supported by tax dollars. Most of the surface is crushed limestone but there are also some concrete segments. On a previous outing, we started in Mineola and rode north to a wide spot nicknamed Margaritaville. It's a good stopping point between Mineola and Council Bluffs with a porta potty and picnic tables. On that particular day we were slowed down by debris such as walnuts, branches and a couple of downed trees from a storm. We eventually walked our bikes because it was getting dark and hard to see the debris. It's very dark at night under the trees with farm lights and barking dogs in the distance. Even with lights on our bikes, it was an uneasy adventure. On Thursdays there is a Taco Ride from Council Bluffs to the Mineola Tobey Jack's Steakhouse. If you like a party atmosphere, you will love riding your bike to get tacos there. As long as the weather is good, a bunch of riders go. Lights are essential if you come back late. We have been on different segments as far as Shenandoah. Some day we'll make to Blanchard.

First time trying Wabash Trail Nature Trail. I wanted a nice bike ride and this has long been recommended by friends. The trail is nice and flat and through wooded areas for most of the route. Enjoyed that they had little benches for rest and relaxing all along the way. Some very beautiful views and great escape from the city. People along the route were so friendly too, a mix of walkers, runners and bicyclists. Made our way down to Tobey Jack's for lunch and a couple drinks. Just the perfect day all around. I can't wait to try this trail again!

The Wabash Trace is 63 miles of crushed limestone, stretching from Council Bluffs to Blanchard, MO. It's part of the rails-to-trails system, a project that has picked up steam in recent years to convert abandoned rail lines into usable recreation spaces.This trail, mostly shaded and with pleasant rural scenery, is my go-to for biking in the Council Bluffs/Omaha metro. Trailhead in southeast Council Bluffs is easily accessible. A short ride entails riding to Mineola and back. It's uphill until Dumfries, then you coast on into Mineola. There is a restaurant in Mineola, but not much else; pack your eats and drinks. If I'm feeling good, I ride 4.3 miles more past Mineola to Silver City; 2 miles slightly uphill; 2 down. Also minimal amenities in Silver City, however; there is a soda machine by the library there. If I'm feeling ambitious, on a morning I'll ride 8 more miles to Malvern. Here, there is more to see in town. There are local eateries, a Casey's, and it's fun to bike around downtown.A word to the wise and casual or even serious biker: Don't ride the Trace on a Thursday night. The Taco Ride is every Thursday, and its ridership is only increasing; the trail in addition to the parking lot on this night each week is packed.Be sure to pay if you partake. It's $1/day or $10 for an annual pass.