How many hiking trails are listed in Iowa?

The directory currently includes 167 quality-checked routes in Iowa, covering 2.1k km of mapped lines. These are routes with a traceable source, sufficient geometry and elevation data.

Which route ranks highest in Iowa?

ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 3 currently has the highest directory score in this set. Compare its distance, ascent and route type with ADT - Nebraska - M - Seg 1 and ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 2 before choosing.

When should you hike in Iowa?

Varies by region is the season stored for this place in the directory. It is not a live conditions report: consult the route source, land manager and local forecast before travelling.

Are there routes rated easy in Iowa?

106 routes are rated easy by the directory’s distance-and-elevation model. The rating does not rule out rough surface, exposure or temporary hazards, so verify the individual route.

🇺🇸 United States

Hiking trails in Iowa

167 quality-checked hiking routes are currently mapped in Iowa, United States. Together their route lines cover 2.1k km. The average route is 12.4 km with 49 m (161 ft) of recorded ascent.

167
Trails: 2.1k
Kilometres: 0
Parks: 437 m
Highest point

The directory difficulty mix is 106 easy (63%), 39 moderate (23%) and 22 hard or expert (14%). 50 routes (30%) are recorded as loops. Difficulty is calculated from available distance and elevation data; it is not a statement about technical terrain or current conditions.

The most frequent route tags are mountain (23), river (16), alpine meadow (9), forest (6). The highest recorded point in this set is 437 m (1,434 ft). The place-level planning field lists varies by region as the preferred season; check each route and official notices for live access and weather. ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 3, ADT - Nebraska - M - Seg 1, ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 2 currently lead this page’s directory ranking, which uses route completeness and computed route scores rather than editorial field testing.

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

97.2 km

ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 2

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

123 m

ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 2

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Comparison of the first 6 listed routes
Route	Distance	Ascent	Moving time	Shape
ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 3	128 km	125 m	30 hr	Point to point
ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 2	97.2 km	123 m	22 hr	Point to point
ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 4	121 km	167 m	28 hr	Point to point
ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 6	151 km	364 m	36 hr	Point to point
ADT - Nebraska - M - Seg 1	159 km	443 m	38 hr	Point to point
ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 5	197 km	284 m	47 hr	Point to point

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.