How many hiking trails are listed near Des Moines?

The directory currently includes 72 quality-checked routes near Des Moines, covering 864 km of mapped lines. These are routes with a traceable source, sufficient geometry and elevation data.

Which route ranks highest near Des Moines?

ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 4 currently has the highest directory score in this set. Compare its distance, ascent and route type with Dragoon Trail - Des Moines to Lake Red Rock and Original Raccoon River Valley Trail before choosing.

When should you hike near Des Moines?

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 near Des Moines?

50 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.

How is “near Des Moines” defined?

Routes on this page are linked within a 50 km radius of the city. Distances are geographic straight-line measurements, not driving times; open each route to plan the actual journey.

What is the closest hike to Des Moines?

Principal Riverwalk is the nearest mapped route, about 1.4 km from the city centre.

Iowa, United States

Hiking trails near Des Moines

72 quality-checked hiking routes are currently mapped within 50 km of Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Together their route lines cover 864 km. The average route is 12.0 km with 35 m (115 ft) of recorded ascent.

72
Trails: 50 km
Search radius: 50
Easy routes: 1.4 km
Closest

The directory difficulty mix is 50 easy (69%), 11 moderate (15%) and 11 hard or expert (16%). 22 routes (31%) 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 (12), river (7), lake (4), alpine meadow (2). The highest recorded point in this set is 349 m (1,145 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 4, Dragoon Trail - Des Moines to Lake Red Rock, Original Raccoon River Valley Trail 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

51.5 km

Raccoon River Valley Trail North Loop

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

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

38 m

Raccoon River Valley Trail North Loop

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 4	121 km	167 m	28 hr	Point to point
Dragoon Trail - Des Moines to Lake Red Rock	73.8 km	221 m	17 hr	Point to point
Original Raccoon River Valley Trail	91.0 km	124 m	21 hr	Point to point
Raccoon River Valley Trail North Loop	51.5 km	38 m	11 hr	Point to point
Dragoon Trail - Boone to Des Moines	70.1 km	278 m	16 hr	Point to point
High Trestle Trail	61.7 km	76 m	14 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.