Heritage Trail, National Recreation Trail in Dubuque County, Iowa.
The Heritage Trail is a rail trail stretching between Dubuque and Dyersville with a crushed limestone surface that makes for smooth riding and walking. The path runs through the valley of the Little Maquoketa River, connecting small towns along its 26-mile route.
The trail follows the route of the Chicago Great Western Railroad, which operated beginning in the 1880s before being abandoned in 1981. The closure came after concerns about deteriorating bridge conditions made the line no longer safe to operate.
The route passes through farming communities that have shaped the landscape for generations, and it ends near where a famous movie was filmed, marking Iowa's connection to agriculture and popular culture. As you walk, you notice how these small towns are still centered around farming and seasonal rhythms.
Users over 12 years old need to purchase a pass to use the trail, which is available at several locations along the route. Passes can be found at sporting goods stores and parking areas throughout the trail.
The trail passes through areas with notable geological formations and remnants of former mining operations that shaped eastern Iowa's industrial past. These relics show a different side of the region's history before farming became the primary focus.
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