The best walks and hikes in Iowa
4.8
(38)
760
hikers
129
hikes
United States? In this guide, we’ve reviewed our full collection of hikes and walking routes in Iowa to bring you the best hiking routes in the region. To see which of our walks in Iowa is the right one for you, browse real tips and photos uploaded by other hikers—and see what they had to say about each walk.
Last updated: November 1, 2025
51
hikers
1. Gray's Lake Park loop — Des Moines, Iowa
3.14km
00:48
0m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(3)
33
hikers
2. North Loop — Brown's Woods — West Des Moines
4.99km
01:20
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
12
hikers
3. Pikes Peak State Park loop — Clayton County, Iowa
16.5km
04:38
340m
340m
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
14
hikers
4. Easter Lake Park loop — Des Moines, Iowa
6.84km
01:44
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
10
hikers
5. Tallgrass Trail loop — Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
3.64km
00:57
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
7
hikers
6. Big Woods Lake loop — Black Hawk County, Iowa
3.60km
00:54
0m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
6
hikers
7. Ada Hayden Heritage Park loop — Story County, Iowa
6.42km
01:38
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
4
hikers
8. Peggy's Trail loop — ISU Applied Sciences Complex (Reactor Woods)
3.26km
00:51
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
5
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
hikers
10. Dunning's Spring Park & Barnhart-Van Peenen Park loop — Decorah, Iowa
7.28km
02:02
140m
140m
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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