The High Trestle Trail is a wonderful, paved rail-trail that runs for 30 miles between Oralabor and Woodward. The trail is especially known for the 130-foot-tall High Trestle Bridge, which contains the From Here to There art installation — 43 twisting, diamond-shaped steel ribs lined with LED lights. Run here at night! While the closest access point of the trail to Des Moines is in Oralabor, it’s worth the 1/2 hour drive to the area around the High Trestle Bridge in Madrid, which is closer to the Woodward end of the trail.
From Here to There. Photo: Flickr – Carol VanHook
From the trailhead off S Main St. in Woodward, head east on the trail, passing through farmland. Just east of the Des Moines River, at the 3.7-mile mark is the High Trestle Bridge/From Here to There. Continue east, passing through a combination of farmland and wooded landscape. Madrid is at ~5 miles. At 12 miles in Slater (nice wildflowers in season), the trail heads south through Sheldahl, Crocker, & Ankeny, ending just south at Oralabor.
New Extension: As of 2024, a new, paved extension continues the trail for 9 miles west to Perry. In Perry, you can connect to the 88-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail!
Additional Connections: Heart of Iowa Trail (Huxley, just east of Slater); Oralabor Gateway Trail (off SE Oralabor Rd.).
The High Trestle Trail is a wonderful, paved rail-trail that runs for 30 miles between Oralabor and Woodward. The trail is especially known for the 130-foot-tall High Trestle Bridge, which contains the From Here to There art installation — 43 twisting, diamond-shaped steel ribs lined with LED lights. Run here at night! While the closest access point of the trail to Des Moines is in Oralabor, it’s worth the 1/2 hour drive to the area around the High Trestle Bridge in Madrid, which is closer to the Woodward end of the trail.
From Here to There. Photo: Flickr – Carol VanHook
From the trailhead off S Main St. in Woodward, head east on the trail, passing through farmland. Just east of the Des Moines River, at the 3.7-mile mark is the High Trestle Bridge/From Here to There. Continue east, passing through a combination of farmland and wooded landscape. Madrid is at ~5 miles. At 12 miles in Slater (nice wildflowers in season), the trail heads south through Sheldahl, Crocker, & Ankeny, ending just south at Oralabor.
New Extension: As of 2024, a new, paved extension continues the trail for 9 miles west to Perry. In Perry, you can connect to the 88-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail!
Additional Connections: Heart of Iowa Trail (Huxley, just east of Slater); Oralabor Gateway Trail (off SE Oralabor Rd.).
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Essentials
Up to 30 miles. From the Woodward Trailhead, it's 3.7 miles to the High Trestle Bridge
Fairly flat. It's 586 feet (178m) from north to south
Woodward
Parking at Woodward. Also parking at the High Trestle Bridge & other access points
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A scenic run along the Des Moines River, with numerous distance and add-on options. The longer path is on the east side, headed north, passing Birdland Park, River Drive Park, & more.
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Several adjacent residential neighborhoods in West Des Moines are terrific for running: Sherman Hill, North of Grand, Ingersoll Park, Waterbury, Westwood, and Salisbury Oaks.
A pleasant 4-mile loop around Easter Lake in southeastern Des Moines, nearly entirely on paved off-road paths and multi-use trails. Combination of woods, park, and some lake views.
Paved multi-use path that runs southward from Des Moines for 17 miles through Willow Creek Golf Course, Orilla, and Cumming. Combination woods & farmland, a bit monotonous, but a good opp to rack up the miles.
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Essentials
Up to 30 miles. From the Woodward Trailhead, it's 3.7 miles to the High Trestle Bridge
Fairly flat. It's 586 feet (178m) from north to south
Woodward
Parking at Woodward. Also parking at the High Trestle Bridge & other access points
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!