Black Hawk

The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is a 52 mile long trail leading from Evansdale to Hiawatha.  The Evansdale location is found off of I-380, exit 70.  The nature trail runs through Black Hawk, Buchanan, Benton and Linn counties.  Along the 52 mile stretch you will find everything from restaurants to several bed and breakfasts.  The scenic trail offers views of river bottomlands to open grassland.  Along the way you can expect to encounter deer, wild turkey, songbirds and many other types of wildlife found throughout the state. 

The trail winds through lowland forest, upland forest, and prairie.  The stretches of prairie will often provide trail users sights of native prairie flowers in bloom.  Along with the flowers of the prairie, those who use the trail may see native grasses and forbes.  Quite often the trail will also provide views of the Cedar River and other wetland formations. The trail utilizes an old railroad bed and consequently those who bike, hike, skate or ski the trail will encounter a relatively flat slope with very little incline.    

In addition to hiking and biking the trail you can utilize the trail for cross country skiing in the winter.  The northern section of the trial has been designated an area important to songbirds as well as other non-game species.  Portions of the trial are asphalt while other parts are crushed limestone. 

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Related Items

Cedar Valley Nature Trail Map