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Winter is Coming: Hit the Trails in Council Bluffs

With November just around the corner, the holidays are beckoning with their rich foods, baked goods, and lots of sugary candy. November also serves as a reminder of the coming cold weather and snow—which while beautiful—can put a pause on exercise plans. And it can be exercise one needs with all that holiday cooking on its way.

This fall, take advantage of Council Bluffs’ many trails for walking, jogging, and biking. Council Bluffs is home to a 41-mile stretch of continuous trails so you can really get crazy with those Fit Bit steps here!

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

With an entrance located at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge—lovingly coined Bob the Bridge—is one of the most urban trails in Council Bluffs. Bob is 3,000 feet long and crosses the Missouri River, connecting us to our neighbors in Omaha. Popular bridge pastimes include walking, jogging, biking, and, of course, bobbing!


Iowa Riverfront Trail
If you’re not looking carefully, you may think this trail starts and ends at Big Lake Park, but the almost 7-mile trail runs through four parks, a golf club, and connects to the Western Historic Trails Center. The trail can be used for biking, inline skating, walking, and jogging.


Iowa School for the Deaf Nature Center Trail
This low traffic trail is perfect for leisurely strolls or short runs. The one-mile trail is laid out in a loop on the Iowa School for the Deaf’s beautiful campus.


Lake Manawa Recreation Trail

If you’re looking for variety, Lake Manawa offers it, with multiple trails throughout the state park. Hikes and leisurely walks can be taken along the shoreline, and a paved nature trail is also available to outdoor enthusiasts. Mountain bikers will rejoice at the 8 miles of bike trails that range from easy to difficult in skill level. A less intense bike trail connects Lake Manawa to other trails in the Council Bluffs trail system like Wabash Trace Nature Trail. 


Valley View Trail
Another trail that connects with the Lake Manawa Recreation Trail, Valley View Trail spans up past Iowa Western Community College to US 6. The trail is a great spot for bikers, joggers, and even inline skaters. Around the halfway point on the trail, trail users can veer slightly off course for trips to the Mall of the Bluffs shopping center or to Valley View Park.


Wabash Trace Nature Trail

This gorgeous trail spans 63 miles through Southwest Iowa. Bike, walk, or jog through treelined scenes and picturesque fields. The trail is well known for its weekly Taco Ride in which locals ride their bikes from Council Bluffs to Mineola, Iowa (about 10 miles south) for a taco dinner.


Western Historic Trails Center
Along with serving as a museum, documenting the Lewis & Clark, Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails, the Western Historic Trails Center is home to some great walking and hiking spots. Spend a day wandering the 400 acres of prairie the center’s trails wind through—it’s a sight to see!

509 23rd Ave.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
844-271-6909 | 712-256-2577
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