Pin to Trip

Valley View Trail

Overview

Explore one of Council Bluffs' most versatile outdoor corridors along the 10.5-mile Valley View Trail, a paved, multi-use trail connecting parks, neighborhoods, local businesses, and some of the community's most popular outdoor destinations. Ideal for walking, running, biking, wheelchair users, and leashed dogs, the easy trail offers a relaxing way to discover Council Bluffs while seamlessly linking to the city's broader trail system.

Many visitors begin at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park, where a Heartland Bike Share station provides convenient bike rentals and direct access to the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Lake Manawa Recreational Trails, and the Iowa School for the Deaf Nature Center Trail. From there, the Valley View Trail becomes a gateway to exploring both outdoor recreation and local favorites without ever leaving the path.

Heading north, the trail passes boutique shopping at The Olive Branch, an Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Award winner, and sweet treats at Sugar Makery BitterSweet Dessert Bar before reaching the Shoppes at Madison Avenue, where local favorites like 712 eat + drink and nearby Blend CB provide great places to refuel. Farther north, Valley View Village offers additional stops, including Louie's Coffee House and Cellar 19 Wine & Deli. Many businesses along the corridor welcome cyclists with convenient bike parking, spacious patios, or both, making it easy to pause, relax, and enjoy the journey.

A charming pedestrian bridge carries visitors across Mosquito Creek into Valley View Park, where open green space, scenic trails, and Valley View Dog Park provide a perfect place to stretch your legs—or let your four-legged trail companion run off leash. North of the park, the trail enters a quieter stretch featuring mature trees, native landscaping reflecting Council Bluffs' commitment as a Bee City USA community, and benches offering a peaceful place to recharge before continuing toward Iowa Western Community College. Designated a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, the campus is one of the area's most spectacular places to experience fall foliage and is also home to Treasure Cove Disc Golf Course. Beyond Highway 6, riders can continue their adventure on the Railroad Highway Multi-Use Trail toward Underwood.

Combining outdoor recreation with local dining, shopping, parks, and regional trail connections, the Valley View Trail offers a uniquely connected way to experience Council Bluffs—one that encourages visitors to slow down, explore, and discover something new along the way.