High Trestle Trail - Iowa
Most people avoid awkward social events by hiding in the bathroom. I avoided mine by accidentally becoming a cyclist...and yes, I now own nail polish that matches my bike because this is my life now. What started as a simple plan to stick close to a few coworkers during a team-building day somehow turned into a 24-mile bike ride I had no business signing up for. I was out of practice, totally unsure of myself, and very aware of how dramatic my legs felt about the whole thing. But somewhere in the middle of all that, I realized I was actually enjoying it.
It had been years since I’d been on a bike, but something about that ride felt grounding in a way I didn’t expect. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate quiet more than ever, and there was something so calming about pedaling along, a little removed from the group, letting the world go by at a slower pace. I was sore for days afterward, but I also couldn’t stop thinking about how good it felt. Not long after, I bought my own bike and suddenly this thing I did to avoid small talk turned into a hobby I genuinely love. And best of all, it pairs perfectly with photography.
What surprised me most was how biking makes it easier to notice little moments I’d otherwise miss: patches of fog rolling over a field, soft sunrise light hitting the trees, a long empty stretch of trail that feels almost meditative. That’s what led me to one of my favorite places to ride: the High Trestle Trail in Iowa.
The High Trestle Trail is incredible… unless heights aren’t your thing. The bridge is about half a mile long and sits 13 stories above the Des Moines River Valley. Its backstory comes from the whole “Rails to Trails” movement, which is really cool to learn about if you’ve never looked into it. For walkers, there’s parking right off Qf Lane in Madrid. The main lot has bathrooms and plenty of space. If you’re biking the full thing, the trail runs about 25 miles and has lots of stops along the way. If you do go, get food in Woodward at the Whistling Donkey, it's delicious. There’s also a small museum nearby with old railroad photos, plus a restroom and an air pump for cyclists.
My two favorite times on the trail are sunrise and evening. A few times I’ve met friends before dawn, biked out in the dark, and waited on the bridge for the sun to come up. It’s so quiet that early with barely any traffic, barely anyone else around and it honestly feels a little magical. One of my favorite photos was taken on one of those foggy mornings when a lone cyclist happened to ride through. I had to fumble with my camera to capture it (photo above).
Evenings is its own experience. The bridge lights up and creates this beautiful glowing tunnel that feels almost futuristic. If you go at night, wear neon. Just trust me, this is a pro tip. The lighting schedule changes between summer and winter, but the trail itself stays open all year.
If you get the chance to visit, I hope you do. It’s such a special place, whether you’re riding, walking, taking photos, or just looking for an experience.
Additional Resources:
https://www.inhf.org/what-we-do/protection/high-trestle-trail
https://www.railstotrails.org/
