Explore the best rated trails in Mason City, IA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Todd Park Bike Trail and Wildwood Trail (Austin) . With more than 22 trails covering 185 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I rode this new trail for the first time today. I have lived here many years and I saw parts of town I haven't seen before. There was some on street riding with not a lot of signage so use the TL map and you won't go wrong. Very enjoyable!
We started out in Humboldt on Hwy 3 and rode east to Thor. This is a well maintained crushed stone trail. There were no wash outs or wash boarding.
Many areas have tree canopy over the trail. A very easy and pleasant ride.
The part from Riceville (lake Hendricks park) is very nice, smooth & scenic. Not hard to find your way thru McIntyre, just follow the signs. The last section puts you on a gravel road for about a mile, then more new pavement but you're really subject to the wind (probably why all the wind turbines are nearby). Someday they plan to punch thru to a MN trail.
Going south from Riceville is pretty much boring, flat, open riding with many right angle turns (follows section/property lines?) Once you're back on the trail half ways to Elma it's pretty nice again. Elma has a cute RR depot as trailhead.
Nice ride but start at Riceville and go north to MN border and if you can start in Elma & go north until you get to all the straight-aways (and very windy). The scenery is pleasant either way you go.
13.6 miles from waverly to readlyn. It’s very shady on the western part of the trail and not so much the closer you get to readlyn. Good hard surfaced trail that has great towns and parks and amenities on both ends.
The trail is complete from clarskville to Bristow. A nice hard surfaced trail ( blacktop and concrete). 22.5 miles from Bristow to shell rock ( there is a portion of it just west of Clarksville that is on the highway for about a mile but there is a bike lane). The trail segment around the Hampton area is crushed limestone and is not very nice.
The trail starts south of mason city and goes to Thornton (15 miles each way) . It’s crushed limestone with very little shade and no benches to stop and rest. It’s basically a continuous trail through farm fields. It’s the only long distance trail in the mason city area so it’s better than nothing.
Basically this is just a sidewalk next to a busy highway that connects mason city to clear lake. There isn’t much shade or much for scenery.
If biking mountain bikes required! Extremely rugged trails! Steep, rocky, and wet. Risk takers only! Take your life into your own hands! Hiking might be a safer option!
The trail is beautiful but something to note this is for a moderate rider. A lot of the trail has rugged terrain with an abundance of rocks. Luckily our youngest was not with for this ride or we would of had to turn around. I highly suggest parking at the restaurant Old County Seat to begin your ride. That way when you circle back you can stop for some food or just grab a drink. PS - I highly recommend their Bloody Mary’s or the 1919 Root Beer!!
This trail has it all. From hiking to horseback riding. Fun trail with some great views alone the river. Has some pretty big rocks to walk through on part so had to be careful with that. Overall great trail!
This trail is great for small hikes/walks when you’re in a time crunch or just wanting to get out of the house for a couple hours! Follows the cedar river for a while and not far from town either.
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