Des Moines is a region in Iowa characterized by an extensive network of recreational trails and diverse natural landscapes. The area features numerous waterways, parks, and wooded spaces, including the Des Moines River, Gray's Lake, and Water Works Park. Its varied terrain, from riverfront paths to forested trails and open parklands, provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
The Des Moines region offers a wide range…
107
Routes
4.7
(61)
Average rating
1853
People visited

5
hikers
4.46km
01:11
50m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
2.27km
00:36
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
5.22km
01:22
30m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

6.82km
01:43
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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79
riders
159km
07:35
580m
580m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

58
riders
66.9km
02:41
250m
250m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

28
riders
97.8km
04:16
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

10
riders
53.2km
02:56
290m
290m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
11
riders
8.65km
00:31
20m
20m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
66.3km
03:48
250m
250m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
57.4km
03:30
280m
280m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
78.5km
04:56
350m
350m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
riders
11.2km
00:53
10m
10m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
94.0km
04:52
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.46km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
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31
riders
21.8km
01:35
100m
100m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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70
runners
5.84km
00:36
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

45
runners
21.7km
02:14
50m
50m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

38
runners
37.5km
03:55
210m
210m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

30
runners
16.5km
01:43
80m
80m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Des Moines offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Mountain biking, and Jogging. The region features over 800 miles of connected recreational trails. There are more than 200 routes available on komoot for various skill levels.
Hiking trails are available in various locations, including Water Works Park, Brown's Woods, and Ledges State Park. These areas offer diverse environments from open wooded spaces to unique rock formations. For more details, refer to the Hiking around Des Moines guide.
Des Moines is known for its extensive cycling network, including the High Trestle Trail, Great Western & Bill Riley Bike Trail, and Clive Greenbelt Trail. These trails offer options for touring and road cycling. Explore more routes in the Cycling around Des Moines guide.
Yes, mountain biking enthusiasts can find dedicated trails in areas such as Greenwood/Ashworth Park. The region continues to invest in its trail infrastructure to support various cycling disciplines. Specific routes are detailed in the MTB Trails around Des Moines guide.
Des Moines provides easy hiking options suitable for all ages and skill levels. The Clive Greenbelt Trail offers smooth asphalt paths, and Gray's Lake features accessible walking paths. For more options, consult the Easy hikes around Des Moines guide.
The region features Gray's Lake, offering watercraft rentals and paths, and the Des Moines River Water Trail for water-based recreation. Water Works Park includes the Arie Den Boer Arboretum, known for its crab apple tree collection. Jester Park is home to bison and elk herds.
The Des Moines trail system boasts over 800 miles of connected recreational trails, linking natural areas with urban amenities. The Principal Riverwalk in downtown Des Moines connects directly to this extensive system. Many trails also feature 'fun stops' like breweries and public art installations.
Des Moines is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts on komoot, with more than 2,800 visitors having explored the region. There are 209 routes available, which have an average rating of 4.74 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Des Moines, including Hiking around Des Moines, Easy hikes around Des Moines, and Cycling around Des Moines. Other guides cover Road Cycling, MTB Trails, and Running Trails. These resources provide detailed information for planning outdoor adventures.
The official tourism website for the Des Moines area is Catch Des Moines. It provides comprehensive information on local attractions and activities. The website can be found at https://www.catchdesmoines.com/.
For tourism information regarding Des Moines, the official phone number is (515) 286-4960. A toll-free option is also available at (800) 451-2625. These numbers connect to the Catch Des Moines tourism office.
Yes, the Des Moines River Water Trail provides opportunities for water-based activities. Gray's Lake also features watercraft rentals, allowing for recreation on the water. Future investments, such as the Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON), aim to enhance river and stream access.

