The best running trails around Ames

Ames offers a wide selection of running routes, with over 240 options available on komoot. These routes cater to various fitness levels, from easy strolls to more challenging runs.

Jogging in Ames provides a diverse range of terrains. You'll find everything from flat, paved paths ideal for beginners to more natural, winding trails through woodlands. The area features lakeside loops, wooded paths, and prairie trails, often alongside rivers and creeks, offering varied surfaces for your run.

Yes, Ames has numerous easy running routes perfect for beginners. For instance, McFarland Park offers approximately 4 miles of largely flat trails, including paved and grass paths. Ann Munn Woods also provides an easy and scenic 2.1-mile trail through woodlands. Overall, komoot lists 26 easy routes in the area.

Absolutely! Ada Hayden Heritage Park is a premier spot, featuring a large man-made lake and miles of trails perfect for a serene run around the water. Moore Memorial Park also offers a tranquil setting with a pond and paths winding through wooded areas, known for attracting various birds. Additionally, Brookside Park has the Squaw Creek running through it, enhancing its natural beauty.

The running routes in Ames are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.2 stars from more than 20 reviews. Runners often praise the diverse environments, from lakeside loops and wooded paths to prairie trails, and the options available for different ability levels.

Yes, for those seeking a more challenging experience, Ames offers several difficult routes. One notable option is the Waterfall of Nave river in Bourecq loop from Ames, a 12.2-mile (19.6 km) trail with significant elevation changes and varied terrain, often completed in over two hours. There are 30 difficult routes available in total.

Many of the running options in Ames are designed as circular or loop trails, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. For example, the Running loop from Ferfay and the Running loop from Ames are popular moderate-difficulty loops that offer a balanced running experience through the local landscape and green spaces.

While jogging in the Ames area, you can encounter several points of interest. For example, the Amettes – Birthplace of Saint Benoit loop from Ames passes by the Birthplace of Saint Benoît Labre. Other nearby attractions include the Bours Keep and the Saint-Pierre Church.

Yes, several parks in Ames offer a mix of paved and natural trails. The Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor, for instance, features both paved and natural walking trails through restored stream, wetland, and prairie habitats. McFarland Park also provides a mix of double track, single track, grass paths, and a paved path around a pond.

For longer runs, the High Trestle Trail, though a short drive from Ames, is an iconic multi-use paved path stretching over 25 miles, making it an excellent destination for extended runs. Within the immediate Ames area, routes like the Bois de Saint-Pierre loop from Ames offer a substantial 8.2-mile (13.2 km) moderate run.

Many of Ames's parks and trails offer excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. Ada Hayden Heritage Park is known for its birds and other wildlife around the lake. Moore Memorial Park is also recognized for attracting a variety of local and migratory birds, making it a scenic choice for nature lovers.

While a short drive from Ames, Ledges State Park provides a dramatically different and more challenging experience with its towering sandstone ledges over the Des Moines River. Trails like Crow's Nest Trail offer breathtaking views of these unique sandstone cliffs, making for a memorable trail run.