Trail description:
The Wapsi-Great Western Line travels along the Wapsipinicon River Corridor and along the abandoned railbed of the Chicago Great Western Railroad. The 18-mile trail starts in Riceville and extends north, traversing hilltops and wide rolling landscapes, native prairie and timbered areas. Visitors can see a butterfly garden built into a hillside along the trail and stop at nearby Lake Hendricks for a stroll on the two-mile grass walking path. The northern part of the trail goes through a 320-acre upland timber called Pinicon Alders, which provides trail users with a remote, quiet experience.
Visitors can stop at the Wapsi-Great Western Line Welcome Center at the trailhead in Riceville. The Welcome Center is a restored 1858 pioneer church which hosts a permanent fossil collection, rotating local art shows, community sings and public gatherings. Open on Saturdays and Sundays May through September. Otherwise, open by appointment or for scheduled programs.
Historical highlights found on the trail include the Little Cedar River Bridge three miles north of Riceville. Built in 1887, the “Pratt through truss” bridge is one of the few remaining pioneer wrought iron bridges. Located near the trailhead is the James Fellows Home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On May 31, 2008, the official dedication of the Wapsi-Great Western Line will take place.
Each June the trail managers sponsor a “golf cart” tour of the trail for seniors and people with limited mobility.
An extension is planned to Minnesota’s Shooting Star Trail in the near future.
The Wapsi-Great Western Line -- The Interstate Trail Connector
Gateway to Iowa -- Gateway to Minnesota
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