An idyllic heritage farm nestled in the valley of Dry Run Creek holds more than a mile of abandoned railbed.
For those with vision, this land this is Decorah’s next natural attraction and a new trail connection to Calmar.
Trail vision
Imagine a bike trail that would connect the Trout Run Trail in Decorah to the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail, which runs from Calmar to Cresco. These 8 miles of trail would provide Northeast Iowa with over 43 miles of connected trails.
Although still in the planning stages, the route of Dry Run Trail offers a unique rural adventure — through rolling pastures with savanna oaks, past hidden limestone outcrops, along a riparian stream. From Decorah to Neste Valley, the hills protect the valley and even shut out the sounds of cars in the near distance.
Neste Valley Recreational Area will soon be open to the public, and contains a mile of former rail corridor that can become the start of Dry Run Trail. Its location at the midway point of this proposed trail will make it a great trailhead with parking plus many more ways for future trail users to explore nature.