Amana Colonies introduce gravel bike routes

The two new gravel routes allow riders to immerse themselves in the histories of Middle, High and West Amana.

The fairly easy 7-mile Route A begins in Middle Amana at the entrance to the Amana Colonies Golf Course and takes you on a scenic gravel route through native hardwood timberland to High Amana, which features the historic High Amana General Store and the Amana Art’s Guild.

The more challenging and 17-mile Route B also starts in Middle Amana at the entrance to the golf course but takes you to West Amana, which has Iowa’s Largest Walnut Rocking Chair, the Basket and Broom Shop, Opa’s Tractor Museum, Michele Maring Miller Studio and Gallery and the inspirational landscape for American painter Grant Wood’s famous Young Corn.