14 Great Midwest Bike Trails

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Iowa: High Trestle Trail

High Trestle Trail Des Moines — Courtesy of Kathryn Gamble/Catch Des Moines

To evoke the sensation of descending into one of Iowa's historical coal mines, 41 steel frames spiral the ½-mile, 13-story bridge traversing Des Moines River Valley. It's even more dramatic at night when blue LED lights on these "cribs" glow. Stop at one of the six observation decks on the bridge to see its supports-pillars from the original train trestle and read about wildlife. The 25-mile trail runs between Ankeny and Woodward.

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Illinois: Chicago's Lakefront Trail

Lakefront Bike Trail in Chicago — Abel Arciniega/Choose Chicago

Extending 18 miles from Hollywood Avenue on the north end of Chicago to 71st Street on the South Side, the Lakefront Trail leads cyclists through parks, beaches and gardens. Tourists appreciate that the trail links many of Chicago's big-name attractions, including Buckingham Fountain and Soldier Field.

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North Dakota: The Maah Daah Hey Trail

bikers riding maah daah hey trail in North Dakota — Ryan Donnell

Pause near the steep drop-offs to drink in the view of the Little Missouri National Grasslands on this 144-mile path. The Maah Daah Hey Trail's northern point is 15 miles south of Watford City (about 180 miles northwest of Bismarck).

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Missouri: Katy Trail State Park

Katy Trail Missouri — Katy Trail. Starboard & Port Creative

This 240-mile, rails-to-trails bike route runs right through the heart of Missouri-its fields, forests, rivers and towns. Stretching from Clinton to Machens, the trail will eventually encompass 300 miles when it connects Kansas City to St. Louis. The crushed limestone path keeps your pace sedate, which means you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the wildlife (muskrats, turtles, heron); wildflowers; canopies of maple, ash and oak; and the Missouri River.

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Michigan: The Little Traverse Wheelway

Stunning scenery (and no hills) link Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs as you cut through wooded residential areas and hug portions of Lake Michigan shoreline. The best views on the 26-mile trail are south of Petoskey, but you'll also want to make your way north to explore the sand beaches of Petoskey State Park, where teens bake on towels and families play in the waves of Lake Michigan.

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Minnesota: Root River Trail

The Root River Trail near Lanesboro, Minnesota — Root River Trail near Lanesboro. Justin Salem Meyer

Minnesota's Root River trail system spans 60 miles and joins nine communities, with Lanesboro at its core. The trail is mostly flat and paved. Watch for wildlife, scenic barns dotting the countryside and peaceful river overlooks as you pedal.

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South Dakota: The George S. Mickelson Trail

With peaks towering on all sides, the George S. Mickelson Trail snakes through South Dakota tunnels and across 100 trestles, where trains serving Black Hills gold mines once rumbled. The 109-mile route (named after the state's late governor) follows a century-old railbed from Deadwood south to Edgemont, treating bicyclists to the best of both worlds: mountaintop views and mostly easy pedaling.

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Iowa: Trout Run Trail

It's named for the trout hatchery it passes and Trout Run Creek you skirt, but in addition to the sparkling waters, you'll see sculptures and a 7-foot-long mosaic on this 11-mile loop in Decorah. At night, the bridge over State-9 glows with LED lights in colors to suit the seasons.

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Nebraska: The Cowboy Trail

Ghosts of the railroad's past dot the Cowboy Trail: bridges, weathered mileposts, a depot and the Neligh Mills gristmill. From Chadron to Norfolk in northern Nebraska, the 321 miles (only 195 miles are finished) will follow what was called the Cowboy Line past farmland, ranches and canyons. Get a bird's-eye view of the Niobrara River from bridges soaring more than 145 feet.

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Michigan: Kal-Haven Trail

The romance of small towns, orchards and even a covered bridge beckons from the 34-mile Kal-Haven Trail Bike Trail. Stretching from Kalamazoo to South Haven-thus its name-the former rail bed is now a fine gravel surface with some sections blacktopped.

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Indiana: Monon Rail Trail

Just north of Indianapolis, the Monon Rail Trail stretches for 26 miles. Dozens of residential neighborhoods and parks line the route. Pack a picnic lunch or grab a bite at one of the restaurants along the trail.

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Wisconsin: Elroy-Sparta State Trail

You'll find yourself winding through woodlands, wetlands, farms and fields on this route. Silos and farmhouses are blurs at the edge of the small town of Elroy, where the converted rail-trail begins (60 miles northwest of Madison). You can head out on a multiday adventure, choosing from more than 100 miles that vary in length and difficulty. Three old tunnels add chilly mystery to the easygoing ride.

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Indiana: Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

Named for its many curves and turns, the 26-mile trail takes in tidy farms, rustic wooden bridges and the bubbling creeks of Amish Country in Elkhart, Middlebury, Goshen and Shipshewana.

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Ohio: Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail

Starting west of the bridge in Milford and running right through the little town of Loveland (about 25 minutes northeast of Cincinnati), the former railbed has become a tranquil way to tour southwest Ohio. Soak in quaint towns, river views and pretty woodlands as this scenic path plays hide-and-seek with the Little Miami River.