All Hiking Trails in Polk County, Iowa
342 trails across Polk County. Search by trail name or city.
200 trail pins
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Guides & rankings
From the OutsideAtlas Blog
Photo: Sergei AkulichState Rankings
The 10 Longest Hiking Trails in Iowa, Ranked
Iowa's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Tobias MrzykState Rankings
Iowa's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten Iowa trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Sergei AkulichState Rankings
The Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Iowa
Ten gentle, well-marked Iowa trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Tobias MrzykState Rankings
The 10 Most Challenging Hikes in Iowa
Iowa's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoParks & Travel
The Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in Iowa
Federal parks and recreation areas in Iowa ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Tobias MrzykState Rankings
Best Waterfall Hikes in Iowa: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
Iowa's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.