
The Wapsi-Great Western Line (WGWL) Trail is a 23.5 mile paved rural escape with a Northern Branch of 18.5 miles and a Southern Branch of 5 completed miles. The Trailhead is located in Riceville, nestled in northern Iowa off U.S. Highway 9. The majority of the trail runs on abandoned railroad beds and winds through rural countryside. Less than one mile is on shared roadway.
You will traverse through five biospheres: prairie, wetland, farmland, marsh and woodlands. You will cross three waterways: Wapsipinicon River, Watson’s Creek and Lake Hendricks. You may encounter white tail deer, muskrat, otter, turkey, pheasant and numerous native species.
The WGWL Trail has been designated as the interstate connecting trail between Iowa and Minnesota. Only 1 mile is unfinished in Iowa before connecting to Minnesota’s Shooting Star Trail in southern Minnesota.