Chichaqua Valley Trail
Baxter to Bondurant – 20 Miles
This scenic recreational trail begins just east of Bondurant and extends for 20
miles to the Jasper County town of Baxter.
The Polk County trailhead and parking area is on Northeast 88th Street, south of
Highway 65 and one mile east of Bondurant.
This trail is paved from beginning to end, making it popular with rollerbladers
as well as cyclists and hikers. Along the trail, one will spot mile markers showing
the distance to Kansas City for this former railroad route. The trail also crosses
stone bridges dating from the Wisconsin, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad that built this
rail line in 1885.
In later years, the line was used by the Chicago, St. Paul, & Kansas City Railroad
(1886-1892), Chicago Great Western Company (1892-1968), and finally the Chicago
& Northwestern Railroad Company (1968-1984). The line was abandoned in 1984,
and reopened as a recreational trail in 1987. It includes a scenic crossing of the
Skunk River.