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.
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& detailed map.
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.