AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

America's State Tree Woodland Walk–Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, 4 sights

5.2 mi · ▲ 777 ft · 2 hr 7 min

America's State Tree Woodland Walk–Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, 4 sights is a 5.2-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Cattese, IA. It climbs 777 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 23/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi597 – 810 ft · steepest grade: 21%5.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.46327, -90.63593
Nearest town Cattese, IA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

America's State Tree Woodland Walk–Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, 4 sights

5.2 mi · ▲ 777 ft · 2 hr 7 min

Elevation 598–810 ft

Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 42.46327, -90.63593

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:50 AM · sunset 7:03 PM

Toilets at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 250 ftTurn right onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading NW.
  3. 0.3 miTurn right, heading S.
  4. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  5. 50 ftSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading SW.
  6. 0.3 miSharp left onto Calcite Trail, heading SW.
  7. 0.7 miTurn left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading NW.
  8. 0.9 miBear right onto Lead Mine Trail, heading W.
  9. 0.2 miTurn right onto 2, heading SW.
  10. 250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  11. 250 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading W.
  12. 250 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading NW.
  13. 50 ftBear right onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading NW.
  14. 250 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading NW.
  15. 50 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading N.
  16. 100 ftReach Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  17. 50 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading N.
  18. 50 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading N.
  19. 250 ftBear left onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading NW.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading N.
  21. 450 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  22. 150 ftContinue straight onto 2, heading NE.
  23. 100 ftTurn left onto Lead Mine Trail, heading NE.
  24. 0.2 miBear left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading S.
  25. 0.9 miTurn right onto Calcite Trail, heading E.
  26. 0.7 miSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading NE.
  27. 0.3 miSharp left, heading SE.
  28. 100 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  29. 50 ftTurn left onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading SE.
  30. 0.3 miTurn left, heading E.
  31. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/americas-state-tree-woodland-walk-horseshoe-bluff-nature-trail-out-back-4-sights

Trail surface

75% dirt3% grass1% boardwalk1% paved20% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:50 AMSunset 7:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~28 min). Leave by 6:15 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Cattese, Iowa