Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail
3.9 mi · ▲ 147 ft · 1 hr 22 min
Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail is a 3.9-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near South Switch Junction, IA. The route reaches Ampitheater at the turnaround, 1.9 miles in. It is mostly level, with 147 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 29/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail
3.9 mi · ▲ 147 ft · 1 hr 22 min
Elevation 595–644 ft
Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Trailhead: 42.46783, -90.66084
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:05 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 500 ftTurn left onto Catfish Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Mines of Spain Road, heading E.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Calcite Trail, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading SE.
- 500 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 150 ftReach Ampitheater, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Calcite Trail, heading W.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Mines of Spain Road, heading NW.
- 250 ftTurn left onto Catfish Trail, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading W.
- 150 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Calcite Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 86 ft
- Calcite Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 86 ft
- Mesquakie Trail & Pine Chapel Trail via Calcite Trail 4.3 mi · ▲ 230 ft
- Observation Deck–Catfish Trail, 3 sights 4.3 mi · ▲ 420 ft
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Hikes near South Switch Junction, Iowa