Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail
3.7 mi · ▲ 545 ft · 1 hr 30 min
Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail is a 3.7-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near South Switch Junction, IA. The route reaches Ampitheater. It climbs 545 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 30/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail
3.7 mi · ▲ 545 ft · 1 hr 30 min
Elevation 595–810 ft
Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Trailhead: 42.47047, -90.64912
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:05 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Julien Dubuque Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Mines of Spain Road, heading S.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Calcite Trail, heading E.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading SE.
- 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.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Calcite Trail, heading W.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Mines of Spain Road, heading NW.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 150 ftBear left onto Julien Dubuque Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Monument Drive, heading NW.
- 0.1 miArrive 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
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~29 min). Leave by 6:16 PM for the 7:05 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- America's State Tree Woodland Walk–John & Alice Butler Trail, 3 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 328 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 154 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 312 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 308 ft
- Observation Deck & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail 3.1 mi · ▲ 342 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 457 ft
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