Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Calcite Trail
2.7 mi · ▲ 312 ft · 1 hr 3 min
Calcite Trail is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near South Switch Junction, IA. It climbs 312 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 25/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Calcite Trail
2.7 mi · ▲ 312 ft · 1 hr 3 min
Elevation 595–767 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 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Calcite Trail, heading N.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Mines of Spain Road, heading SW.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 100 ftBear left onto Julien Dubuque Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Monument Drive, heading E.
- 0.2 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 0.2 mi in (~10 min). Leave by 6:36 PM for the 7:05 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 7 min before dark.
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 · ▲ 308 ft
- Observation Deck & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail 3.1 mi · ▲ 342 ft
- Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail 3.7 mi · ▲ 545 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 457 ft
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Hikes near South Switch Junction, Iowa