Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Calcite Trail
2.3 mi · ▲ 154 ft · 51 min
Calcite Trail is a 2.3-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near South Switch Junction, IA. It is mostly level, with 154 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 29/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Calcite Trail
2.3 mi · ▲ 154 ft · 51 min
Elevation 595–740 ft
Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Trailhead: Julien Dubuque Trail · 42.46845, -90.64864
Weather Sep 20: Heavy drizzle, high 67°F / low 59° · precip 73% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:05 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Julien Dubuque Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn left 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 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Calcite Trail, heading NW.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Mines of Spain Road, heading SW.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 100 ftBear left onto Julien Dubuque Trail, heading W.
- 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:45 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:05 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:33 PM.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Julien Dubuque Trail Trailhead
- John & Alice Butler Trail & Mesquakie Trail via Calcite Trail 2.8 mi · ▲ 262 ft
- Mesquakie Trail & Pine Chapel Trail via Calcite Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 243 ft
- America's State Tree Woodland Walk–John & Alice Butler Trail, 3 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 328 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
Get outside more
A wild hike near South Switch Junction, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near South Switch Junction, Iowa