Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Calcite Trail
3.4 mi · ▲ 86 ft · 1 hr 11 min
Calcite Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near South Switch Junction, IA. It is mostly level, with 86 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 28/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi594 – 643 ft3.6 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Unnamed 42.46783, -90.66084
Nearest town South Switch Junction, IA
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Calcite Trail
3.4 mi · ▲ 86 ft · 1 hr 11 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 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 left onto Catfish Trail, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading W.
- 300 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
97% dirt3% paved
Weather
Sunrise 6:49 AMSunset 7:05 PM
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Calcite Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 86 ft
- Mesquakie Trail & Pine Chapel Trail via Calcite Trail 4.3 mi · ▲ 230 ft
- Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 147 ft
- Observation Deck–Catfish Trail, 3 sights 4.3 mi · ▲ 420 ft
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Hikes near South Switch Junction, Iowa