AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Orlabor Gateway Trail

6.8 mi · ▲ 79 ft · 2 hr 18 min

Orlabor Gateway Trail is a 6.8-mile out-and-back near Ankeny, IA. It is mostly level, with 79 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi915 – 994 ft7.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Northwest Lakeshore Drive 41.73425, -93.60737
Nearest town Ankeny, IA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Orlabor Gateway Trail

6.8 mi · ▲ 79 ft · 2 hr 18 min

Elevation 914–996 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Northwest Lakeshore Drive · 41.73425, -93.60737

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:13 PM

Transit-accessible: Hawkeye Park & Ride stop 301 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  3. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  4. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  5. 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  7. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  8. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  9. 350 ftBear right, heading S.
  10. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  11. 0.3 miTurn right, heading W.
  12. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  13. 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
  14. 1.1 miBear left, heading S.
  15. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  16. 0.8 miBear left, heading S.
  17. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  18. 350 ftTurn right onto Orlabor Gateway Trail, heading S.
  19. 0.9 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  20. 0.9 miTurn left, heading E.
  21. 350 ftTurn left, heading E.
  22. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  23. 0.8 miBear left, heading N.
  24. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  25. 1.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  26. 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
  27. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  28. 0.3 miBear right, heading N.
  29. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  30. 350 ftBear left, heading N.
  31. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  32. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  33. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  34. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  35. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  36. 150 ftBear left, heading N.
  37. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/orlabor-gateway-trail-out-back-11-km-384c

Trail surface

10% paved90% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:03 AMSunset 7:13 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.7 mi in (~40 min). Leave by 6:13 PM for the 7:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Hawkeye Park & Ride stop 301 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Northwest Lakeshore Drive Trailhead

Hikes near Ankeny, Iowa