Welcome to the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail

Fat Tire to McIntire Registration IronHorse Race Registration Wapsi Wiggle Registration DeRailed Adventure Registration Border Bike Registration

The Wapsi-Great Western Line (WGWL) Trailhead is located at 110 East Main Street in Riceville, Iowa, which is nestled in northern Iowa off U.S. Highway 9.

Northern Branch: From Riceville and the Trailhead, the WGWL’s Northern Branch proceeds northwesterly 14+ miles in Mitchell County to the Minnesota border.

Southern Branch: The WGWL Southern Branch proceeds southeasterly 12+ miles in Howard County passed the ghost town of Acme to the city limits of Elma where it meets a .44 mile of the Old Roundhouse Trail segment.

The majority of the 27+ mile trail runs on abandoned railroad beds and winds through rural countryside. Less than one mile is on shared roadway.

You will traverse through five biospheres: prairie, wetland, farmland, marsh and woodlands. You will cross three waterways: Wapsipinicon River, Watson’s Creek and Lake Hendricks. You may encounter white tail deer, muskrat, otter, turkey, pheasant and numerous native species.

The WGWL Trail has been designated as the interstate connecting trail between Iowa and Minnesota. We look forward to the near future when WGWL will connect to Minnesota’s Shooting Star Trail.

Stream along WGWL

EVENTS CALENDAR (click on any of the events below for more details.  For a complete listing, visit the Events Page)

Ongoing Events 2022

Trailhead Welcome Center Open – Saturday & Sunday from 2-5 p.m. Memorial Day – Labor Day

Pie Sunday at Trailhead Welcome Center – 1st Sunday of June, July, August and Sept from 2-6 p.m PLUS a bonus Fall Pie Sunday, October 2nd

Farmer’s Market – Saturdays May 28th – September 3rd from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Located at 203 West Main Street, Riceville, IA (One block west from the Trailhead at 203 West Main Street along Hwy #9) Farmers Market – Riceville is an enhancement of the WGWL Trail.  

Summer Art Show  Featuring Artist TBA – Sunday, June 5th – Sunday, September 4th

 WGWL Trailhead Clocktower

 

Trail Safety – Known the Rules

 

5K7MilerFamilyofRunners5KHavest Moon Walk

Follow