Having moved to Cedar Rapids last year, we picked up a couple of e-Bikes with the intent of getting out more.As luck would have it, we are within 1 1/2 miles from the Grant Wood Bike Trail that leads to Marion and beyond.The trail is populated with walkers, runners, and fellow bicyclists. Everyone says Hello or Good Morning.As we rode into Marion we happened upon the West End Diner just along the trail. Great diner in a historic brick home. Lots of outdoor dining, with bicycle rack. As we continued on the trail it led us out of town and heading towards the airport. Fields of corn as far as the eyes could see on both sides. It’s quiet and clean. Highly recommend.

This trail for bikers, hikers and joggers is a project of Linn County Conservation. For those hikers wanting more of a challenging and diversified hike (e.g. variations in terrain, more biodiversity, periodic shade from a forest, perhaps exposure to an area of outstanding natural beauty), this trail might disappoint. But its a good way to easily access a view of Iowa's landscape. The wide trail consisting of crushed limestone is perfectly flat and with almost no shade at all. On either side of the trail is a grassy verge, and beyond that a row of trees and other vegetation (we're not talking forests here!). Beyond the trees are what every Iowan is used to --- gently rolling hills, pastures, and mainly corn, corn, corn, corn --- and corn!. In some places there are large tree-covered earth berms which obscures the view of the corn fields, but one is never left in doubt as to ones location --- Iowa Corn Country. There are a few large granite boulders, glacial erratics, carried all the way to Marion from the middle of Minnesota, and left here by the retreating Wisconsin glacier. A humongous one is located near the beginning of the trail at a small park with a pond with nesting Canada geese, benches, and a picnic pavillion. There are some interesting places along the trail to break the corn monotony, including a bog where the complete skeleton of an American bison was recovered, the remains dating to 3000 BC

The city of Marion recently completed another segment of this trail going into town, with more to come. The trail itself is still developing but is a nice change of scenery if you are looking for something besides the more established trails. The most scenic segment starts at the corner of Secrist Rd and Creekside Rd. Bear in mind that there is a break in the trail from to Oxley to Creekside Rd.

This trail is very close to my home, but with all the other more scenic trails, I don't use it very often. It is pretty straight and very level, and runs between fields. It is a crushed gravel trail.

Love riding this trail on my fat tire bike. My only complaint is that it isn't long enough. Beautiful views that are great for walkers too.