Des Moines: Cedar River Greenbelt Trail
Hear the deep calls of trumpeter swans on this 7.8-mile hike along a wild river corridor to limestone cliffs, prairies, and wooded hills where coyotes, deer, and turkey roam.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 6.3
Waypoints
CRG001
Location: 43.3170547485352, -92.8796157836914
Head SE from bridge, tracing the W side of Cedar River
CRG003
Location: 43.3100395202637, -92.8738708496094
Watch for bald eagles soaring the blue skies above; climb thin cliff band
CRG006
Location: 43.2908325195312, -92.8690490722656
Continue straight
CRG007
Location: 43.2889518737793, -92.8584747314453
Turn R, heading SE away from river bank
CRG008
Location: 43.2878074645996, -92.8572845458984
Stay straight; enter a shady wooded patch where deer nap in midday
CRG009
Location: 43.2865829467773, -92.8570938110352
Keep straight; trail leaves woods
CRG010
Location: 43.2848014831543, -92.8558654785156
South trailhead; retrace steps back to trailhead to return to car
CRG004
Location: 43.3044853210449, -92.8746948242188
Summit Table: Scenic picnic spot on top
CRG002
Location: 43.3134803771973, -92.873405456543
Trail veers closer to river
CRG005
Location: 43.2993278503418, -92.8740234375
Trail bends around an adze-shaped cliff; look for gobblers near wood’s edge