Windsor Heights is a community in Iowa that serves as a central access point to the extensive Greater Des Moines trail network. The region's landscape is characterized by urban green spaces and interconnected paved trails, providing opportunities for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more. Its direct connection to a broader recreational system makes Windsor Heights a practical base for outdoor activities.
Windsor Heights offers a range of outdoor…
69
Routes
4.7
(52)
Average rating
1098
People visited

5
hikers
4.46km
01:11
50m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
2.65km
00:43
30m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
5.67km
01:26
20m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

6.82km
01:43
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
riders
11.2km
00:53
10m
10m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.46km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
31
riders
21.8km
01:35
100m
100m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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81
riders
35.8km
01:45
130m
130m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

69
riders
45.9km
03:29
150m
150m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(5)
62
riders
27.0km
02:25
110m
110m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

48
riders
89.1km
04:02
380m
380m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.8
(13)
48
riders
40.5km
02:26
120m
120m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
28
riders
43.1km
02:32
150m
150m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
16
riders
27.4km
01:36
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.8
(6)
23
riders
19.8km
01:10
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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24
runners
19.5km
02:01
110m
110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
runners
10.1km
01:06
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
18
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
runners
20.1km
02:05
50m
50m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Windsor Heights offers opportunities for hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and jogging. The area provides direct access to the extensive Greater Des Moines trail network, which includes hundreds of miles of paved paths. Colby Park serves as a central hub for accessing these recreational routes.
Yes, Windsor Heights is connected to the Walnut Creek Trail via Colby Park, which is part of the larger Greater Des Moines trail system. These paved trails are suitable for hiking and offer scenic routes through wooded areas. For more information, refer to the Hiking around Windsor Heights guide.
Windsor Heights provides access to numerous paved trails ideal for road and touring cycling, including the Walnut Creek Trail. This trail connects to the broader Greater Des Moines metropolitan trail system, offering hundreds of miles of routes. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes around Windsor Heights and Cycling around Windsor Heights guides.
While Windsor Heights itself does not feature dedicated mountain biking singletrack, the broader Iowa region offers various mountain biking opportunities. Riders can find trails catering to different skill levels within the Des Moines metro area and beyond. Consult the MTB Trails around Windsor Heights guide for regional options.
The paved trails accessible from Windsor Heights, such as the Walnut Creek Trail, are mostly flat and smooth, making them suitable for easy and beginner-friendly activities. These trails are ideal for leisurely rides, walks, and jogs. For specific recommendations, see the Easy hikes around Windsor Heights guide.
Colby Park is a central community hub in Windsor Heights and a crucial access point to the Greater Des Moines trail network. It features an accessible playground, a splash pad, and a food truck plaza. The park enhances the area's appeal as a starting or ending point for outdoor adventures.
The Walnut Creek Trail, directly accessible from Windsor Heights, is approximately 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) long. This trail connects to the larger metropolitan trail system, which provides hundreds of miles (hundreds of kilometers) of interconnected paved paths for various activities.
Outdoor activities in Windsor Heights have an average rating of 4.77 out of 5 stars on komoot, based on more than 100 ratings. Over 3,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the region. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Windsor Heights, including Hiking around Windsor Heights, Easy hikes around Windsor Heights, Road Cycling Routes around Windsor Heights, MTB Trails around Windsor Heights, Cycling around Windsor Heights, and Running Trails around Windsor Heights.
Official information about Windsor Heights, Iowa, can be found on the city's website. The official website is windsorheights.org. For direct inquiries, City Hall can be reached at 515-279-3662.
Yes, the paved trails accessible from Windsor Heights, such as the Walnut Creek Trail, are generally suitable for families. Their mostly flat and smooth surfaces accommodate various activities, including walking and cycling with children. Colby Park also offers family-friendly amenities like a playground and splash pad.
Trails near Windsor Heights offer scenic routes through wooded residential areas and along waterways like Walnut Creek. Shaded sections provide respite, and the area's tree canopy contributes to notable fall colors. The overall landscape features an urban forest identity.

