Madrid to Ledges State Park Gravel Route

Park at the Johnson Family Trailhead at Madrid’s Dalander Park just off Highway 17 for access to the High Trestle Trail.
Follow the High Trestle Trail west to the Third Street Trail entrance to Uptown Madrid.
Go through the downtown area of Madrid to Market Street and turn north.
Continue to the north edge of town onto 22nd St and turn left one block to Locust St/Rose Road (1.1 mile from trailhead).
Go north on Rose Road (the Old State Road) that turns to gravel.
The former settlement of Belle Point is at the 5.4 mile marker.
Continue past 290th St intersection and turn sharp left at 280th St. at 6.5 miles.
Continue on with an immediate sweeping downhill.
A steep 18% grade hill (locally known as Nutt Hill) awaits at 7.9 miles.
Shortly after the daunting hill, turn right (North) onto Peach Ave that is pavement. A short trip to the south would take you to the Iowa Arboretum.
Continue on Peach Ave which turns to gravel when it crosses the major county road E57 (9.2 miles).
Turn left at the T intersection onto 260th St. (10.3 miles).
Continue on 260th as this turns into the paved P Ave (10.6 miles).
Arrive at The Ledges State Park (12.2 miles).
From The Ledges there is the Canyon Road with shallow stream crossings and other routes to Boone and Woodward along paved county roads.

Iowa Bike Routes