High Trestle Trail Bridge

The bridge stands on the line of a former railroad that once crossed the Des Moines River valley here. When the rail line was abandoned, the corridor was preserved and converted into the High Trestle Trail, part of a nationwide movement to turn disused railways into public trails for walking and cycling. The old high crossing over the river valley was the trail's great challenge and its great opportunity.

Rather than build a purely functional span, the project's partners commissioned an artist to reimagine the crossing. The result rebuilt the trestle as both a bridge and a sculpture, keeping the thrill of a high railroad crossing while adding a layer of design that turned it into one of the most photographed places in Iowa.

The bridge's signature feature is a series of steel frames set along its length, each rotated slightly from the last, so that as you move through them they seem to spiral around you. The design was inspired by the coal-mining history of the valley below, evoking the timbers and shafts of the old mines that once ran beneath this land. Walking or riding through the frames is a strange and lovely experience, a slow turning of the view.

After dark the artistry deepens. Blue lighting comes on along the bridge, and the glowing structure floats above the dark valley like something out of a dream. Many visitors deliberately time their crossing for dusk to catch the transition, and the night lighting has made the bridge a beloved evening outing.

From high on the bridge, the Des Moines River winds through a broad, wooded valley far below, a green corridor cutting through the surrounding farmland. The height gives a rare bird's-eye view of the river country, and the long approach along the flat, tree-lined trail builds to the sudden openness of the crossing.

The trail links a chain of small central Iowa towns, so a visit can be a short out-and-back to the bridge or a longer ride connecting the communities along the way. Either way, the flat, paved path makes it welcoming to families, casual cyclists, and evening strollers alike.

The bridge crosses the country north of Des Moines, in the heart of Iowa's rich farm belt, where the Des Moines River threads through corn and soybean fields on its way toward the capital. The valley's coal-mining past, honored in the bridge's design, was a real chapter here, when small mines dotted the river country and supplied the growing state.

This region lies within the historic homelands of the Ioway, for whom the state is named, along with the Meskwaki, the Sauk, and the Dakota, whose peoples lived across the prairies and river valleys of central Iowa long before the railroads and farms. The Des Moines River itself was a route and a home for people here for thousands of years, a long history that underlies the young trail crossing above it.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The High Trestle Trail Bridge, spanning the Des Moines River valley near the town of Madrid in central Iowa, is a spectacular half-mile-long bridge for walkers and cyclists on the popular High Trestle Trail, a former railroad route turned recreation path. Its most famous feature is a series of angular steel frames arching over the walkway, evoking the region's coal-mining history, which are dramatically lit at night in blue, making the bridge a stunning sight after dark. Set high above the river valley, it offers sweeping views and a memorable crossing. With its striking artistic design, night lighting, and scenic setting, the High Trestle Trail Bridge offers a unique destination in central Iowa.

You can walk or bike across the half-mile bridge high above the Des Moines River valley, take in the sweeping views, admire the dramatic angular steel frames that arch over the path, and experience the bridge lit up in blue at night for a truly memorable sight. The bridge is part of the longer High Trestle Trail, popular for cycling and walking between towns with trailside stops. Sunset and after dark are especially magical. With its scenic crossing, artistic design, and glowing night lighting, the High Trestle Trail Bridge offers a unique and beautiful outing near Madrid in central Iowa.

The bridge can be enjoyed year-round, but it is especially magical around sunset and after dark, when the angular steel frames are lit in blue, creating the bridge's signature glowing effect, so an evening visit is a highlight. Late spring through fall offers the mildest weather for walking or biking the trail, with fall bringing beautiful color to the river valley. Bring a light for the trail approach at night. For the full experience, time a visit to catch the bridge lit at dusk from late spring through fall at the High Trestle Trail Bridge near Madrid, Iowa.

The bridge is high above the river valley with railings for safety, so stay on the walkway and keep children close, especially near the edges, and if visiting at night bring a light for the trail leading to the bridge, as the approach can be dark. The nearest parking and trailheads are a short walk or ride from the bridge itself, so wear comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather, as the exposed bridge can be windy. Being prepared for the walk, the height, and evening conditions ensures a safe and memorable visit to the High Trestle Trail Bridge in central Iowa.

The High Trestle Trail Bridge is near the towns of Madrid and Woodward in central Iowa, within reach of the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad and Ledges State Park near Boone, the Des Moines metro with its Capitol and Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and the covered bridges of Madison County. That makes the High Trestle Trail Bridge a unique stop to combine with the Boone attractions, Ledges State Park, and the other sights of central Iowa on a visit to the state.