The Story Behind Iowa's High Trestle Trail Bridge

Jason Palmer

The High Trestle Trail Bridge in Iowa is a stunning piece of architecture that manages to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The decorative light tunnel is a real point of interest and delivers some stunning views as you walk through it. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the High Trestle Trail Bridge?

At around 130ft (40m) high and spanning nearly half a mile (770m) long, the High Trestle Trail Bridge is an impressive sight. It is said to be among the largest trail bridges in the world, and in 2015 the BBC classed it as one of the eight best footbridges to walk in the world.

High Trestle is a 25mi (40km)-long trail that winds its way through five of Iowa’s towns – namely Woodward, Madrid, Slater, Sheldahl and Ankeny. It provides scenic views of the Des Moines River Valley and is located close to the famous mining shafts that provided pivotal work for immigrant communities and those who settled nearby back in the day.

The design of the High Trestle Trail Bridge

As well as being called the High Trestle Bridge, Iowa Mining Bridge or just simply Iowa Bridge, it’s also known as the Iowa Light Bridge.

The bridge decking incorporates illuminated frames that simulate the descent through a mineshaft, from the point of view of the miners. The attractive design’s decorative lighting remains on between dusk and midnight (when it’s best viewed) and lights up the area as a beacon of living history. The end result is a stunning sensory journey as you walk across it, as well as providing the landscape with a futuristic light installation that marries the old with the new.

The history of the High Trestle Trail Bridge

It was originally built in the 1970s to carry rail traffic, but with the retirement of that rail line in the early 2000s, the original bridge deck was removed. The trestles remained, and after a big effort from local businesses and Iowa’s Arts Council to get the project running, it now supports new decking that’s been designed as a bicycle path and pedestrian footway.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article