The best road cycling routes around Windsor Heights

Windsor Heights is a central hub within a vast network of paved trails, offering diverse road cycling experiences. You'll find routes that connect suburban areas with larger regional trails, providing opportunities for both shorter loops and longer excursions through urban forests and along rivers. The area is particularly known for its well-maintained, interconnected trail system.

This guide features 4 road cycling routes, all of which are rated as moderate difficulty. These routes offer a good balance of distance and elevation gain for experienced road cyclists.

While all routes in this guide are rated as moderate, some offer significant distances and elevation gains. For instance, the Hempfield Tunnel loop from Speidel Golf Courses Clubhouse covers nearly 70 km with almost 700 meters of elevation gain, providing a substantial workout for road cyclists.

The routes in this guide range from approximately 32 km to 70 km in length. Elevation gains vary from around 350 meters to nearly 700 meters, offering varied terrain suitable for moderate road cycling.

Yes, all the routes featured in this guide are convenient loop routes. For example, you can enjoy the Roadbike loop from Speidel Golf Courses Clubhouse or the Hempfield Tunnel loop from Oglebay Ski and Snowboard Area, both designed for a circular journey.

Windsor Heights' connectivity allows access to several natural attractions. You can cycle near Colby Park, a key trailhead, or explore routes that connect to larger natural areas like Brown's Woods, known as the state's largest urban forest. Trails also follow the Des Moines River, offering scenic vistas, and connect to iconic structures like the High Trestle Bridge.

Windsor Heights is a crucial link in the regional trail system. The Walnut Creek Trail passes directly through, connecting to the Bill Riley Trail to the east and the Clive Greenbelt Trail to the west. These connections provide access to an extensive network, including the High Trestle Trail, Chichaqua Valley Trail, and the Neal Smith Trail.

Yes, many trailheads and parks within the broader Des Moines area, accessible from Windsor Heights, offer parking. Colby Park in Windsor Heights itself is a significant trailhead with amenities, including parking, making it a convenient starting point for your rides.

The spring, summer, and fall months generally offer the most pleasant conditions for road cycling in Windsor Heights, with comfortable temperatures and lush scenery. Always check local weather forecasts before heading out, especially during transitional seasons.

While the routes in this guide are rated moderate, the extensive paved trail network around Windsor Heights offers many family-friendly sections. Trails like the Walnut Creek Trail and those around Gray's Lake Park are generally flat and well-maintained, suitable for cyclists of all ages and skill levels, providing a safe environment away from traffic.

Given Windsor Heights' suburban setting and its connections to urban centers like Des Moines, you'll find numerous opportunities for cafes, restaurants, and other amenities along or near the extensive trail network. Many parks, such as Colby Park, also offer basic facilities.

Absolutely. The interconnected nature of the trails allows for very long rides. For example, the Hempfield Tunnel loop from Speidel Golf Courses Clubhouse is nearly 70 km. By linking various trails like the Walnut Creek, Bill Riley, and Clive Greenbelt, you can easily create custom routes stretching for many more miles into the wider Des Moines metropolitan area.