Fourmile Mountain Bike Park is “a soft surface trail system oriented towards recreational mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and groomed trails for winter fat biking” in the wooded land north of Copper Creek Lake. You will find the gravel parking lot along Washington Avenue (no sign) just off Williams Street. We will leave from there at 10:00 a.m.
We will head north on old 42nd and venture all way to where it used to connect. Then we will backtrack and enter the trail system. We will take the trail (not the construction road) to the other side of the creek and hike up and around the outer loop trail (Hydro). I estimate the total mileage will be about 1.5 miles.
If the dirt trail is muddy, we will walk the paved trail around the lake. Either way, we will walk slowly, think “stroll,” and no one will be left behind.
Fourmile Mountain Bike Park is hilly with bike features. Hiking poles are useful, particularly on the hills, but not a necessity.
I lead group walks on different trails in the Des Moines area a few times a month. This free Soft Trail Stroll series is designed to help people looking for a simple way to become more active. The events are for people of all ages (and dogs on leashes)—anyone who fancies a stroll!
The second purpose is to increase appreciation of our local soft trails. What is a soft trail? Simply, it is an unpaved trail. Its surface may be dirt, grass, or crushed rock/gravel. I am an avid mountain biker and know all these trails very well. I can guarantee that no one will get lost!
View the weather cancellation policy at www.roccasecca.fitness/stroll.
This Soft Trail Stroll event is also part of the Spring 2026 Couch to 5K Walking Program. The program begins on National Walking Day, Wednesday, April 1st with a short kick-off walk and Q&A session. It concludes on Saturday, June 6th.
June 6th is National Trails Day, and I will be leading a 5K hike on the flat, dirt trail at Sycamore in Johnston. It is also the date of the American Heart Association 2026 Central Iowa Heart Walk at DMACC in Ankeny.
Learn more about the Couch to 5K Walking program at www.roccasecca.fitness/walking-program.
Soft Trail Stroll walks are endorsed by the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative.
They endorse events in Iowa whose primary purpose contributes to the goals of the Healthiest State Initiative and improves well-being in the state of Iowa.
View the HSI Event Calendar to learn more.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Learn more about Fourmile Mountain Bike Park from Polk County Conservation or Central Iowa Trail Association.
