Eight great hiking & biking trails

Spring is well on its way as temperatures gradually rise and snow disappears. Your train of thought may switch from skiing and snowshoeing to hiking and biking. You may find yourself wanting to get out of the stuffy dorms and into the fresh spring air.

Decorah is surrounded by both paved and unpaved hiking and biking trails that traverse beautiful outlooks over the city and Luther’s campus. Trails such as Ice Cave Hill, River Trail, Palisades Park, Phelps Park and Twin Springs not only challenge riders and hikers according to trail rating, but also show students sides of the city and nature they have never experienced.

With a total of eight city trails, Decorah is more than capable of accommodating the different riding and hiking abilities of everyone looking to enjoy the outdoors.

For those who prefer to hiking, grab a good pair of hiking shoes, some friends and a trail map (which can be found at Decorah Bicycle or Decorah Vistor’s Bureau) and hit the trails running. As for those who want to hit the road on two wheels but don’t have a bike, bike rentals will be available at the Preus Library again this year after spring break.

Bikes of all kinds are also available at the Decorah Bike Shop, located on College Drive next to the Whippy Dip.

“Depending on what you ride, road bike, cruiser or Mountain bike, and for how long, it’s about $20 for a full day and $9.35 for half a day,” said Issac Salwolke of Decorah Bike Shop.

Decorah Oneota River Cycles, located on East Water Street, sells bikes and has general information about the trails in and around Decorah. Owner Richard Gosen is in charge of much of the general maintenance of the trails.

Gosen also works to preserve the River Trail.

“About two years ago, the city was going to abandon the River Trail, but I teamed up with the cross country team from Luther and we cleared the trail and then some,” Gosen said. “When we were done, the trail was not only suitable for hiking and biking, but it was in the best shape I’ve ever seen it.”

Also in charge of the trail maps of and around Decorah, Gosen urges anyone who wants to venture out on the trails to first look them up at http://exploredecorah.com.

“I push for hikers and bikers to do this because, in an effort to go green, we are trying to do away with paper,” Gosen said.

With such an abundance of trail options, there is no excuse for people not to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sights that beautiful Decorah offers.