Brent’s Trail rises high above the plains of western Iowa
Brent's Trail in the Loess Hills of western Iowa: Murray Hill trailhead.
Hike 12 miles of trails in one of the most scenic parts of Iowa’s Loess Hills.
Trail Brent’s Trail
Overview
Brent’s Trail is a unique Midwestern hiking experience. The Loess Hills rise sharply from Iowa’s Missouri River bottomlands, jutting 400 feet above the plains. The steep grades make them almost impassable in some areas. Atop these powdery ridges runs Brent’s Trail. It’s a point-to-point hike with a core route of 8 miles each way. Extensions lengthen it to 12 total miles. While these hills are ubiquitous – they run from Missouri to South Dakota – they’re mostly private property. Finding an area to explore is uncommon, and an area with established trails is even more of a prize. The scenery is spectacular and truly unique. Atop the hills, hikers can see for miles. Fall colors are vibrant.
Brent’s Trail skirts private property but is mostly contained within Loess Hills State Forest. State forest lands are open for primitive camping. However, this will indeed mean roughing it, with no restrooms or water. In addition, the Loess Hills tend to absorb all moisture, meaning there are few streams where you can even find water to purify or boil.
About the Loess Hills
Loess Hills were formed by wind-blown soil and not by geologic uplift, glacial deposits or erosion. They’ve been described as having a “wrinkled” look. Their appearance is striking: Scarred hills shoot up suddenly from river bottom flatlands with no transition zone. Natural terraces often form.
These “crumbly” hills were devoid of trees in their natural state, often because wildfires and grazing buffalo and elk kept them bare. With fire suppression and farming came trees, so much of the hill range is cloaked in forest. Yet much of the original “fire” remains in these hills, with plants usually associated with the West (such as Yucca) popping up here.
While loess soils are not unique to Missouri and Iowa, their size here is unmatched except for a region in China. This region is truly unique in the Americas.
Length Brent’s Trail includes 12 total miles. The original route was eight miles each way, but spurs have been added.
Address and location There are several points to access Brent’s Trail. These include:
Murray Hill Trailhead 1634 County Road F20, Little Sioux, Iowa 51545
Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Area 1394 Larpenteur Memorial Rd, Little Sioux, Iowa 51545
You can also access the trail from south of Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Area via Loess Hills State Forest from 165th Trail Road (download the map below)
Conditions
This dirt trail is generally well maintained but there is some seasonal overgrowth. Consistent marker signs help you know where you’re going. With that said, this trail is highly strenuous with numerous elevation changes. While most hilly terrain features switchbacks, Brent’s Trail just goes straight up and up and up. In addition, the Loess soil is extremely slippery when wet and could be impassable or even dangerous. The trail varies from wooded groves to fully exposed ridges, so be prepared to adapt. If you grow too fatigued, there are a few points where you can exit to roads and expedite your return trip.Kid friendly? Only the most athletic of children should attempt this trail.
How busy? This area is rural and remote. However, it is less than one hour from the Omaha/Council Bluffs area and can have moderate traffic in peak season.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
Bikes You’d be crazy.
Other area attractions include:
Arbor Day Farm is a family-oriented park (paid admission required) in Nebraska City, Neb. Lied Lodge, also in Nebraska City, is a unique, nature-oriented hotel.
Nebraska City is also home to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitors Center (paid admission) and Arbor Lodge State Historical Park (paid admission).
Murray Hill trailhead location for Brent’s Trail