Teri Stickler, Outdoor Blogger
Oh my, our intrepid four-pawed blogger, Kaia, has found a gem of a new place to wander, not far from the Quad Cities. If you like to hike, fish, picnic, photograph, breathe, or renew, then Swiss Valley Nature Preserve is for you!
For hikers, there are 475 acres to explore. Hardwood forests, meandering crystal-clear streams, well-maintained trails, flat places to stroll, and breathtaking hills to climb and prairie views to take in…this park has it all!
It is an easy drive about an hour north of the Quad Cities and just south of Dubuque, Iowa. Once you turn onto Swiss Valley Road, you will almost think you are in Switzerland. Steep, hilly terrain, “Swiss cows” grazing the grasses. In fact, in the 1830’s Swiss immigrants did settle here. In 1973, to preserve its beauty and diversity, Dubuque County Conservation Board acquired the land.
The preserve features 10 miles of self-guided trails and a multitude of foot bridges, including a fun suspension bridge. Kaia got a kick out of that one! Then again, she also took great joy wading in the nice cold water of the creek, perfect for hot and tired paws.
Trails are well-marked. After parking, we began at the Visitor Center. There’s even a spot there to prop up your phone and do a selfie prior to descending steps toward the stream.
Once we crossed the stream, we took Ridge Trail to High Point Trail. The walk up to High Point will give you some exercise, but once at the top, the view spreads out far and wide.
We continued around and ended up back near the stream. Kaia grabbed a drink there and got her feet cooled off before we crossed over, following Woodland Ecology Trail to Bobcat Hollow Trail and then back along Stream Bottom Trail toward our starting point.
Somewhere along the way Kaia was determined to get in the creek again, so I joined her, and we crossed the creek without the convenience of a foot bridge. (No worries, I usually bring an extra pair of shoes along when we go out on these adventures, just to have something dry to put on for the drive back home.)
For a fun fishing expedition, be sure to not only have your tackle, pole, and fishing license with you, but also be sure to pick up a trout stamp because Catfish Creek is stocked with trout by the Iowa DNR. If you would like to expand your knowledge during your visit, be sure to stop in the Interpretive Visitor Center where you’ll find ecological, historic and wildlife displays.
Directions
Take highway US 61 toward Dubuque. Swiss Valley Nature Preserve is located at 13606 Swiss Valley Road, Peosta, Iowa.
Once we arrived back by the car, I took the time to stop in the Nature Center. I asked about a trail map. Tip: When you begin your hike, if no trail maps are to be found in the box at the trailhead, both Kaia and I encourage you to step inside the visitor center and pick one up. If you choose not to do that and if you are adventurous, trying out several trails, you might end up hiking further than you set out to do. But what’s wrong with that, right? And although Kaia and I did not manage to experience all 10 miles of trails, I will admit, we hiked one or two more than I had planned, but we weren’t complaining!
Make your phone is fully charged when you begin your hike because with all the picture- taking; my phone just gave out.
And of course, bring along your fur babies, if for no other reason than to put those good noses to work. I put Kaia in charge of finding the car when I could barely take another tired step!
Both of us highly recommend a visit Swiss Valley Nature Preserve. It won’t disappoint!
Download a Trail Map: https://www.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/ImageRepository/Document?documentId=221
