Phelps Park (IA) - Trollkor’s Trail Loop Hike

Some of the stonework on the trail

If you are looking for a great up-and-down trail loop with multiple interesting features, Trollkor's is a great 2.2 mile hike, spring through fall. With gun deer hunting season throughout November in WI and MN (IA's gun season starts in December), I figured it was a great time to swing over to Decorah IA to check the trail out. 

Decorah (population 7500) is rich in trails. According to their Park and Rec Dept., they have over 50 miles of hiking, walking, biking, running, cross country skiing and stroller-ing trails. The extensive trail system, centering on a series of limestone bluffs surrounding the Upper Iowa River, is a gold mine of recreational activities for locals and visitors alike.

There are a number of trailheads to start the Trollkor's loop but my favorite is at its west end off Hwy 52 at Oneota Dr.  There is tiny parking area at the dead end right by the trailhead marked by twin stone columns. This trailhead is on part of the 11-mile Trout Run Trail. It's wide, asphalt path accommodates bikers, runners, and walkers and is part of the Lower Phelp's Park trail as well. 

Upper Iowa River

On the left as you begin, the Upper Iowa River meanders. On the right, are low limestone cliffs full of small openings and broken rock at the base. Within 1/4 mile, there is a trail junction at a ravine near a kiosk with information on these algific talus slopes. You've just passed a few and there are more ahead. On warm days you can feel the cold air coming out of the holes in the limestone and see some amazing plant life on their north facing slopes. A marked trailhead climbs steeply up to the upper trails. But stay on the Trout Run trail for an easier access to the upper trails about 1/2 mile ahead. 

Prolific mosses growover cold air
openings on algific talus slopes

The rock walls, with their cold air and massive swaths of delicate fern moss, are attention getting as the limestone cliffs began to tower above the trail. There is a lovely sculpture overlooking the river with small butterfly benches right before coming to a junction. Just ahead on the right off the paved trail are two more twin stone columns and a trail marker for the upper Trollkor's loop section.

Intricate herringbone pattern stonework

A quick 1/4 mile, 100 foot climb on a narrow, switch-backing dirt trail brings you to upper Phelp's Park. You are greeted by a short section of road with a fence of short columns stretching ahead with a complex of overlooks and stonework as you get to the main area of the park. The CCC-built rock columns are intricate and carefully crafted. A stone staircase descends down to the bluffside where the stone works (of art) feature carefully placed vertical stones in herringbone patterns and artfully chosen rock columns. 

CCC "LOTR dwarvish" earthworks

After passing through a long gazebo-like area, the rocky dirt trail continues beneath neighborhoods. You soon reach what to my eyes appears to be a series of Lord-of-the-Rings-style stone works. This well-engineered and CCC-built project leads down to a massive stairway and bridge crossing a ravine and following a stone-column railing to a final lookout. Be sure to note how seamlessly the stonework blends into the limestone cliffs. Masterful.

On the limestone cliff trails

Following the narrow cliffside trail west (hiking sticks are a plus on the trail's loose rock) affords great views of the river and prairie trails across the river. You soon come to a small trailhead that takes you steeply down to the Trout run trail. Don't take it, though, if you want to continue a great bluff hike.

Continuing on along the bluffside trail to your left, you cross bridges over ravines and hike upwards through a lovely clear understory. Once you cross a final bridge, you will climb a bit more through a buckthorn-filled part of the trail until you reach the top (you know you're on top because you hear traffic again). You'll then begin to descend slowly for 200 feet in a 1/2 mile along winding switch-backing trails that shift to pavement as you re-enter the neighborhood of Oneota Dr and spot your vehicle again.

THE HIKE
Trollkor's Loop is a 2.2 mile loop trail with a total elevation gain of 276 feet. The loop starts on a fairly flat  paved trail between the Upper Iowa River on the right and algific talus slopes (a naturalist's paradise) that morph to towering limestone cliffs on your left. At the end of the pavement, narrow switchbacks lead up to Phelps's Park and its stunning CCC-built stonework. The narrow rocky trails invite a hiking stick(s) as you walk atop the cliffs through cliffsides and across bridges spanning ravines. The loop ends with a slow descent into pavement that winds down to the Oneota drive neighborhood and your vehicle. This is a lovely trail with lots of features to return to and enjoy.

The Location

613 Park Dr, Decorah IA. There are also trailheads at the end of Main St to access the lower and upper parts of the loop and at Phelps Park above the city to access the upper portion.

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Image  - Jean Hammons

Looking for more area hikes? Please stop by the web version of the blog and under the "Labels" tab on the right hand side of the blog, click on "find-a-hike". There are over 75 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!

A view of the Upper Iowa River
and prairie trails