The Hoover Nature Trail (HNT) is a crushed limestone rail trail in eastern Iowa that follows the old Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad route between Burlington and Cedar Rapids. The trail is a shared-use trail for bicycling, hiking, jogging, walking, cross-country skiing, and nature study and is 24 miles (39 km) long.[1]
Portions of the trail are in varying stages of development, with sections near Ely, West Branch, Nichols, Columbus Junction and Morning Sun completed. In 1990, a three-mile (4.8 km) section opened east of Morning Sun. There has been a renewed push lately[2] to connect the HNT with other trails in eastern Iowa.
The trail is part of the American Discovery Trail and when completed, the HNT will become Iowa’s longest recreational trail.