Review Date
May 28, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: 29indrop ,  Racer

Summary:
This trail is the most challenging trails in Iowa, topped only by Decorah in my opinion. One can tell the trail was built for racing. It consists of one long loop of about 7 miles and is all ridable by any XC racer. With many long climbs the course get it's difficulty not from rock gardens and log crossings but from the elevation gain per lap.

Recommended Route:
After paying the daily fee of $3 at the lodge ride across the grass field to the south easy corner and pick up the single track. It's on long loop from there.

Review Date
May 13, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Twebb ,  Racer

Summary:
Seven Oaks is one of the best trails in the State of Iowa. Well maintained and ever expanding. Iowa’s only 24hr race is held there every year and always test the riders entered. This trail is almost 100 % single track. The trail consists of short up and down sections, off camber sections (uphill, downhill and flat) and a couple of longer climbs. If you ride Seven Oaks you will not be disappointed.

Recommended Route:
Start at the bottom by the club house and ride the whole trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Nothing else like this trail in central Iowa. You would have to drive up into far NE Iowa to get another trial as good as this one.

Review Date
June 18, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: BruceBrown ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail when I first rode it kicked my backside big time. Had to ride back down to the van and switch from my 26" bike to my 29" wheeled Karate Monkey. Right out of the parking lot and after paying my fee to ride, you have to climb a series of switchbacks and get those lungs and legs burning as you make your way up the "mountain". Do they have mountains in Iowa?

Well, yes - this trail is on a "mountain". The first time I rode Seven Oaks was the fall of 2003 and they had it set up for a race course that was coming a couple of days after I rode the course. This was a tough course. Way up top in the woods, much of the singletrack was at the most - only 4 inches wide and the dirt was loose and giving way. To top it off, much of the trail was at an angle running along the side of the mountain. Tough to hold your line on that stuff especially when surrounded by young sapling trees that were grabbing at my handlebars. Kickbutt tough trail and I loved it. I wasn't there to race, but enjoyed the layout immensely. I have been back several times to take on the challenge. I love the downhill finish coming back down the ski slope to the lodge and parking lot. It'll exhaust you if you ride this trail right.

Recommended Route:
Park the car in the ski area parking lot. Head over to the left side of the ski area and ascend the switchbacks up into the mountain. Wander around up in the back woods, fight your way through the trees and head back through the edge of the field and down the mountain to do it all over again. I have no idea how many miles it all is, but lots of acres and trails to cover.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Sycamore/Brickyard in Des Moines. Sugar Bottom in Iowa City (Coralville Lake actually). Lake Ahquabi State Park south of Indianola.

Review Date
January 21, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Review Date
October 13, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months