An abandoned railway and remnants of the old line still remain on the trail and in the small towns. There is a collection of Indian Burial grounds along the trail and many geological sites, one significant one for the fossil Nautiloid Cepholopods.
It is maintained by the Dubuque County Conservation Board, and was converted from a segment of the former Chicago Great Western railroad line between Chicago and Oelwein, Iowa. Surfaced with compacted, crushed limestone and possessing no grade greater than one percent, the trail is shared by cyclists and hikers, and in winter by snowmobiler's and cross-country skiers. No horses or unleashed dogs are permitted. Trail hours are sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted.
Repairs to the trail, following damage from flooding in 2008, are ongoing.
