Best walking routes in Des Moines

15 routes ranked on sights, efficiency, hills & length — real foot distance and elevation.

3.6 scoreHills 1/107.0 kmBest —
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Ranked routes

Same score for every walk. Click a card to expand details on the map.

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#1
Viewpoint

One Hour in Des Moines: A Short Walk

1 hour

5 stops1.7 km1 h 10 min

1.7 kmdistance1 h 10 minwith stops5stops+12 mgain
2.7 sights8.1 efficiency0.2 hills8.6 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 25 min+ up to 40 min insides+12 m climb along route
  1. St. Ambrose Cathedral
  2. Temple for Performing Arts
  3. Western Gateway Park
  4. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  5. Hoyt Sherman Place
247–266 m

Photo: ViewpointJames SteakleyCC BY-SA 3.0

4.7/10
#2
Viewpoint

Des Moines Parks Walk

Parks

5 stops4.0 km1 h 40 min

4.0 kmdistance1 h 40 minwith stops5stops+45 mgain
2.9 sights7.4 efficiency0.7 hills8.5 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 55 min+45 m climb along route
  1. Gray's Lake Park
  2. Arie den Boer Arboretum
  3. Western Gateway Park
  4. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  5. Terrace Hill
238–288 m

Photo: ViewpointUnknownPublic domain

4.6/10
#3
Viewpoint

Parks of Des Moines in 2 Hours

Parks

5 stops4.4 km1 h 40 min

4.4 kmdistance1 h 40 minwith stops5stops+68 mgain
2.7 sights7.3 efficiency1.1 hills7.4 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h+68 m climb along route
  1. Arie den Boer Arboretum
  2. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  3. Western Gateway Park
  4. Hoyt Sherman Place
  5. Terrace Hill
238–288 m

Photo: ViewpointC. A. TuckerCC BY-SA 3.0

4.4/10
#4
Viewpoint

Historic Heritage Walk in Des Moines

Heritage Walk

6 stops4.5 km1 h 35 min

4.5 kmdistance1 h 35 minwith stops6stops+24 mgain
2.2 sights7.9 efficiency0.4 hills7.2 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h+ up to 1 h 40 min insides+24 m climb along route
  1. Des Moines Botanical Center
  2. Homestead Building
  3. Science Center of Iowa
  4. Court Avenue Bridge
  5. State Historical Society of Iowa Museum
  6. Iowa State Capitol
237–269 m

Photo: ViewpointCarol M. HighsmithPublic domain

4.2/10
#5
Viewpoint

Old Town of Des Moines in 2 Hours

Old town

5 stops3.2 km1 h 20 min

3.2 kmdistance1 h 20 minwith stops5stops+19 mgain
1.1 sights8.2 efficiency0.3 hills9.2 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 45 min+ up to 1 h insides+19 m climb along route
  1. Court Avenue Bridge
  2. St. Ambrose Cathedral
  3. First United Methodist Church
  4. Temple for Performing Arts
  5. George Washington Carver Bridge
237–258 m

Photo: ViewpointNone givenPublic domain

4.0/10
#6
Viewpoint

Des Moines in 2 Hours on Foot

2 hours

8 stops5.2 km2 h 15 min

5.2 kmdistance2 h 15 minwith stops8stops+60 mgain
2.2 sights7.3 efficiency1.0 hills5.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 10 min+ up to 1 h insides+60 m climb along route
  1. St. Ambrose Cathedral
  2. First United Methodist Church
  3. Temple for Performing Arts
  4. Western Gateway Park
  5. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  6. George Washington Carver Bridge
  7. Hoyt Sherman Place
  8. Terrace Hill
238–288 m

Photo: ViewpointPhil RoederCC BY 2.0

3.8/10
#7
Viewpoint

Des Moines in One Day: Walking Itinerary

One day

11 stops15.9 km4 h 50 min

Inside visits push a full day to ~6 h 10 min.

Inside: Des Moines Art Center (~1 h) + Basilica of St. John, Des Moines (~20 min). Estimates only.

15.9 kmdistance4 h 50 minwith stops11stops~6 h 10 minfull day+84 mgain
2.2 sights7.6 efficiency1.4 hills4.1 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 3 h 30 min+ up to 2 h insides+84 m climb along route
  1. Des Moines Art Center (inside ~1 h)
  2. Allen Hazen Water Tower
  3. Greek Orthodox Church of St. George
  4. Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church
  5. Basilica of St. John, Des Moines (inside ~20 min)
  6. Hoyt Sherman Place
  7. Homestead Building
  8. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  9. Terrace Hill
  10. George Washington Carver Bridge
  11. Gray's Lake Park
238–302 m

Photo: ViewpointGoddesshannaCC BY-SA 3.0

3.8/10
#8
Viewpoint

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Des Moines

Walking tour

8 stops11.2 km3 h 40 min

11.2 kmdistance3 h 40 minwith stops8stops+78 mgain
3.1 sights7.7 efficiency1.3 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 30 min+ up to 40 min insides+78 m climb along route
  1. Des Moines Botanical Center
  2. St. Ambrose Cathedral
  3. Basilica of St. John, Des Moines
  4. Hoyt Sherman Place
  5. Terrace Hill
  6. Western Gateway Park
  7. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  8. Gray's Lake Park
237–289 m

Photo: ViewpointDsmspenceCC BY-SA 3.0

3.6/10
#9
Viewpoint

Easy Flat Walk in Des Moines (Kids & Stroller Friendly)

Easy walk

7 stops4.0 km1 h 40 min

4.0 kmdistance1 h 40 minwith stops7stops+11 mgain
1.1 sights7.0 efficiency0.2 hills8.5 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 55 min+ up to 1 h insides+11 m climb along route
  1. Temple for Performing Arts
  2. St. Ambrose Cathedral
  3. Homestead Building
  4. Court Avenue Bridge
  5. Science Center of Iowa
  6. Southwest Fifth St. Bridge
  7. St. Anthony's Catholic Church
237–249 m

Photo: ViewpointJames SteakleyCC BY-SA 3.0

3.6/10
#10
Viewpoint

Hidden Gems of Des Moines in 2 Hours

Hidden gems

6 stops3.9 km1 h 30 min

3.9 kmdistance1 h 30 minwith stops6stops+0 mgain
0.7 sights7.1 efficiency0.0 hills8.7 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 50 min+ up to 40 min insides+0 m climb along route
  1. First United Methodist Church
  2. Homestead Building
  3. Court Avenue Bridge
  4. Science Center of Iowa
  5. Southwest Fifth St. Bridge
  6. St. Anthony's Catholic Church
237–258 m

Photo: ViewpointJames SteakleyCC BY-SA 3.0

3.4/10
#11
Viewpoint

Historic Heritage Walk in Des Moines

Heritage Walk 2

6 stops6.3 km2 h 5 min

6.3 kmdistance2 h 5 minwith stops6stops+38 mgain
2.0 sights7.4 efficiency0.6 hills1.9 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 25 min+ up to 1 h 40 min insides+38 m climb along route
  1. Allen Hazen Water Tower
  2. Grace United Methodist Church
  3. Plymouth Church, Des Moines, Iowa
  4. Salisbury House
  5. Sylvan Theater Historic District
  6. Des Moines Art Center
264–301 m

Photo: ViewpointNhandler at English WikipediaCC BY-SA 3.0

3.2/10
#12
Viewpoint

Churches & Cathedrals of Des Moines Walk

Churches

7 stops7.1 km2 h 45 min

7.1 kmdistance2 h 45 minwith stops7stops+51 mgain
1.1 sights8.1 efficiency0.8 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 35 min+ up to 2 h 20 min insides+51 m climb along route
  1. St. Ambrose Cathedral
  2. First United Methodist Church
  3. Basilica of St. John, Des Moines
  4. Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church
  5. Greek Orthodox Church of St. George
  6. Grace United Methodist Church
  7. Plymouth Church, Des Moines, Iowa
247–300 m

Photo: ViewpointBen Siepmann (stgeorgedsm)CC BY-SA 3.0

2.7/10
#13
Viewpoint

Des Moines Old Town Walking Tour

Old town

10 stops12.1 km4 h

12.1 kmdistance4 hwith stops10stops+33 mgain
1.0 sights8.1 efficiency0.5 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 40 min+ up to 2 h 20 min insides+33 m climb along route
  1. Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church
  2. Basilica of St. John, Des Moines
  3. Trinity United Methodist Church (Des Moines, Iowa)
  4. Court Avenue Bridge
  5. St. Ambrose Cathedral
  6. First United Methodist Church
  7. Temple for Performing Arts
  8. George Washington Carver Bridge
  9. Southwest Fifth St. Bridge
  10. St. Anthony's Catholic Church
237–296 m

Photo: ViewpointBarefoot WalkerCC BY-SA 4.0

2.6/10
#14
Viewpoint

Easy Old Town Walk in Des Moines

Old town

6 stops8.0 km2 h 40 min

8.0 kmdistance2 h 40 minwith stops6stops+23 mgain
1.0 sights8.0 efficiency0.4 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 45 min+ up to 1 h 40 min insides+23 m climb along route
  1. Plymouth Church, Des Moines, Iowa
  2. Grace United Methodist Church
  3. Allen Hazen Water Tower
  4. Greek Orthodox Church of St. George
  5. Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church
  6. Basilica of St. John, Des Moines
286–302 m

Photo: ViewpointJbpo at English WikipediaCC BY-SA 3.0

2.6/10
#15
Viewpoint

Hidden Gems of Des Moines: Off-the-Beaten-Path Walk

Hidden gems

9 stops13.1 km3 h 50 min

13.1 kmdistance3 h 50 minwith stops9stops+72 mgain
0.7 sights8.2 efficiency1.2 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 55 min+ up to 2 h insides+72 m climb along route
  1. Trinity United Methodist Church (Des Moines, Iowa)
  2. Homestead Building
  3. State Historical Society of Iowa Museum
  4. Court Avenue Bridge
  5. St. Anthony's Catholic Church
  6. Southwest Fifth St. Bridge
  7. George Washington Carver Bridge
  8. First United Methodist Church
  9. Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church
237–291 m

Photo: ViewpointC. A. TuckerCC BY-SA 3.0

2.5/10

Hills: higher = steeper along the walk. Stairs (when shown): metres of mapped stairways near the route — approximate, not a step countvisit times are estimates.

Des Moines walking stats

From the 15 rated routes104 stops total28 unique places.

Most climbDes Moines in One Day: Walking Itinerary+84 m along route
Most stops / kmOne Hour in Des Moines: A Short Walk2.9 stops per km
Least climbHidden Gems of Des Moines in 2 Hours+0 m along route
Most stairsHistoric Heritage Walk in Des Moines~44 m mapped stairways (approx., not step count)
Longest / shortest15.9 km1.7 kmDes Moines in One Day: Walking Itinerary / One Hour in Des Moines: A Short Walk
Places on routes28unique stop ids
How we score. Same formula for every route: Sights 50% (how notable the stops are)Efficiency 25% (less backtracking between stops)Hills 10% (how steep the walk is)Length fit 15% (distance vs the kind of walk). Stairs stay a fact in metres, not a quality bar. Avg score in the hero is the mean across all ranked walks.

Des Moines FAQ

Short answers from this city’s data.

Best first-visit walk?
One Hour in Des Moines: A Short Walk (1.7 km, 1 h 10 min with stops) ranks #1 here.
Best months to walk Des Moines?
Most months work — check local weather before you go.
Shortest walk?
One Hour in Des Moines: A Short Walk1.7 km, walking 25 min.
One hour in Des Moines?
One Hour in Des Moines: A Short Walk: walking 25 min, with stops 1 h 10 min, 5 stops.
One-day plan?
Des Moines in One Day: Walking Itinerary: 11 stops, ~4 h 50 min on-route; suggested insides on marked stops; full day ≈ 6 h 10 min. Visit times are estimates.
Stairs and hills?
Hills is 10% of the score (higher = steeper along the walk). Stairs are not scored — when shown, they are metres of mapped stairways near the route (approximate; not a step count). Example: stairways ≈ 0 m.
Can I change stops?
Yes — open in Maps, edit, then paste into Lineo for a cleaner order.