The Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Hike You’ll Find in Iowa

If you ask me, few things are more romantic than a walk through the woods. Throw in a babbling brook, some rock formations, and ply me with dinner, and you'll have me for sure. Sure, it may be a little cold around Valentine's Day in Iowa, but with the right winter clothes, we'll be fine. The only question left is where to walk. Since it's Valentine's Day, I don't think the hike should be too long, too arduous, or too far from where we may want to end up. But it should still be scenic and at least feel remote. One Iowa hiking trail I can think of that fits this bill is the Twin Springs Headwaters Loop near Decorah.

This sweet little trail is located in Twin Springs Park, not far from the Upper Iowa River and Pulpit Rock. It's an easy trail, though the hike involves a bit of uphill work as you climb to the top of the bluff, and back down again over the course of just under one mile. You can preview the hike on your phone or computer using AllTrails Plus.

There's a beautiful grove of pine trees near the top of the ridge that adds a welcome splash of color to the hike, even in February, and dampens sounds as you walk over their needles. Maybe the chirp of a bird or bark of a squirrel interrupts, but it feels like this is a place where you and your companion could whisper secrets, and they would stay safe here. I used to come here in high school with my girlfriend, and it always felt like that to me.

After descending the bluff, the trail follows rushing and gurgling Twin Spring up its narrow gorge and back toward its headwaters where the trail started. The stream flows quickly enough that, even in winter, it never freezes completely, especially near the small waterfalls along its course, near which you can find green patches of watercress even when nothing else is growing nearby.

The cherry on the sundae of this Valentine's Day hike is Twin Springs Supper Club, a Decorah favorite that's been delighting diners since 2020. Not only does it serve up some of the most delicious food and drinks in the area, it's less than a quarter mile up a narrow lane from the trailhead. You could literally finish your hike here. Just be sure to contact the supper club to make your Valentine's Day reservation well ahead of time. Make the holiday extra special by booking nearby Twin Springs Lodge for the night. This cozy rental cabin is super romantic, and it, too, is just a short walk from the supper club and trail head. Once you've found a place to rest your head, use our new Travel Planner to discover your next Iowa adventure!