If you consider yourself an expert explorer, you've got to add these seven underrated best hikes in Iowa to your outdoor bucket list! Whether you visit in the spring and summer to enjoy wildflowers and butterflies, or you make the trek in the fall for leaf-peeping, these are sure to be quiet spots where you'll get in touch with mother nature. Come rediscover the underappreciated beauty of the best hikes in Iowa on these trails:

1. Ken Sidey Nature Trails

You'll find more than three miles of forested trails here! Hike up and down hilly and varied terrain and cross beautiful, moss-covered bridges. This is a great hike any time of the year, but it should absolutely make your fall foliage list! This is one of the nature hikes in Iowa that all the locals love.

2. Redtail Ridge Habitat Area

Two miles of trail follow the Little Sioux River in this quiet, often empty wildlife management area. It's a fairly flat, well-groomed trail that's sure to showcase peace and quiet.

You can find all the technical details about this breathtaking hike in Iowa on AllTrails.

3. F.W. Kent Conservation Education Center Trail and Pond Loop

Travel 3.4 miles when you explore the F.W. Kent Conservation Education Center's beautiful loop around their signature pond. The beautiful wildflowers along the prairie fields are home to pollinators, so you're sure to spot butterflies! There isn't much shade on this trail, so go during a cool part of the day.Get all the details about the hike as well as this one-of-a-kind nature preserve in Iowa on AllTrails.

4. Belva-Deer Lake Loop

Travel 6.2 miles around the scenic Belva-Deer Lake on this loop trail that's one of the most underrated hikes in Iowa. Enjoy trekking through rolling hills and taking in the gorgeous scenery. This scenic hike in Iowa is covered in more detail on AllTrails.

5. Pine Lake Loop

Pine Lake State Park is home to the Pine Lake Loop, a 2.8 mile lightly trafficked trail that showcases the lake, forest, and more. You can make it a much longer trail by continuing around the whole lake, and you'll pass a beach on the way. It won't be hard to see why we consider this one of the best hikes in Iowa.

6. Summerset State Park

Hike through Summerset State Park to discover boardwalks, hills, and waterfront views! This 2.5-mile loop trail is sure to become a favorite and is one of the most underrated hikes in Iowa. This is one state park trail in Iowa that's definitely worth exploring.

7. Wikiup Hill

The 3.4-mile Wikiup Hill trail is located within a preserved natural area, and it's a great place for birders to spot shy birds and other wildlife. More details about this hiking trail in Iowa can be found on AllTrails.

What are your favorite underrated hikes in Iowa? Let us know in the comments, or nominate your favorite park!