Bike and Hike Weekend in the Amana Colonies.

July 17th and 18th is Bike and Hike Weekend in the Amana Colonies. Bring your bike or walking shoes and enjoy a great summer weekend outdoors. The centerpiece of the weekend takes place with Millstream Brewery’s Tour de Brew but you’ll find biking and hiking trails for every age and ability level.

They have planned 3 biking events for this weekend and 7 walking routes. Here is a brief description of each:

Biking Events

Saturday, July 17th only

• Millstream Brewery’s Tour de Brew
  • Millstream’s annual 38 mile bike ride through the area.  This event is a poker ride with stops along the way for refreshments and to pick up your poker cards. You’ll need to register for this event at Millstream Brewery and there is a registration fee

Both Saturday and Sunday

• Enjoy our Gravel Bike Route that takes you into the Iowa countryside north of Middle Amana and loops to High Amana and then to West Amana.  This route is on gravel roads so it can be challenging. You’ll pass by the area that is said to have inspired the famous artist Grant Wood to paint “Young Corn”.

Walking Events

Saturday, July 17th only

• Amana Heritage Museum to Middle Amana Communal Kitchen
  • Begin at our Museum in Amana and walk the paved trail to Middle Amana’s Communal Kitchen.  When you arrive we will have a delicious sweet treat waiting for you. Relax and enjoy the the peaceful village of Middle Amana and the only surviving communal kitchen and then walk back to Amana.

Both Saturday and Sunday

• Our History Trail
  • Start at the Amana Heritage Museum and take a 1.5 mile walk through the village of Amana.  We will direct you to many of the historic sites and businesses in the village.
• The Culinary Trail
  • Starting at the Heritage Haus on the main street of Amana, you will walk to the shops and businesses that specialize in food products.  Each shop will have some type of free sample to try.  That’s just to whet your appetite, when you finish the walk we suggest you sit down for a meal at one of our famous restaurants to complete your Amana Colonies Culinary experience.
• Art and Antique Walk
  • This route starts from our Visitor Center and will lead you to both the Art Galleries and Antique Shops in the village of Amana.  It’s length is about 3/4 of a mile.
• The Homestead Trail
  • This walk is in Homestead (the only Amana village not named Amana).  It starts at the west end of the town and continues along the lone street of Homestead pointing out several historic sites along the way.
• Amana Colonies Nature Trail
  • Located at the junction of Highway 6 and Highway 151, just northwest of Homestead, this is a beautiful hike through our hardwood forest towards the Iowa River.  The trial offers several options for length from 1 to 3.2 miles.
• The Lily Lake Walk
  • On this walk you start at the shelter that is on the banks of the Lily Lake in between Amana and Middle Amana and walk east to the paved trail and then south towards mill race that was built in the 1800’s to provide water power to operate the Woolen Mills in both Middle Amana and Amana.  Once you reach the mill race you’ll turn west and follow the gravel path around the lake until you meet up to the paved path that will take you back to the shelter.