The Kansas City area has had its fair share of rain and clouds these last few weeks, but blue skies and sun are on the way just in time for National Trails Day.
In celebration we put together this handy list of some of KC's best hiking trails:
- Loose Park Trails
Location: Wornall Road and 51st St., Kansas City, MO
Length: 2 trails, each less than 2 miles
Best For: Casual walkers, joggers and taking your dog for a walk - Wyandotte Co. Park Trails
Location: State Ave. & 126th St., Bonner Springs, Kan.
Length: 8.9 mile loop or more
Best For: Trail runners or hikers looking to challenge themselves
The 1500-acre Wyandotte Co. Park has an 8.85-mile loop circling the park and other trails inside. These are rocky trails with some big hills and water to cross. You may see horses or, twice a year, the Psychodelic 5K Race on the hottest and coldest weekends. - Trolley Track Trail
Location: Mostly along Wornall & Brookside Blvd., Kansas City, MO
Length: 10 miles
Best For: City runners with sensitive knees, family bikers
This gentle-on-the-knees crushed limestone path runs from the Country Club Plaza to Brookside to Waldo. Farther south and east it changes to asphalt. From one end to the other it is more than 10 miles. Popular for walkers, runners, strollers, dogs and bikes. Before this was a trail, as the name suggests, it was part of a trolley system, but the tracks were removed and this great trail took their place. - Blue River Parkway Trail
Location: Along the Blue River in south Kansas City, MO
Length: 12+ miles
Best For: Mountain bikers, horses, trail runners
Minor Park is the best known trailhead on this 12-plus-mile dirt trail. It is a good location for hikers, runners, bikes, horses and nature lovers. The trail mostly follows along both sides of the Blue River, but sections of it get into some pretty hilly and rocky terrain. - Indian Creek Bike Trail
Location: Overland Park, Olathe, Kansas City, MO
Length: 17 miles in Overland Park and more beyond
Best For: Families
This asphalt trail is great for bikes and dogs and stretches from East of Troost at Bannister Road on the Missouri side through Leawood City Park. It connects to the Tomahawk Creek Trail and runs south to 143rd and Pflumm Rd. or West to 159th and Ridgeview Rd. There are many parks and playgrounds along the way.
Have a favorite trail in the Kansas City area that isn't mentioned here? Add it in the comments section.
