A Beginner’s Guide To Kansas City’s Best Hiking Trails | KCUR 89.3

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Earlier than the pandemic, on these intoxicatingly temperate days that occur a number of weekends a 12 months, my husband and I (and ultimately our child) would drop no matter else we would deliberate to go for an invigorating hike.

When March 2020 got here round, climbing turned an all-season, every-weekend exercise. It is what we do at any time when we want inspiration, nature remedy, a change of surroundings — in a phrase, always.

Because of this, we have tried out tons and plenty of new spots for exploring on foot, some inside metropolis limits, others day journey’s distance away.

For certain, the Kansas Metropolis space isn’t a serious climbing vacation spot. These aren’t the sorts of trails that folks journey lengthy distances to expertise — overlooking seaside cliffs, following mountain waterfalls amongst herds of majestic elk, winding round cacti contained in the Grand Canyon.

However Kansas and Missouri trails do provide easy pleasures, and a quiet magnificence that sneaks up on you. I do not count on them to wow me, however normally, they nonetheless do. They usually get higher with repeat visits. As soon as your ft know how, you’ll be able to actually take note of your environment, and that is when issues actually get enjoyable.

So with extra average fall climate hopefully on the horizon, here is a listing of a few of the greatest trails we have explored in and across the metropolis.

My recommendation: Simply decide a spot and go. In case you let your environment shock you, they may. Blissful climbing!

Fox Hole Path in Swope Park: 2 miles

Departing simply outdoors the Lakeside Nature Heart in Swope Park, Fox Hole Path is a brief hike that may be made simpler or more difficult as hikers see match. Steep downhill detours following by climbing again up on hefty rocks can add intrigue for individuals who really feel snug taking calculated dangers.

In any other case, this wooded path, dense with inexperienced foliage, is extra of a chlorophyll repair than a exercise. There’s one thing delightfully old-school concerning the hand-etched signal warning guests to look out for snakes (however actually: do look out for snakes).

Essentially the most satisfying second on this temporary journey comes about three-quarters of the way in which by the hike, when the path leads guests onto a flat rock formation overlooking treetops and passing trains.

Berkeley Riverfront Path: 2 miles

A decidedly city hike, this tour additionally provides an inspiring view of the Missouri River up shut — or, about as shut as you are more likely to get in Kansas Metropolis, with a few much less hospitable exceptions.

To entry the path from the Metropolis Market, stroll north on Most important Avenue so far as it goes; it’s going to ultimately give method to a picket pedestrian bridge main towards water. A staircase right down to Berkeley Riverfront Park has notches on it to measure flood ranges when the water rises.

The path follows the river, with a grassland performing as a buffer between you and the muddy torrents. Up forward, strolling east, you’ll be able to observe vestiges of trade, the Bond Bridge on the horizon as a pure place to double again on this stroll.

Berkeley Riverfront Path is only one section of the for much longer Riverfront Heritage Path, a worthwhile journey starting in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, and ending within the East Bottoms.

Parkville Nature Sanctuary: 3 miles

A nature protect on the sting of downtown Parkville, Missouri, the sanctuary incorporates a small community of trails that may be mixed to kind a 3-mile hike, or damaged up into brief restorative jaunts.

Previous Kate Path is the longest at 0.9 miles: It takes hikers on an unpaved wooded stroll to a waterfall, after which throughout mentioned waterfall towards a flatter, much less densely wooded path.

One of many shorter trails, Bluebird Path (0.3 miles), is ADA compliant. Close to the top of the path, a set of fallen tree trunks have been reworked into an imagination-fueled play space for youths.

Households dominate Parkville’s trails, which reveal their true splendor because the leaves change coloration in October.

Wyandotte County Lake Park: 9.2 miles

Come for the large oasis in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas. Keep for the paths. A few of them are used for horseback using, and include a excessive chance of horse-poop encounters, so test signage rigorously.

The Wyandotte County Lake Loop Path is a favourite, beginning at shelter 9. It is shaded and provides a rock-and-mud terrain greatest suited to critical runners and hikers looking for a problem. The 9.2-mile loop circles across the lake.

For the extra leisurely hiker who prefers to not tough it, Stotler Cove supplies a nature stroll surrounded by native crops and flowers. It may be accessed proper behind the F.L. Schlagle Environmental Library (positioned contained in the park). Your view of the lake right here is beautiful; butterflies and birds abound.

Indicators alongside the way in which flip the path right into a “Storywalk” for youths, offering prompts and video games to carry their curiosity as they go. A hidden treasure for all ages.

Mill Creek Park Streamway Loop By way of Shawnee Mission Park: 7.4 miles

A paved path large sufficient to accommodate each hikers and bikers, the Mill Creek Park Streamway — spanning, in its entirety, the cities of Lenexa, Olathe, and Shawnee — features a loop that departs from Shawnee Mission Park. It is a fantastic alternative for teams with totally different exercise preferences and talent ranges.

In case you park alongside the north aspect of Shawnee Mission Park Lake (close to shelter 6), you’ll be able to entry this path by heading west simply previous the lake. In case you move a reservoir, you are headed in the best path. On the backside of the hill, the path splits, marking the start and finish of a loop.

For a suburban park path, this one supplies surprisingly diverse surroundings: open expanses, wooded areas, streams and bridges. Including to its allure is the not-so-distant sound of passing trains. Plus, there’s loads to do elsewhere within the park for those who’re seeking to get out for a complete day.

Bethany Falls and Hickory Grove Trails at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Space: 4.6 miles

Positioned in Blue Springs, Missouri, a visit to Burr Oak Woods Conservation Space appears like arriving in an enormous, outdoorsy dreamworld that you simply enter from a strip mall-flanked freeway.

When climbing the related Bethany Falls and Hickory Grove trails, your solely reminder of close by suburbs is the sound of whirring vehicles, which you normally cannot even hear over chattering wildlife.

This isn’t only a great place for a bucolic hike, but in addition a vacation spot for foragers looking for native edibles like paw-paws and mushrooms. Foraging is authorized right here, and the Missouri Division of Conservation places out useful literature price trying out earlier than loading up on nature’s bounty.

Alongside the paths you will additionally discover large rock formations large enough to scale — a formidable visible even for these of us who err on the aspect of warning.

Weston Bend State Park Paved Bicycle Path: 2.8 miles

Of the numerous worthy trails at Weston Bend State Park — positioned simply outdoors of downtown Weston — this one made for bicyclists is extremely in style amongst hikers (who’re way more quite a few than bikers right here).

A lush tree cover covers the paved loop, and clearly marked detours level the way in which to scenic overlooks past the comb. This can be a hilly path with steep inclines, making it difficult sufficient for grownup hikers, however sufficiently kid-friendly for little ones with some earlier climbing expertise.

As a result of Weston Bend’s path is paved, it is also nice for strollers. Benches can be found for resting at common intervals.

Earlier than you allow the park, it is positively price taking a aspect journey to the Lewis and Clark overlook — it is mainly a treehouse within the woods jutting out over the Missouri River from excessive within the bluffs (not nice for those who’re afraid of heights, however in any other case wonderful).

Sanders Mound Path at Clinton Lake: 1.2 miles

This simple hike simply outdoors of Lawrence, Kansas, is breathtaking in each season. The vast majority of this prairie path is paved, with nice expanses of tall grass and wild flowers on both aspect.

The trail turns to grime or mud (relying on the climate) for the brief ascent of Sanders Mound, a hill simply barely tall sufficient to present hikers the satisfaction of reaching a summit.

Extra adventurous hikers could select to proceed previous Sanders Mound to the water, however the path turns into fairly rustic at that juncture: select footwear correctly, carry a stick with clear away brush, and preserve a watch out for snakes. You will be rewarded with a peaceable waterside picnic spot on the opposite aspect — and it is nice for skipping stones, too.

Wallace State Park Deer Run and Skunk Hole Trails: 2.9 miles / 1.2 miles

This distant park in Cameron, Missouri, is a delightfully low-key place to spend a day, with households stress-free on garden chairs and blankets round a giant fishing pond. 4 climbing trails depart simply steps away, however nonetheless really feel extremely secluded.

I like to recommend these two, particularly, which movement pretty seamlessly into each other. The Deer Run path crosses streams and Skunk Hole guides hikers down into creek beds to be serenaded by frogs.

These trails are unpaved and sometimes muddy, so costume accordingly.

KATY Path east from Rocheport, Missouri: Distance variable

Initially leveled for trains, this path is now a steady climbing and biking path, and the Rocheport stretch — beginning simply outdoors Columbia — is especially lovely. With limestone bluffs on one aspect and the Missouri River transferring swiftly alongside the opposite, this spot provides a real change of surroundings.

If stopping by a Missouri vineyard is your velocity, you’ll be able to veer off the principle path towards Les Bourgeois, then head proper again at your leisure. The eastward KATY Path continues all the way in which to St. Louis, so you may make this outing as lengthy or brief as you want.

Or for those who head west from the trailhead at Rocheport, the principle attraction is an old-timey prepare tunnel with cool acoustics. However positively preserve your focus east.

Tallgrass Nationwide Prairie Protect Again-Nation Mountain climbing Trails: 3.8 – 13 miles

Had been you enticed right here by guarantees of “center of nowhere,” solely to seek out cities and suburbs taking on an terrible lot of house? Treatment that by going for a hike within the Tallgrass Nationwide Prairie Protect, operated by the Nationwide Parks Service and guarded by the Kansas Nature Conservancy.

Forty miles of trails wind across the Flint Hills. On this place devoted to the restoration of the prairie, low hills lined in waving grass stretch out so far as the attention can see, with an unbroken horizon line undulating towards an equally immense sky. Seeing an image would not do it justice; to stroll within the Flint Hills is a religious expertise.

Bonus: The Kansas Nature Conservancy has been repopulating the world with bison, and guests usually luck into recognizing one among these majestic creatures. It is a sight to behold.

Have extra trails in thoughts? Ship your solutions to develop this listing to gina@kcur.org.