Explore the best rated trails in Strong City, KS, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Sunflower Santa Fe Trail and Flint Hills Trail State Park . With more than 5 trails covering 129 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
As a local resident, I was thrilled to discover that the Flint Hills Trail runs directly through Herington and wanted to explore more of what’s described as one of Kansas’s most scenic long-distance trails. Unfortunately, the segment between Herington and Delavan feels forgotten — undermaintained, underpromoted, and in some areas, barely passable. There are no directional signs or kiosks marking the trailhead within Herington, and most residents I’ve spoken to don’t use the trail at all or frequently. Access can be found off N F Street near the edge of town (no public parking lot), but once you begin walking, it quickly becomes evident that this portion hasn’t received consistent upkeep in years. Grasses and brush are heavily overgrown along and across the path, sometimes reaching knee to waist height. Drainage is poor in spots, and the trail bottlenecks frequently due to barbed wire fencing and narrow rocky corridors, making it difficult to exit quickly if needed. There are no benches, bathrooms, safety features, or trail mileage indicators along this portion. I encountered no other hikers or riders — and very little sign that anyone else uses this stretch regularly. Most notably, on my most recent walk I observed over a dozen large scat piles spaced along a 1–1.5 mile stretch near the US-77 underpass, many of which appeared fresh (within 12 hours), contained hair, had a strong urine scent, and were significantly larger in diameter than what is typical of local coyotes or raccoons. There was also visible tree bark stripping nearby. I’ve submitted photos and a report to Kansas Wildlife & Parks out of an abundance of caution, as the signs could potentially indicate the presence of a large omnivore or predator (possibly a bobcat, bear, or mountain lion passing through). This section of trail has great potential and stunning views of Kansas prairie and farmland, but without basic upkeep, signage, or safety monitoring, it’s not suitable for families or casual walkers. I hope more attention is given to this western end of the trail so it can become a safe and welcoming community asset again.
The town of Council Grove has built a very attractive Riverwalk that is particularly well suited for low speed bike riding, walking, running, and dog walking. It’s scenic, well lit, and has easy access to restaurants and historical attractions. At the time of this review, Council Grove is the westernmost trailhead for the Flint Hill Trail.
This was a fun trail, safe and chill, but the steady hills are still challenging. I ended up taking the trail all the way to the north end of the lake, pretty area.
We went with some friends and kiddos. Perfect for toddlers and pushing an all terrain wagon. The benches and gazebo are nice. The kids loved waving at a passing train. We live only a few miles away. Will do this one often. It’s very well maintained. Although, it’s clear some people walk dogs and don’t clean up behind them. There was a lot of poop piles.