Central City, NE Running Trails and Maps

33 Reviews

Looking for the best Running trails around Central City?

Find the top rated running trails in Central City, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
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19 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Dark Island Trail

8.4 mi
State: NE
Crushed Stone

Great American Rail-Trail

3743.9 mi
State: DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Pawnee Park Trail

2 mi
State: NE
Concrete

Pioneer Spirit Trail

11.2 mi
State: NE
Concrete

Riverway Trail

4.5 mi
State: NE
Concrete, Crushed Stone

Shoemaker Trail

1.9 mi
State: NE
Concrete

Dannebrog Trail

3 mi
State: NE
Concrete, Woodchips

Wilderness Park Trail

1.5 mi
State: NE
Concrete

Two Lakes Trail

2.4 mi
State: NE
Concrete

Bob Lake Trail

1.3 mi
State: NE
Crushed Stone

Discoverer Trail

1.1 mi
State: NE
Concrete

John Brownell Trail (Beltline Trail)

2.72 mi
State: NE
Asphalt

Monastery Trail

1.5 mi
State: NE
Concrete

Plum Creek Trail

2.7 mi
State: NE
Concrete

Robert White Trail

1.5 mi
State: NE
Crushed Stone

South Locust Street Trail

0.7 mi
State: NE
Concrete

St. Joe Trail

2.91 mi
State: NE
Asphalt

State Street Trail

0.9 mi
State: NE
Concrete

Third Avenue Viaduct Trail

0.8 mi
State: NE
Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Traversing just over 8 miles in central Nebraska, the Dark Island Trail runs from the small town of Central City to the even smaller village of Marquette. For those experiencing the trail by bike,...
NE 8.4 mi Crushed Stone
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY 3743.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Pawnee Park, is tucked into southwest Columbus. The park straddles both sides of Lincoln Highway (US 81/ US 30), and is bordered by Loup River. The trail runs the length of the park, starting on 6th...
NE 2 mi Concrete
The Pioneer Spirit Trail zigzags across Hastings, Neb. The concrete trail weaves through parks, whisks by schools and homes and past business, making this trail suitable for not just recreation but...
NE 11.2 mi Concrete
Starting at the George Clayton Hall County Park, The Riverway Trail is a straight and flat 4-mile trail, traveling east towards the Platte River. Aside from crossing four intersections, the path is...
NE 4.5 mi Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Shoemaker Trail gets its name from Shoemaker Elementary School where the path begins. Travelling north and passing Westridge Middle School, it connects with the State Street Trail, creating nearly...
NE 1.9 mi Concrete
The first mile of the Dannebrog Trail, which completely encircles the town known as the Danish Capital of Nebraska, was paved in late September 1993. The trail runs along and around an abandoned Union...
NE 3 mi Concrete, Woodchips
The Wilderness Park Trail offers a convenient, paved route past the popular 42-acre Wilderness Park Soccer Complex with its ten regulation-size fields. The trail is 1.5 miles, but connects with the...
NE 1.5 mi Concrete
The scenic Two Lakes Trail runs for 2.4 miles between where 48th Avenue crosses the Loup Canal, and the start of the Bob Lake Trail, and Lakeview Road at 18th Avenue. The trail follows the northern...
NE 2.4 mi Concrete
The Bob Lake Trail runs for 1.3 miles between 48th Avenue and the start of the Robert White Trail where the trails converge near 65th Street. The trail follows the southwest shore of Lake Babcock,...
NE 1.3 mi Crushed Stone
The Discoverer Trail is part of the Columbus Area Recreational Area Trails network, in Columbus, Nebraska. Coming in at just under a mile, this trail tracks a U-shaped course. It starts on 41st Avenue...
NE 1.1 mi Concrete
The John Brownell Trail, also known as the Beltline Trail, runs for nearly 2.75 miles through residential neighborhoods on an abandoned rail corridor in Grand Island, Nebraska. The trail provides...
NE 2.72 mi Asphalt
The Monastery Trail is a mile and half along 18th Ave/ Monastery Road in Columbus, Nebraska. The trail is an important link in the the city's trail network, known as Columbus Area Recreational Trails...
NE 1.5 mi Concrete
Located on the eastern side of Seward, Nebraska, the Plum Creek Trail runs for nearly 3 miles through open fields and dense woodland. As its name suggests, the trail follows the course of Plum Creek...
NE 2.7 mi Concrete
The Robert White Trail runs for 1.5 miles between the start of the Bob Lake Trail, where the trails converge near 65th Street, and 18th Avenue/Monastery Road. There is no shade. The trail follows the...
NE 1.5 mi Crushed Stone
The South Locust Street Trail acts like a spur off of the the Riverway Trail. It travels north for a little over a half mile towards Rt. 34. Walmart and Denny's are nearby which makes it a convenient...
NE 0.7 mi Concrete
The St. Joe Trail in Grand Island, Nebraska, runs for nearly 3 miles from its connection with the John Brownell Trail at Ada Street to its southern endpoint at George Clayton Hall County Park. For...
NE 2.91 mi Asphalt
The State Street Trail is just under a mile and located northwest in Grand Island. The trail goes east, crossing over Highway 2. It is also connected to the Shoemaker Trail which creates a total...
NE 0.9 mi Concrete
The Third Avenue viaduct was an infrastructure project decades in the making. Before that, travelers had to cross the tangle of Union Pacific tracks at street level. The upgrade, which opened in...
NE 0.8 mi Concrete

Recent Trail Reviews

Great American Rail-Trail

Warden to Lind

April, 2025 by howmarplus3

Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.

Great American Rail-Trail

such a beautiful trail!

October, 2024 by sherryschie

We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!

Great American Rail-Trail

West bound from Ellensburg. August 2024

August, 2024 by tastesbadtobears

We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.

Accordion

Dark Island Trail

Dark Island Trail - Central City Nebraska -Memorial Day weekend 2023

May, 2023 by judykjensen

The first 4 miles of the trail going south from Central City is really nice. The long bridge over the Platte allows for excellent viewing of the river. The tree lined canopy traveling farther along was very pretty. Once riders cross HWY 14 and proceed on towards Marquette, the trail became increasing difficult to ride even with medium width bike tires. The trail surface of powdery fly ash was deep. It also appeared that new limestone/crushed rock gravel had recently been added to the trail but not graded, thus making it too difficult to continue riding. Perhaps fat tire bikes would be able to traverse this section but definitely not road or hybrid tire bikes. A very peaceful and pastoral trail to ride, but unfortunately the final 3 or so miles is too hard to really bike. Nice restroom facilities and picnic area at the trailhead in Central City.

Great American Rail-Trail

Great Allegheny Trail southeast of Pittsburgh?

April, 2023 by eshawger

Surprised to see this amazing trail that has great bed and breakfasts along it is not noted as part of the Great American Rail Trail. It sure would help demonstrate more GART completion if it was.

Pawnee Park Trail

Great Park trail - Good connection toward downtown Columbus

March, 2023 by joelripke

The Pawnee Park trail is a good quality concrete trail in Pawnee Park. It connects through the park with many rest, relaxation, and recreation opportunities.

The east terminus of the trail is at 26th avenue, a short little walk, run, or bike into downtown Columbus!

Great American Rail-Trail

A nice ride. The hub is a good place to start.

August, 2022 by jodieo1

A nice ride. The hub is a good place to start.

Great American Rail-Trail

so good

July, 2022 by fear2321

We took electric scooters and did 16miles of this trail was so beautiful seen 6 deer 5 turkeys will glad go back and explore more

Dark Island Trail

Excellent biking/running trail

July, 2021 by boeding7_tl

Surface is well maintained for the entire length of the trail, no loose piled gravel. Rode morning after thunderstorms, surface absorbed the moisture well. Encountered cross country runners and other bikers on the trail. Bader Bridge is a marvel!

Riverway Trail

beautiful and interesting

June, 2021 by fletchercham61

We parked near the Stuhr Museum and took off away from the museum, planning to bike while it was still cool and then visit the fabulous place. It was not well marked but easy for the most part to follow. It was really fun with the tall grasses. We were on a paved pathway for quite a while on a file and then the trail just stopped. We went further riding on gravel and in the grass but decided to head back to the museum. Make time to visit the museum. It’s really great.

Shoemaker Trail

Safe and well maintained

June, 2021 by dsglunz64

There is lots of maintained green space, only a short block parallels busy road. Several benches if needing a break. Easily accessible parking at nearby churches and schools. At crosswalk, my dog and I waited but the traffic stopped and allowed us to pass!

Pioneer Spirit Trail

Wide, new concrete.

April, 2021 by gary.pslmer3

Read somewhere that Hastings rcvd a Green Town award. The Pioneer Spirit is a linked set of trails, mostly quiet enough to hear the birds. Runs by a college and at least three parks. Then on into town. I also rode a new segment from my hotel out into cornfield territory, where the sky is enormous!

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