Find the top rated running trails in Manhattan, 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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Rode on an unseasonably cool and overcast July day. Trail is in excellent condition. We rode our street bikes. This section is doable for the casual rider and for families. Take water, there are no services. Beautiful ride through the flint hills. Bushong is the high point in this section.
We had a good day on the trail in May. Saw deer, garter snakes, and redwing blackbirds. Love their song! Just wish there was a restroom facility at the Jayhawk Trailhead.
Did a 25 mile out and back east of Council Grove. Overall good condition with a little loose stone. Quiet ride with beautiful views of the working and natural landscape.
Loved this trail. We made it from the start to south of Berryton. It's mostly tree shaded and really pretty; very peaceful, especially after you leave city limits. Concrete for a long while -- great for skating; then crushed stone -- some pitted parts here and there but mostly nice and smooth.
This trail has lots of shade trees which is perfect on hot sunny days! Great distance for a group to bike. Scenic and well marked! Will bike there again !
I regularly do 40-50 on this trail. The best part is from Admire to Council Grove, both in terms of scenery and trail conditions. East of Admire has a lot of ballast that will slow you down. If you like solitude and scenery, it's the best trail in KS. If you like amenities, not so much. As for thorns, I use tire liners and have never had a single flat.
My son and I did an overnight leaving from Council Grove, camping at Vassar State Park and back to CG the next day. We had excellent weather and plenty of time to accomplish the 50+ miles in each direction. My bike handled the rough terrain well but my son's tires did not like the many thorns. We exhausted his extra tire and my 6 pack of patches. We even broke into my air mattress repair kit. Either go tubeless or make sure your tires can take a beating. Some very rough patches and THORNS! That aside - beautiful landscape and scenery! Say "hi" to the cows! Also, Vassar State Park is a beautiful camping area. Friendly people, too. Also, stop off in Allen and talk to Paul who runs the auto shop - super friendly and will sell you a coke for 50 cents. You can fill up on his free water, too. Stay a spell and let him tell you about his town. You won't be sorry.
We're in our 60s and look for trails where we can park our car safely, bike 20-40 miles to a place where we can stay comfortably, then return the next day. The Blue River Trail, in combination with the Chief Standing Bear Trail of Nebraska gave us such an experience, one way distance of about 38 miles. (See our review of that trail also.) We elected to start in Marysville KS on a warm summer day, and go to the end of Standing Bear trail in Beatrice NE. Both cities have nice variety of services for the tourist. Blue River trail has excellent surface conditions, good vegetation control, safe bridges, mileage markers and minimal inclines. The Blue River Trail passes through a nice variety of open space and deep shade, but has no water/restrooms, or towns for services on the way. There are limited services on the Chief Standing Bear Trail after you get into Nebraska. Good wildflower and wildlife trail, bring plenty of water and hats/sunscreen.
Love to go out on this trail and just ride! plenty long for walks or bike rides. Really neat that it hits the Kansas/Nebraska border!
I got on the trail where it intersects 89th street. There is not a really good place to park. I ran toward Topeka and crossed several roads that had better spots to park.
The website for the Rails to Trails says the part that head south was closed to public, but it looks like it is now open.
I ran a short out and back--getting on the trail near 7th and Lincoln in Ottawa. It was a bit muddy in a few places, but otherwise not too bad. They had just replaced one of the bridges and looked like they were going to add side rails. I crossed two other bridges with no sides. The portion I was on looked like it might have some shade in the summer.
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