Find the top rated walking trails in Manhattan, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_199847_st.jpg)
It was a warm (82 degrees) March day with light winds when we rode from Osage City to Vassar and back, a total of 25 miles. We parked at the 5th Street trailhead in Osage City. Be sure to park on the north side of this little city park so that you have direct access to the wide, paved trail that takes you east. Bathrooms with flush toilets were available. Once out of town, the trail is wide (we rode two abreast) with a firm base and fine gravel. Sticks littered some areas of the trail. We picked up several goat head thorns but suffered no flats. This section of the trail mostly cuts through pasture and broke ground typical of the eastern edge of the Flint Hills. We enjoyed the scenery. The trailhead at Vassar offers only parking; there are no bathrooms, no water, no picnic tables, etc. Smoke from a number of prescribed burns was visible in the distance but none was near enough to the trail to affect us. This activity is something to be aware of in early spring; the smoke from one of these burns can be quite thick so you probably wouldn’t want ride through it. Overall, a great section of trail to ride; five stars!
Flint Hills Park Trail. It was a beautiful February day; 68 degrees! Started @ Orlis Cox Sports Complex in Ottawa. Rode to Pomona and back; 21 miles round trip. This section of the trail passes through farmland (broke ground) and treed areas, alternately. Some of the trail is next to an active rail line. One safety-engineered highway crossing. Well-maintained trail; kudos to the maintenance team. Wide trail; rode side-by-side, which we enjoy. Fine gravel surface. Some leaves and sticks on the trail in spots. Rail trail; no steep grades. Fantastic bridges; new, clean, wide, perfect surface! Trail head in Pomona had lots of parking and a unisex outhouse in excellent condition. To the people who rode bikes or horses on the trail when it was wet/soft - shame on you. In summary, a great ride; We will definitely ride this section again in the future! 5 stars.
The blazing star were blooming profusely! Lots of butterflies and dragonflies. The trail was in good shape from Council Grove to the Rock Creek Bridge.
The trail is in good shape from Council Grove to the Rick Creek Bridge. Blazing Star is profuse and there were lots of butterflies and dragonflies.
We started at Mile Zero and rode out 15 miles and rode back. The trail is beautiful and well maintained but also has a rustic feeling to it. Most parts were crushed limestone and some parts were bigger gravel rock. Be prepared for no restrooms or official rest areas on this segment. We will definitely ride this trail again!
I rode the entire trail in June 2025 from Osawatomie to Council Grove and back, detouring through Lyndon to avoid construction. I had planned to ride to Herrington, but found that section closed. I say don't advertise that it's 118 miles long until it is! (I see it was just inducted into the Conservancy Hall of Fame touting its 118 mile length.) I travel the country to do multi-day rides on rail trails over a 100 miles long. Came up short on this one.
That said, I had an excellent ride. Had no issues with trail surfaces. On all my rail trail tours, I like to support the local economy and found several good restaurant stops along the way. I highly recommend the ride. Just don't expect it to be 118 miles long.
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.
Rode from 53rd St. parking area to the end of the trail at Shawnee Heights Rd. Tree lined on both side the entire way, so the windy day wasn't bad at all. Surface is packed cinder type material, ranging from 4 bikes wide, to to double track, to only 3 feet wide. Trail was smooth, except for the deep horse hoof prints. High winds had done a number on limbs & debris on the trail, but once these are cleaned up the trail will be great. Good to see the trail in use by bikers and hikers. The volume of traffic was pleasant and not too busy. A couple of road crossings afforded poor site lines and short response times to competing traffic. Didn't encounter any loose dogs on the trail. Parking area is in good shape & in use by many trail users. We did not see any encampments in this section of the trail. Note: there are no restroom facilities or water available on this section of the trail and only one park bench in the entire route. Hope this gives you a good idea of the trails condition. It's a great ride!
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.
I rode an electric bike with 4" tires on three separate rides. All of them were about 10 miles out and back (in 2 days):
Council Grove heading East,
Allen heading West, and
Ottawa heading East.
I drove from Texas to ride them and they did not disappoint! I came for the solitude and the scenery. The western end was reminiscent of scenes from Dances With Wolves. The eastern end was more wooded and shaded. I hope to return to ride other parts too.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
