Find the top rated running trails in Merriam, 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.
Trail Image | Trail Name | States | Length | Surface | Rating |
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The four disconnected sections of the 133rd Street Path run though the communities of Olathe, Overland Park and Leawood outside Kansas City. The trail parallels sections of 133rd and 132nd Streets,...
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KS | 7 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Blue River Parkway Trail winds along both banks of its namesake river on the southern outskirts of Kansas City. The paved route begins in Minor Park and heads north, passing Alex George Lake and...
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MO | 4.1 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Burroughs Creek Trail and Linear Park runs from 11th to 23rd streets along an abandoned rail corridor just west of Haskell Avenue in Lawrence, Kansas. The trail was made possible through the work...
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KS | 1.7 mi | Concrete |
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Cedar Niles Park occupies over 950-acres of mixed woodland, streams and wildflowers in Johnson County, Kansas. The park features bike and walking trails to appeal to a variety of tastes. There are...
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KS | 4 mi | Asphalt |
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Pedestrians and cyclists alike can take advantage of these 3.4 miles of smooth asphalt trail for exercise in a calm outdoor setting. The trail sits within a greenway along Coffee Creek and winds...
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KS | 3.4 mi | Asphalt |
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The Gardner Greenway Corridor is a paved trail connecting Winwood Park and Brookside Park in Gardner, Kansas. The trail runs through open space alongside dense woodlands within the two parks. The...
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KS | 1.6 mi | Asphalt |
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The Gary L. Haller Trail lies within scenic Mill Creek Streamway Park. Although the trail was not built on a former railroad, it parallels an active rail line for about 6 miles of its length at its...
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KS | 13.8 mi | Asphalt |
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The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway- South Atchison Trail is a 1.5-mile concrete recreation path along the iconic road as it cuts through the southern half of Atchison. The trail parallels the byway/US-75...
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KS | 1.5 mi | Concrete |
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The Haskell Rail-Trail, billed as the ‘first operational rail-trail in Kansas’, spans the eastern edge of the campus of Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence. In the north, the trail connects...
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KS | 0.78 mi | Concrete |
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The Indian Creek Bike/Hike Trail links two states, four communities and a multitude of parks along Indian Creek. The trail provides numerous connections to the surrounding areas, making it an...
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KS, MO | 26 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Kill Creek Streamway Trail exists in 2 segments: the northern segment begins near Lexington Avenue in De Sort and winds south of 95th along Kill Creek. The southern segment picks up in Kill Creek...
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KS | 7 mi | Asphalt |
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Lake Shawnee opened in 1939 as a project of the Works Progress Administration and has been providing the residents and visitors of Topeka with a host of recreational opportunities since that time. A...
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KS | 6.6 mi | Concrete |
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When complete, the Landon Trail will follow a 40-mile corridor of the former Missouri Pacific Railroad, running between Topeka and an intersection with the 117-mile Flint Hills Nature Trail west of...
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KS | 24 mi | Concrete, Crushed Stone |
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Located along the north bank of the Kansas River, the Lawrence Levee Trail runs along the top of the flood-control levee on the outskirts of Lawrence. The trail offers views of nearby farmland and the...
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KS | 9.3 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Inside of Lee's Summit's Community Park, the Legacy Park Trail is a family oriented destination with an abundance of activities available. Sitting on 692 acres, the park host many youth sports games,...
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MO | 5.6 mi | Asphalt |
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The Line Creek Trail is about all you can ask for as a trail lover. This beautifully paved 8-mile trail winds serenely through Platte County and has a little bit of everything for everyone. Traveling...
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MO | 8.4 mi | Concrete |
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Located outside of bustling Kansas City, this beautiful, partially paved, 17.5-mile riverside pathway is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Unlike many of the rural trails that you find in...
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MO | 17.5 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The Little Mill Creek Trail offers a pleasant, woodsy route through Lenexa, about 14 miles southwest of Kansas City. The trail begins at Blackfish Parkway (along which you can hop on the Blackfish...
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KS | 4.1 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Maurer Road Path parallels its namesake roadway for just over a mile in the city of Shawnee on the outskirts of Kansas City. The north-south route connects residential and shopping areas and, at its...
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KS | 1.6 mi | Concrete |
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The MoPac Trail begins in Pleasant Hill's charming downtown area and heads northwest towards Pleasant Hill Lake and the outskirts of Kansas City. The rail-trail is named for the former Missouri...
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MO | 3 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Nestled within the suburban landscape outside Platte City, the Prairie Creek Greenway offers an escape into nature as it runs through fields and forests and across the titular creek. The trail gives...
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MO | 6.75 mi | Asphalt |
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Spanning 51 miles, the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park runs from Ottawa to Iola, offering plenty of recreation and enjoyment for birdwatchers, cyclists, walkers, joggers and anyone with a desire to...
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KS | 51.3 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The Rock Island Spur of Katy Trail State Park totals just over 52 miles (in two disconnected sections) through woodlands, wetlands, and bucolic fields nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks. The trail...
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MO | 59.6 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Although short, the Route 152 Trail is an important connector in Kansas City. The paved pathway begins at 88th and Madison and intersects with the Line Creek Trail as it heads west, paralleling its...
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MO | 4.8 mi | Concrete |
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The S. Lawrence Trafficway Trail loosely follows the S. Lawrence Trafficway—also known as State Route 10—on the outskirts of the city of Lawrence. The trail passes by new residential developments,...
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KS | 11.6 mi | Concrete |
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Situated within Shawnee Mission Park in Lenexa, the SMP Paved Trail offers a pleasant way for park visitors to experience the surrounding beauty without their car. The trail provides access to many of...
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KS | 2 mi | Asphalt |
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The Southern Platte Trail is a hard surface, shared use path in the Kansas City metro area, Missouri. The trail begins in the City of Parkville, and then sandwiches SR 45 as it heads east into Kansas...
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MO | 6.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Tomahawk Creek Trail follows its namesake waterway through the Kansas City suburbs of Overland Park and Leawood. The trail provides access for the thousands of nearby residents to a number of...
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KS | 12.7 mi | Asphalt |
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Paralleling Turkey Creek from the Waterfall Park north of Kansas City for nearly four miles south to downtown Kansas City, the Turkey Creek Streamway Trail provides useful connections to a number of...
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KS | 3.65 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Urban Trail system in St. Joseph is a suburban jewel, with lush, green scenery along most of its route. The system branches off in several directions, offering a number of customizable routes for...
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MO | 15.8 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Watkins Mill State Park, located on the outskirts of Kansas City, is a forested area featuring a 100-acre lake. Here, whitetail deer, wild turkeys and other birds and wildlife are abundant. A walking...
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MO | 3.8 mi | Asphalt |
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As you might imagine, the 151st Street Path is a sidepath along 151st Street though Olathe and Overland Park outside Kansas City. The path provides access to commercial centers, schools, parks,...
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KS | 7.5 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Closures: The trail section from the Western Terminus in Herrington to Council Grove (roughly 25 miles) is currently closed.
A section of the trail in Osage City is closed as well. It is possible...
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KS | 118 mi | Ballast, Crushed Stone |
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This multiuse trail invites lake visitors to walk, run or ride along Longview Lake. The reservoir was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers for the triple purposes of flood control, conservation...
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MO | 6.5 mi | Concrete, Crushed Stone |
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Although short, this paved half-mile trail provides connections to three parks, as well as a unique attraction in northern Independence. On the northern end of the trail sits Mill Creek Park, which...
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MO | 0.5 mi | Asphalt |
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Note: The eastern third of the trail, from the access point at Horizons Parkway to the end of the trail, is currently closed (as of June 2016) due to bridge construction. Check the City of Riverside's...
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MO | 3.4 mi | Asphalt, Gravel |
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The Riverfront Heritage Trail is located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. This downtown trail showcases the city’s heritage, as well as its continuously redeveloping downtown areas. The trail...
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KS, MO | 8.6 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Center Street Trail is little more than a sidepath paralleling N. Center Street in the community of Gardner. The trail provides recreation and transportation opportunities to the residents of...
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KS | 0.5 mi | Concrete |
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The Gardner Road Trail parallels S. Gardner Road on the southern side of Gardner, Kansas. The sidepath travels through a low density suburban community and connects residences with parks and religious...
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KS | 1.3 mi | Asphalt |
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Note: A portion of the trail between Troost and Woodland Avenues has been closed since 2012 due to the presence of a small sinkhole. Trail users should take 85th Street as a detour. Refer to the...
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MO | 6 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Running half a mile along the creek of the same name, the Jumping Branch Trail is a multipurpose recreational trail in the heart of Riverside, Missouri. The trail allows residents in the neighborhoods...
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MO | 0.5 mi | Concrete |
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Paralleling W. Madison Street, the Madison Street Trail is a sidepath that provides access between nearby residences and public facilities. Gardner Edgerton High School is located near the western end...
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KS | 1 mi | Asphalt |
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Winding nearly two miles through suburban Olathe, the Mahaffie Creek Trail offers connections to the beautiful Mill Creek Streamway Park, schools and the city's northern neighborhoods. Much of the...
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KS | 1.7 mi | Asphalt |
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Though it exists in three disconnected sections, the Prairie Star Parkway Path is an excellent resource for the western side of the suburban community of Lenexa. The asphalt trail is a sidepath to the...
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KS | 4.7 mi | Asphalt |
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The Rolling Ridge Trail winds through the city of Olathe on the southwestern outskirts of Kansas City. At its northern end, the paved route provides access to Prairie Center Park, a 75-acre...
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KS | 2.3 mi | Asphalt |
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Running from the small town of Weston to the nearby Weston Bend State Park, the Weston Bluffs Trail provides a safe and scenic means for park visitors to visit the quaint town, and for town residents...
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MO | 3.25 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The Rock Creek Trail links Country Club Park and Rotary Park on the west side of Independence. It offers nice views of the tree-lined creek that it follows and crosses several times. Between the...
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MO | 1.5 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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This is a shared use path that runs alongside a major north-south conduit through Blue Springs, Missouri. The trail is a hearty 5.7 miles from end-to-end. The trail is a mix of concrete and asphalt...
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MO | 5.7 mi | Asphalt |
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The Nall Avenue Path is a paved sidepath along Nall Avenue, its namesake. The path offers connections to the residents of the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, providing access to apartments,...
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KS | 3.7 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Shawnee Mission Parkway Trail runs for 2 miles along the south side of the roadway. While not scenic, the paved route offers connections to restaurants, shops, and offices in Merriam, a...
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KS | 2 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The 143rd Street Path is a sidepath along W. 143rd Street in Overland Park. The trail offers access to the surrounding residential communities as well as nearby schools, religious faclities and...
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KS | 4.2 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The 159th Street Path unsurprisingly parallels W. 159th St. in Olathe. The trail provides access to commercial, industrial and residential facilities, as well as Chisholm Trail Middle School and the...
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KS | 3 mi | Concrete |
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As a side path to a busy thoroughfare, the 20th Street Trafficway Path provides both an excellent recreational opportunity for the surrounding communities and a safe commuting alternative for...
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KS | 3.2 mi | Concrete |
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The 6th Street Path runs along W. 6th Street—also signed as US 40—in Lawrence. The side path provides safe access to residential and commercial facilities along the busy road. At its western end, the...
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KS | 2 mi | Concrete |
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Although only a mile long, the 79th Street Path connects important recreational amenities in Lenexa, a southwestern suburb of Kansas City. The paved, east-west route parallels its namesake roadway...
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KS | 1 mi | Asphalt |
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The 95th Street Path is a paved, half-mile route through Lenexa, part of the Kansas City metro area. The trail is separated from the roadway by a wide grassy median and is surrounded by residences on...
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KS | 0.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Armourdale Levee Trail offers an unpaved route (hybrids or mountain bikes are recommended) of just over a mile through Kansas City, Kansas, along a Kansas River levee. Opening in 2014, the trail...
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KS | 1.3 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Paralleling Blackbob Road through the community of Olathe, just outside of Kansas City, the Blackbob Road Trail is a great opportunity for local trail users. The path connects nearby homes to schools,...
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KS | 4 mi | Concrete |
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Blackfish Parkway Trail lies in the southwestern corner of Shawnee, a suburb of Kansas City. Although the trail follows a major roadway, much of the route is lined with mature trees and nice homes....
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KS | 1.5 mi | Concrete |
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The Brush Creek Trail offers a serene and scenic walking and biking experience in southeast Kansas City. The concrete greenway occupies both the north and south banks of Brush Creek, which was...
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MO | 2 mi | Concrete |
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The Clinton Parkway Trail parallels Clinton Parkway on the southwest side of Lawrence, Kansas. The trail provides access for nearby residents to a number of community facilities and commercial...
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KS | 4 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Eastbrooke Trail forms a useful link between the city of Olathe's 133rd Street Path and the lengthy regional backbone, the Indian Creek Bike/Hike Trail. This paved, short trail serves as a nice...
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KS | 1.9 mi | Asphalt |
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This is a shared use path adjacent to one of Kansas City's major east-west conduits. The concrete path sits on the wide grassy verge of the boulevard, which is named for a former mayor.
On the...
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MO | 1.8 mi | Concrete |
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Not to be confused with the nearby unpaved Haskell Rail Trail, this shared-use path runs along the west side of Haskell Avenue. The trail picks up from the S. Lawrence Trafficway Trail and heads north...
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KS | 0.8 mi | Concrete |
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The Highline Trail is only 0.7 miles, running from State Route YY southwest to Main Street. This short and easy walk, ride or roll was built on a former railroad bed, likely that of the Frisco...
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MO | 0.72 mi | Asphalt |
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This gravel hike-and-bike trail sits atop the levy that runs along Independence Creek. At its northern end, the trail is connected to the Lewis and Clark Independence Creek Historic Site by a...
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KS | 2.3 mi | Gravel |
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Though only half a mile long, the Interurban Trail preserves an important piece of Riverside's history. The paved trail sits in the old grade of the Kansas City to St. Joseph Interurban, a high-speed...
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MO | 0.5 mi | Asphalt |
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Lackman Road Path begins across from Swarner Park, where you'll find a number of recreational amenities, including sports fields, a playground, fishing pond, and skate park. From there, you head south...
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KS | 1.5 mi | Concrete |
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The Linear Trail is a mile long trail which travels between Riverside and Briarcliff in Missouri. The trail provides a natural escape, shrouded in trees cover as it travels parallel to Platte Drive....
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MO | 1.1 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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Located in Shawnee, a suburb of Kansas City, the Midland Drive Path offers a paved mile-long east-west route paralleling the southern side of its namesake roadway through the city. Views are a mix of...
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KS | 1 mi | Concrete |
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The Monticello Road Path offers a paved north-south route through Shawnee on the western outskirts of Kansas City. It connects shopping areas, housing subdivisions and schools.
At the north end of...
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KS | 1.4 mi | Concrete |
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The Northpointe Trail is a .21 mile asphalt path that runs alongside Peculiar Drive from 213th St almost to 211th St. Trees line the non-road side of the trail and shelter it from the few buildings it...
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MO | 0.21 mi | Asphalt |
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Running parallel to Northwood Road is a 10-foot asphalt hike and bike path. The trail travels between residential developments on the northwest side of Riverside, Missouri, well-placed for an easy...
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MO | 1 mi | Asphalt |
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The Olathe Heritage Trail provides an off-road connection between two popular local parks, making this a surprisingly useful and rather scenic trail considering its length and suburban...
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KS | 2.3 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete |
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Rock Creek Trail is a multi-use path running west-east across Mission, Kansas. The concrete multi-use path invites to residents to travel from their homes to shopping and recreation destinations...
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KS | 1.65 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Switzer Road Trail parallels Switzer Road in Overland Park. The sidepath connects to the 133rd Street Path, 143rd Street Path, 151st Street Path and Tomahawk Creek Trail, making it an important...
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KS | 2.5 mi | Asphalt |
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Passing through the suburban community of Olathe, the W. Santa Fe Street Path is a sidepath that parallels W. Santa Fe Street. The path connects residential neighborhoods, commercial centers,...
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KS | 2.3 mi | Concrete |
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Previously a top tier trail. Unfortunately has been overrun with either inattentive pedestrians/dog walkers or Tour de France "wannabes".
If you start where the north east end of the trail is at ballys casino you will find A wide concrete trail with signage and benches. However, 1/10 of a mile end of the trail it’s all blocked off for construction of a stadium and a motel no way around. Back to the vehicle load up the bike and go to the next place you can get on. Ride for 1/4 mile stop for six flights of stairs. Fortunately, there is an elevator for bikers. However, at the top of the elevator, you’re right across a wooden bridge and it dumps you into a commercial industrial area With no signage or sign of a trail. This trail could be awesome but as it is, it sucks. that is totally lacking in a trail and any signage. I rode around for a half an hour in the industrial area, trying to find any sign of the trail. Finally, I gave up and turned around and wrote back. This trailer could be awesome
We enjoyed our first ride on this trail. Not a lot of people and went through pretty scenery. We went on the south route from the trailhead which was a slight climb and then north by road and found trail coming back though this app doesn’t show the connection. The north route is fairly hilly.
This trail is right off of our neighborhood and has easy access to Gary haller trail. Wide enough for people walking dogs and bicycles to go by. Only issue is the pet waste station is on prairie star and ridge view, which is far down from the folks who live west of there. Would be nice if the city could add another one in closer to woodland rd to help with all the pet waste that isn’t picked up.
Lots of short ups and downs on this trail. Trail was in good condition but not very scenic overall. The part where you have to ride on the sidewalk to go from one section of the trail to another was really bad in so much as it is single file only which is tricky if riders are coming from other direction.
If you have a history of riding the actual KATY trail the newer Rock Island Spur may disappoint you a bit. There is not as much to see and do and long stretches without services. But the trail itself is similar with well maintained surface. If you are looking to put miles on your bike for a few days from the Kansas City area to St. Louis area this provides the trail to do so.
I'm a beginer-ish biker and tend to enjoy paths that have a mix of shade and hills that aren't too intimidating. We started at Waterfall Park on the north side and went about 2 miles down and 2 miles back. This this one didn't have any hills that I even remotely made me consider getting off my bike to walk so that was really great. I think if I did this one semi regularly I'd definitely be able to gain more confidence! My new favorite!
We've enjoyed living a stone's throw from a relatively quiet section of Indian Creek's Hike/Bike (not just Bike) Trail for over 20 years. It used to be safe for walks, jogs and bicycling. Over the past few years, bicyclists seem to be increasingly assuming it's solely for their preferred use. They do not observe even basic courtesies (including yelling obscenities as they speed by, belatedly declaring "right of way"). Collisions and injuries are increasing. I respectfully suggest: there are more appropriate places to train for your upcoming "Tour de Suburbs", complete with aerodynamic outfits (eyeroll) that bely any pretense you're responsibly sharing a multi-use community area.
Watch out for motorized bikes and scooters! Most do not give warning to their passing. Many are higher powered "electric" "battery" operated and exceed a 5 mph speed without warning. Pedestrians and dogs are at risk. Also many of Waldo area homeless stay along the trail. Quite the sight to see!
Nice, level, well kept trail of small crushed gravel and about half sun & half shade. We rode from Ottawa 13 miles to Richmond and then back. There are restrooms & water fountains in Princeton & Richmond along with picnic tables & parking as well as a few benches at spots along the trail. We basically had the trail to ourselves, early on as we headed out we saw a couple of cyclists and then a single cyclist…..that was it. Just us and the deer, rabbits, squirrels and birds.
Love the trail But there are alot of bikers then walkers. The bikers tend to ride by you really fast so stay alert and listen to your surroundings. Wish they had there own lane.