Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Kansas, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Path is 3/4th crushed stone when you do come across paved sections it makes you thankful. There are multiple points of entry and exit along the road. Path isn’t very scenic but still a worth while trail to explore.
First time riding this trail. Well maintained, very quiet trail. Rode Humboldt to Iola today, and only saw one other rider the whole time.
Today we rode the Flint Hills Trail from Osawatomie to Ottawa and back. We had a great time and this trail is highly recommended! The trail is a "Rails to Trails" route that follows the Marais des Cygnes river, so it is predominately flat. The gravel surface is packed very light chip, so almost any type of bike will work (we rode gravel bikes). In a few places, the recent heavy rains washed away the light chip top coat and exposed the more coarse RR bed gravel below, but it is not a problem. We did not see any of the thorns etc. mentioned above in posts from previous years. The trail head is a little hard to find, and Google maps did not help. If you find the Osawatomie elementary school and then proceed down that same road about 3/4 mile further, the trail head (with some parking) is on your right. Leaving on the trail from Osawatomie, the first 6 miles are completely shaded by trees arching over the trail. After that the trail is about 1/2 shaded and 1/2 open meadows - so this is a great trail for warm summer days (and should be beautiful in the fall). There are many bridges, views of the river and wide open farmland to see along the way. Today, at 9 miles in, there was about 200 yd where water covered the trail from the big overnight thunderstorms, but this is not normal. There are no drinking water stops along the way - so bring at least 2 good sized bottles per person. There are however farm houses all along, so if you really needed help in an emergency, it is not far away. Ottawa is about 18 miles from Osawatomie and you will know that you are close when you pass under the I-35 bridge (about 2 miles to go). If you want lunch, turn left off the trail at 7th street (it is well marked), go ~1 mile south on 7th and you will hit Main street. Subway is 2 blocks to your left (9th street) on Main, or you can go to downtown and have a variety of food choices. We had a really nice ride today and hope that you can ride this trail soon too!
I rode from Maize rd to Garden Plain on a hybrid bike. The path was well kept with just a couple of larger rocks near garden plain. There are really nice parks in Goddard and just north of the trail end in garden plain. I will definitely ride again with my kids.
Very Scenic trail, very well maintained. Can not wait to see it this fall.
Really nice trail!! Saw deer and coyote between Goddard and Garden Plain.
Have walked this trail from 114th st and Mill view to Nelson’s Island and back. It seems that it’s more catered to the cyclist, and For the most part most of them are respectful there are those few who blow passed you without warning and then complain that you didn’t move out of their way. Either way great trail an I love walking it, cannot wait to see the trail in fall colors.
The first half mile of the trail is by far the best, aside from that it’s an easy trail to walk.
I started in LIndsborg and biked all the way to the southern endpoint north of McPherson and then back again. A good way to see Kansas farmland from another perspective. You do have to do a jog leaving the trail at Shawnee, going east on paved roads to old 81 and then back over west on to Pawnee, again paved roads. There is an unfinished center portion. At Pawnee, you can see that work is being done on the trail heading north. Encountered volunteers maintaining the trail. This is a trail in evolution. Some benches/rest spots at the extreme north and south ends. An under-appreciated Central Kansas gem.
I rode the McPherson side today and with all the rain the region has had, the trail is still in fairly good condition. There are some soft spots in areas but most of al it’s a good ride.
I rode this trail from 2nd and Golden to 28th and Fairlawn, and BACK today. loved every minute of it, Just the right amount of turns twists, i felt safe and really enjoyed the views while riding!
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