Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Nebraska, 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.
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Great trails with beautiful views and strong local support!
This smooth, concrete trail is flat and wide. Park at Ft. Kearney State Park and it is 1.8 miles to the I-80 underpass where the trail continues as the Kearney Hike and Bike Trail for several more miles. In the 1.8 miles there are several benches and two very nice pavilions with tables. The very long wooden bridge, crossing the Platte River is a bumpy ride due to the knotty wood boards used for the floor. The views of the Platte River are beautiful and we saw several great blue heron there. There is a second concrete bridge also crossing the river. Restroom facilities are found. Campground.
The Keystone Trail is now open from Democracy Park to Lake Cunningham.It does cross several roadways, but should not be a problem with Hawk Lights and traffic signals.
This is my absolute favorite Lincoln trail. It is very woodsy and filled with birds and other wildlife. (Personally, I love riding on limestone and the dirt paths.) There are so many opportunities to join a Wilderness Park dirt path, beautiful bridges and lots of shade.
I was on the MoMac Trail East this morning. It was easy to find. The parking spot was adjacent to a bathroom. The weather was perfect. And the scenery was magnificent. I wish I was here for longer so I could do more of it! What a blessing!
I was traveling through on my way back to Ohio, but I wanted to ride on portions of this trail. I had stayed overnight in Chadron and saw the trail along the road as I drove east. That part was rough looking and not finished as per TrailLink. I never did find a location of a trail head in that area. I stopped in Rushville to see the trail there. The 15 miles between Rushville and Gordon were complete, so the crushed stone was a much better surface. Due to lack of time and not wanting to bike against 25-30 mph winds, I went on to Valentine. I parked in the lot by a grocery store, which was close to the trail. I wasn't sure where else to park in town. I rode the trail to the bridge. While researching this trail, TrailLink had said that the Nicobara Bridge over the Niobrara River was closed, but I was at least hoping to see it. In fact, it was open. It was awesome to see and the views were great. It was a little nerve racking with the winds at 25-30 mph and higher gusts, I felt like I was going to blow over the railing. :-) I went to the parking area on the other side and turned around. I then biked to the trailhead on the west side of Valentine. There is a good ice cream shop on Main Street for those who like to bike to eat treats.
I then drove to Norfolk. The next morning I went to the trailhead there and biked 5 miles out and 5 back. The surface was cement for the first 2 miles, but then changed to crushed stone. Still a good surface. The trail went through the country and along the Elkhorn River.
I did the 2 endpoints, so maybe someday I will ride the middle portion.
This trail isn't that long for some, but probably long enough for others. I didn't have any problem with the surface of crushed stone. I had gone to Fort Robinson State Park first since I was in the area, but I didn't stay to tour that place or look for the endpoint of the trail there. Instead I drove to Crawford, saw the trailhead and then parked in the city park, which was very close. The park had restrooms where I could change my clothes. (I'm from Ohio and was traveling and biking in various mid-western states). The trail went through part of the town and then to the open country. Buttes could be seen. Some of the trail was tree lined and some in the open. One of the bridges went over White River. Benches and covered shelters were available at intervals along the rail.
At the western endpoint, and after 3 miles and where the red line on TrailLink ended, the trail butted up to a road. One could go on a few other roads and into the main part of Fort Robinson. There were not any signs or maps at that spot, so I don't know where the trail went or ended in the state park. I decided not to do that portion, so I turned around.
I enjoyed the ride and I hope it gets well used.
In May 2025, I parked near the dog park in Riverside Park and got on the trail. (There is a parking lot facing the river near the dog park). Going one way, I was soon at the west end point by S Beltline Hwy W. I then went in the other direction. It followed the North Platte River. Construction on a bridge prevented users on the trail under it. The bridge does have a separate lane for pedestrians and bikers, who are asked to walk their bikes. The trail goes along ponds and roads. At one intersection I had trouble finding the trail on the other side of it, so I ended up going past it. Every sidewalk looked like the trail. From the road, it looked like a driveway but the trail was at the far end of it. I had seen the driveway, but not the trail. An extra sign would have been helpful. I have to dig into my front bag for the phone to use TrailLink each time I want to use it. Those who use techy devices the entire ride probably would not have had the trouble I did. I did ride the trail to the visitor center at Scottsbluff National Monument. It was more narrow, hilly and little bumpier than I expected, but doable. The scenery makes it worth while.
If you take it do it from Peru to Brownsville. I did it from Neb City all the way to Brownsville and the first part was not maintained at all and then a boring 5 miles thru a farm. In Peru they have a nice bathroon if it was open. I get real mad knowing these trail town get money to maintain this stuff yet allot do nothing especially in Nebraska. Once again no trash cans, bathrooms and honestly except Brownsville no real towns to speak of and it was a long ride when you have to do it there and back. I think Peru to Brownsville if fixed up and maintained could host some cool biking events and add some running events in it. Its got some nice views.
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.
Went from Peru to Brownville. Definitely more utilized than Brownville to end.
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