This is a popular trail for hikers and bicyclists looking for a fun and easy-going trail. You will see glimpses of the Missouri River along the way. Keep your eyes out for waterfowl and migratory birds. The trail is mostly flat but does have some gentle grades. The north half of this trail is paved and the south half has a fine gravel surface.

The Shawnee Mission Park is a 1,600-acre park located in Shawnee that contains several miles of trails for the use of hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The network of trails throughout the park and surrounding the lake provides a scenic retreat from nearby suburban areas. This trail travels along a secluded, wooded ridge above the lake’s south shore. There are many vantage points for great views and for observing the geese, ducks, and herons that frequent the lake in winter. This trail is shared with equestrians.

The trails at Elk City State Park rank among the best in Kansas. This trail is a 15-mile trail which winds along a rocky ridge on the north side of the lake, travels along sheer rock walls, under rock canopies, through rock tunnels and chambers, up rock steps to bluffs overlooking the lake, and around giant boulders and is regarded as the best hike in the state by Outside magazine. The scenery is phenomenal and there are so many spectacular views of the lake. It is rugged with some steep climbs and descents on the ridge overlooking the lake.

This trail at Hillsdale Lake crosses highly varied terrain as you hike through grassy meadows, cultivated fields, cedar-dotted prairie, rocky, forested hillsides overlooking the lake, and deep wooded valleys. The diverse scenery and views of the lake are great. Wildlife is abundant and whitetail deer, bobwhite quail, squirrel, rabbit, beaver, muskrat, and a variety of waterfowl are commonly seen. Birdwatchers will see bald eagles, shorebirds, finches, warblers, sparrows, and hawks.

The Perry Lake Trail is a 29-mile hiking trail on the east side of Perry Lake that offers a range of terrain and difficulty. Easy, gentle slopes characterize the southern part of the trail while rugged, varying elevation changes provide challenges in the northern parts of the trail. Wildlife is abundant and commonly seen along most sections and many places along the trail offer scenic views of the lake. This route provides some of the roughest terrain of the trail. There are many high bluff views of the lake along this section that are well worth the effort. Resting benches are placed in well-shaded areas with spectacular views.

The Chautauqua Hills Trail is located on the north side of Toronto Lake in a rugged and wooded area. You will begin by crossing a pedestrian bridge over an inlet of the lake then pass through scenic woodlands, over and around large sandstone outcroppings, and tallgrass prairie that often towers several feet overhead. One unique section of the trail travels through prairie, skirting the edge of the woods and parallels a ridge with enormous sandstone boulders. The trail is well-maintained and is rated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks as moderately difficult.

This is a beautiful trail through Fancy Creek State Park on the north shore of Tuttle Creek Lake. It tracks up and down hills of cedar forest and native grasslands with rock outcrops and ridges that provide challenges. This is one of the best and most unique trails in Kansas and is very popular with mountain bikers as well as hikers. The trail is very rocky on the upper sections with mostly cedar trees and the lower sections are mostly deciduous trees and grass with many small creek crossings. The views and scenery are wonderful.

This trail traverses the 300-acre Arboretum and Botanical Gardens that was founded to keep the city at the forefront of environmental and ecological issues. It offers great opportunity to view and evaluate a wide variety of hybrid trees and shrubs native to this area. Nearly five miles of paved and wood chip hiking trails wind their way through the park. This hike climbs challenging limestone bluffs with great views over the river, includes two bridges spanning the river, treks through a cedar forest, and has a beautiful variety of plant life.

The trails at Elk City State Park rank among the best in Kansas. This trail first winds through young timber, woody vegetation, grasses, and wildflowers and then reaches the top of a ridge, where you will find several table rocks that are great for sitting and enjoying the fabulous views. The western side of the loop is somewhat rugged as it climbs into the rocks and travels along the ridge. The scenery through the woods is very peaceful and beautiful as you make your way back to the trailhead.

This trail is located in Kanopolis State Park in the rolling hills, bluffs, and woods of the Smoky Hills region of the state. This trail is a pleasure to explore and offers great scenery, rugged beauty, and stunning vistas. You will cross the grasslands, dip into the canyons, and explore caves and the small streams that have cut the canyons. Wildlife is abundant and wildflowers brighten the landscape. Great views of Kanopolis Lake are also a highlight.