Riding, Biking and Hiking Trails


Tucked into hidden corners of Miami county, more than 50 miles of trails allow adventurers to explore scenic sections of the county. 

These routes have become easier to locate thanks to a free app, Regional Kansas City Bike Map, which is available at marc.org/bikemap. It can be used on a smartphone, tablet, or computer browser. The interactive map will coordinate with a device’s GPS signal to track progress along a mapped route.

The application, which shows bikeway and trail information for the eight-county Kansas City region, has been made available through a joint venture with the Mid-America Regional Council. It should be used safely, not while riding or driving.

For a link to trails in Miami County, you can access the MARC information here.
MARC bikemap QR Code

Hillsdale Lake

Hillsdale Lake State Park’s Saddle Ridge is popular among horseback riders, not just for its 48 miles of marked trails, but also for the connected campground that provides pens so riders and their horse can comfortably stay the night. Saddle Ridge is additionally open to hikers and cyclists as are the 1.5-mile Hidden Spring Nature Trail and 3-mile State Park Trail.


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Flint Hills Trail State Park 

Upon first arriving to Kansas, settlers were often struck by the beauty of the tallgrass prairie. The grass rippled with the wind and seemed to go on forever, leading them to compare it to the sea. With time and development, that piece of Kansas heritage has shrunk down to a fraction of what it once was. Flint Hills Trail State Park was first created to help reverse that trend. During the last 24 years, the Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy has continued to add land to the Flint Hills Trail in an effort to protect tallgrass ecosystems. Currently the trail stretches across 118 miles, starting in Osawatomie and ending in Council Grove. Visitors can hike, bike or horseride their way across Eastern and Central Kansas. The trail runs along the Marais des Cygnes River providing views of rushing water, bluffs, farmland and woodland. It follows the general route of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and is part of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. 


Community Trails

 
Paola Pathways was created so runners, walkers and cyclists can exercise in a safe and scenic environment. Since 2015, the city has developed 10-miles of trails that wind through Wallace Park and Lake Miola. Each parkways location has a variety of trails for different skill levels with distinctive topographies and trail surfaces.

Lewis Young Park in Louisburg contains a 3-mile primitive trail system that leads hikers and mountain bikers deep within a wooded area. A newly paved 1.5 mile trail loops the concession stand, disc golf course, soccer and baseball fields to the parking areas. For those looking for looking to go a more leisurely pace, Louisburg City Lake is surrounded by a paved, 1.25 mile walkway connecting nearby neighborhoods.


Trail Etiquette


All of the trails in Miami County attract more than one type of user. Please be aware that other trail users will likely be travelling at a different pace. It is important to take note of the weather and make plans to stay safe. Binoculars, drinking water and a cell phone may all be items to take on the trail. 


It is important to leave the trail in as good of condition as it was found.