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Flint Hills Trail Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaHerington
, Kansas -
Difficulty Rating
-
Trail TypeRail Trail
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Bike TypeXC, Fat, Gravel
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Climb DifficultyGreen
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Physical RatingEasy
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
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Dogs AllowedYes
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Global Ranking#68074 in Mountain Biking
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Local Popularity5 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
The Flint Hills Nature Trail runs for 117 miles (east-west) across northeast Kansas, linking six counties and dozens of towns between Osawatomie and Herington. The rail-trail is one of the longest in the United States, but many sections remain unimproved and rough going, making it difficult to attempt on a road bike but fine for mountain or hybrid and cyclocross bikes, and horses. Thus, some sections of trail are still under development. For specific details, see the latest trail condition report on the local website (under Related Links to the right). In addition, some sections of the trail have gates, which you can either go through or, in one case, climb over. Whenever you encounter a gate, please close it again behind you.
The trail traces a course through the Flint Hills, one of the last remaining tall-grass prairie ecosystems in the world. Along the trail you will encounter prairie flora and fauna, historic areas and unmatched views of the surrounding prairie and countryside. Wildlife includes bobwhite quail, wild turkeys, prairie chickens and bobcats.
From Herington at the western end through Allen and Admire, you encounter the tall-grass prairie; from the eastern end in Osawatomie, about 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, the Flint Hills Nature Trail is more wooded. For much of this stretch through Ottawa and on to Osage City, the trail follows the Marais des Cygnes River, with the water just north of the pathway and river bluffs to the south.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Flint Hills Trail multi-use trail trail
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Altitude change-474 ft
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Altitude min855 ft
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Altitude start1,329 ft
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Altitude end856 ft
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Grade-0.1%
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Grade max-5.6%
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Grade min1.9%
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Distance climb42 miles
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Distance down59 miles
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Distance flat17 miles
- view trail stats
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
- mountain biking recent
- mountain biking (>6 month)
- hiking (1 year)
- moto (1 year)
- Downhill Ski
- Backcountry Ski
- Nordic Ski
- Snowmobile
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