118.1 miles
Distance
692 ft
Climb
-1,165 ft
Descent
1,538 ft
High Point
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Flint Hills Trail

Flint Hills Trail Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Herington
    , Kansas
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Trail Type
    Rail Trail
  • Bike Type
    XC, Fat, Gravel
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Easy
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #68074 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    5 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.

source: ...
More Stats for Flint Hills Trail multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -474 ft
  • Altitude min
    855 ft
  • Altitude start
    1,329 ft
  • Altitude end
    856 ft
  • Grade
    -0.1%
  • Grade max
    -5.6%
  • Grade min
    1.9%
  • Distance climb
    42 miles
  • Distance down
    59 miles
  • Distance flat
    17 miles
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Status:
Avg: 3.86 (2 votes)
Your vote: 0

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  • Snow Groomed
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  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
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  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Aug 7, 2023 @ 3:15pm
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      Mar 26, 2018

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