Get wet and wild with these three lakeside hikes
The woods, wildlife and waves. What more do you need?
By Roy Harryman
Publisher
Lakeside trails give you the best of both worlds. On one side you can watch for waterfowl and birds of prey (eagles!). Looking the other direction, you’re surrounded by forest, rock outcroppings and incoming streams.
In Greater Kansas City, we have an abundance of lakes that feature trails. However, if you’re looking for lakes that are more on the wild side, these are for you.
Here, we feature three trails that offer remoteness, opportunities to see wildlife and a (very) long walk.
Blue Springs Lake North Shore Trail
This hike begins near the dam of Blue Springs Lake. It’s a single-track mountain bike trail that follows the lakeshore 4.5 miles. That’s point-to-point, so if you walk the whole things, it’s nine miles. This wild trail brings you in constant contact with the lakefront and waterfowl, winds through craggy boulders and cliffs and cuts through deep woods.
Wyandotte County Lake
It’s been called a rural retreat within the city limits. In western Wyandotte County you’ll find 1,500 acres of woodland surrounding the 400-acre lake. An approximately 19-mile trail system loops the entire park, weaving through the hilly, forested terrain. Don’t let the length scare you off: You can walk or bike as much or little as you want. There are numerous access points, allowing you to customize your journey. Expect to see waterfowl, boaters and serene surroundings.
Pleasant Hill City Lake
Single track mountain bike trails hug the shore of City Lake, weaving in and out of the adjacent forest. Although it’s called City Lake, this lake is in a quiet, rural setting accessed only by gravel roads. Often you’ll be the only person on the trail and hear only the call of birds and the rustling of leaves. The west side of the lake is rockier and more challenging than the east side. Two floating bridges cross the lake on the north side. This trail is a 3.5-mile loop that requires walking about one mile on a gravel road to return to the trail head. If you don’t want to do that, you can simply turn around and walk 2.5 miles back.
Other great trails
Now, of course there are other scenic lakeside trails in the area. Our job, however, is to inform you of places you may not yet be aware of. But in the name of completeness, here are some other equally wild and scenic lakeside hikes:
Carpe diem!
Roy Harryman is the publisher of Kansas City Hiker.