Hiking & Trails

Manhattan offers many hiking, biking and even equestrian trails. View the scenic Flint Hills landscape as you walk or run. Find many trail options below.  

Jogger

Hiking Trails 

  • Partially wooded and part-shaded 1.6 mile loop around Anneberg Park, Jerry Dishman Lake and Twin Oaks Complex. Trail parallels Wildcat Creek on the southern portion. Primarily flat for walks/runs, with about half the trail on paved surface, the remainder on crushed rock. Learn More

  • Achieve the maximum hiking experience: make 20-acre Goodnow Park the trail origin at 4th and Thurston streets, just south of Manhattan Country Club. This short hike includes sharp incline intervals and moderate terrain changes. Takes about 15 minutes to ascend the hill and reach Manhattan lettering (Bluemont Hill), which overlooks the city's east side. Enjoy the view! Learn more.

  • One-sixth mile flat route parallels Avery Avenue on the western perimeter of the park, stretching from Dickens Avenue (south) to Kimball Avenue (north). Learn More

  • Route encircles City Park, one-quarter mile on each leg of the circuit, surrounded by Fremont (north), 11th Street (east), Poyntz Avenue (south) and 14th Street (west) to total one mile. Plenty of joggers/walkers on this trail with primarily wide paths. Entire route is paved. Learn More

  • Set upon 110 acres split between city/county use of riverfront property, Fairmont includes a trail that circles the park and is devoted to walking/biking.  Learn More

  • Fancy Creek State Park at Tuttle Creek Lake offers 6 miles of challenging terrain this hiking trail is great for the experienced runner or hiker. Dogs are welcome on leash. Learn More

  • Three trails comprise the established hiking options at Konza Prairie with distances of 2.6, 4.6 and 6.2 miles; $2 trail fee requested; hiking only. Access from Manhattan via McDowell Creek Road, and drive south 8 miles.
    Bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs are not permitted on Konza trails. Pets also strictly prohibited. 
    Learn More

  • Just west of CiCo Park on Kimball Avenue, paved trail stretches along eastern edge of Colbert Hills Golf Course and continues just beyond Kauffman Drive, at which point the paved trail transitions to natural hiking area. Few steep inclines included; for hikers that pick up the trail at Kimball and proceed north, the one-mile trail intersects with Washington Marlatt Park on the city's north edge. Five trail options will lead hikers to Marlatt Avenue, just west of Seth Child Road. Learn more

  • 2-mile walking trail encircles 79-acre park, one mile north of Highway 24, accessible via Allen Road/Knox Lane via Tuttle Creek Boulevard. Learn more.

  • Hikers-bikers follow a picturesque path from Anneberg Park back to Manhattan’s east side and Northeast Community Park along Knox Lane (9+ miles).  Learn more 

  • Trails at Randolph State Park cover 200 acres, including camping areas. The trail loops at Carnahan Park are 5 and 8 miles in length and offer dramatic scenery of the lake. Learn more.

  • A number of trails exist within the large 82-acre Warner Park, including a trail known as "Eight Weeks Trail" that was developed by the Park Conservation Crew on the west side of the park. On the southeast edges of the park is a trail that matches the path of a Fort Riley-Fort Leavenworth trail used by the U.S. Cavalry. Learn more

  • Half-dozen trail options exist within Marlatt Park, and two more trails lead to Top of the World scenic overlook off of Seth Child Road/Highway 113. Learn more

  • 3-mile loop follows the Big Blue River from Dyer Road Bridge to Rocky Ford camping/fishing area and ultimately to Tuttle Creek Park Beach Drive, all along Big Blue river banks. Rocky Ford was used as a river crossing by pioneers and military for many years. Learn more. 

Alternative Trails 

  • Tuttle Creek Lake has two equestrian trails. The Carnahan Creek Trail is located on the east side of the lake and is accessible by equestrian and foot traffic only. This trail goes from Carnahan Creek north to Garrison avenue a 10 mile trip. There is also a 2 mile turnaround loop for you to easily return to the Carnahan Creek Trail Head.  Learn more.

  • Equestrians head to the Randolph Area Trail this multipurpose trail offers beautiful views of the lake and other wildlife. The trail is 14.75 miles in length with loops that can be separated into shorter lengths. Learn more.

  • One of the world's longest prairie rivers (173 miles) is the Kansas River ecosystem, which offers great opportunities to explore eastern Kansas. Viewing north-central Kansas' raw beauty from the waters on canoe or kayak presents a whole new perspective. Kansas River Trail

For more trails in Manhattan check out this Bike Map & Trail Guide