Urban walks: Our guide to hiking the big city
Can you still experience nature with Kansas City’s skyline in view? Absolutely.
By Roy Harryman
Publisher
The words “urban” and “hiking” are not oxymorons.
In Kansas City, there are ample options to get in a few thousand steps and observe wildlife and wildflowers – all while keeping the Downtown skyline in sight.
Understandably, some hikers want to leave city life behind, à la Green Acres:
Land spreadin' out so far and wide,
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.
While I respect that, Kansas City’s urban hikes do have advantages:
You may discover something new.
City hikes tend to offer conditions more favorable to children (playgrounds, stroller-friendly surfaces).
You can easily switch gears from hiking to shopping (or eating).
You can (usually) experience the luxury of an indoor restroom.
Ready to hike the big city? Here are some of our favorite local urban walking destinations.
Roanoke Park
Explore limestone rock outcroppings in a preserve of green amid historic homes.
Penn Valley Park
Experience local history and panoramic views of Kansas City.
Nelson-Atkins Museum Art Walk
An approximately half-mile trail loops the museum, taking visitors on a tour of the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park.
Loose Park
A mile-long trail loops the park and provides views of its famed greenery and historic homes along its perimeter.
Gorman Discovery Center and Kauffman Legacy Park
In the heart of the city lies a conservation discovery center, just east of the Country Club Plaza.
Kessler Park and Cliff Drive
The walk is serene, with wooded cliffsides shooting upward on the south and bluffs fading off to the Missouri River on the north.
Country Club Plaza Walking Trail
Begin at Kauffman Legacy Park and walk west alongside Brush Creek until you reach the Country Club Plaza.
Berkley Riverfront Park
A paved trail offers scenic views of the river and the Kansas City skyline.