Difficulty/Challenge Rating (1-Beginner to 5-Expert): 1-4
Description:
Blue River Parkway has several miles of trails (12+ miles)
that run along both sides of the Blue River. The trails begin near Red Bridge Road on the north and
extend south of Martin City to 139th Street (additional trails continue west
of Holmes Road all the way to the Polo fields at Kenneth Road, where the Blue River crosses the
state line into Kansas--but these are better suited for equestrians).
The old road bed that runs along the west side of the river is a very easy trail that drains
well and is suitable for nearly all riders. For those wanting a bit more challenge, there are several
off-shoots from the road bed that provide some additional challenge (advanced beginner to intermediate).
Finally, for the hard-core riders, check out the "Bo Ho Ca" and "Mountain" trails
east of Blue River Road along with the
"Wagon Trail" that runs from Blue Ridge Blvd south
to the Power Substation just off 139th Street. These are intermediate to expert trails that
contain several challenging sections but were designed so an intermediate rider can ride nearly all
of it by simply bypassing/walking over the obstacles that beckon the experts.
Check out the
trail maps,
which identify the trails and give an indication of their relative difficulty.
Highlights:
Nothing beats the road bed for kicking in the big gear
and throwing the dirt out of your treads. Just west of the road bed, a few feet south of the
sign board, there is a challenging but fun section of trail that winds through the woods (tight,
twisty, with several challenging hills and rocks). On the east bank of the river, just behind the
soccer fields, there is a challenging rock ledge (known as "Little Moab")--a place that will
give intermediate and advance
riders a chance to check out their suspension! Farther south, on the Wagon Trail, there
is "The Knob" that gives the more advanced riders a chance to
test their skills with a 2-3 foot rock drop.
If you want some altitude change, head over to the "Bo Ho Ca" and "Mountain" trails east of
Blue River Rd. We may not have any real mountains in Kansas City, but you can certainly get 100 to 200 feet
of elevation change (depending upon which trails you take).