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TOP 5 HIKING TRAILS IN STL
huge, often overlooked county park. The 1,700 acre park contains many hiking trails and picnic shelters, allowing for pretty hikes or family lunches in a shelter. If you go there, try out Dogwood trail. This 2.6 mile loop winds through dense hardwoods that are especially beautiful during fall. All of the leaves turn bronze, which also makes a good photo-op. This dirt path is a great afternoon hike that also contains a fair amount of elevation gain, so make sure you have good hiking boots on. This trail received a 4.2/5 rating on Alltrails, and received a moderate diffi culty rating. Find more information on Dogwood and Greensfl eder on stlouiscountymo.gov.
Trail #3
Turkey Ridge Trail
Tucked away on Missouri’s highway 109, Rockwoods Reservation is a gem as far as public hiking trails go. The rolling hardwood hills make for a breathtaking fall view. If you are there, make sure to check out Turkey Ridge trail. Staying true to it’s name, Turkey Ridge is a loop that has a large ridge in the middle. While there is a steep hike up, once you are on top of the ridge you can see the hardwood hills that you have ascended. Also, staying true to it’s name, watch out for deer and turkeys on your hike. Turkey ridge received a 4.2/5 on Alltrails, and a moderate diffi culty rating. To fi nd more information about Turkey Ridge, go to thehikingproject. com.
Mule Rating
Hike Di culty (5 being hardest) Hike Scenery (5 being prettiest) Crowds (5 being least busy)
Trail #4
Bee Tree Lake Loop
Just West of our neighboring state, Illinois, Bee Tree county park borders the Mississippi River. While it is a smaller county park, it still holds some nice trails. One to check out is The Bee Tree Lake loop. Since the trail is just under ½ of a mile, it makes a great after-school hike or evening adventure. The loop takes you to a beautiful vista of the mighty Mississippi, then around Bee Tree Lake. It’s a great family hike to get some exercise and see the river. This loop has a 4.3/5 rating on Alltrails, and has an easy diffi culty rating. To get more information about Bee Tree, go to stlouiscountymo.gov
Mule Rating
Hike Di culty (5 being hardest) Hike Scenery (5 being prettiest) Crowds (5 being least busy)
Trail #5
Busch Greenway at Busch Wildlife
Just across the Missouri River lies one of the biggest tracts of public land in Missouri, Busch Wildlife. While there are many trails there, you should check out Busch Greenway if you get a chance. It is very popular among hikers and bikers, but that doesn’t mean that it’s bad. The trail winds through Missouri prairie fi elds and hardwoods as well. It connects the infamous Katy Trail
Mule Rating
Hike Di culty (5 being hardest) Hike Scenery (5 being prettiest) Crowds (5 being least busy)
