5 Hidden-Gem Walking Trails Near You
Late summer in Missouri can make an afternoon walk feel more like a survival challenge but cooler days are hopefully just around the corner! When they arrive, it’s the perfect time to lace up your shoes and explore a few lesser known, partly shaded walking trails within about 10 miles of St. Charles.
And walking really is one of the easiest things we can do for our health. Regular physical activity can improve mood and sleep, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. Even shorter walks count, and the CDC recommends working toward about 150 minutes of moderate activity each week.
Here are five local trails worth discovering:
- River Link Trail – Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area
Tucked along the Missouri River, Bangert Island offers nearly four miles of mostly flat natural-surface trails beneath mature trees and surprisingly peaceful for being so close to town. - Webster Park Natural Hike/Bike Trail
This short trail winds through rolling hills, wooded areas and a creek, making Webster Park a quiet little escape that’s easy to overlook. - McNair Park Paved Hike/Bike Trail
Beyond the ballfields, McNair has a 1.75-mile paved trail system with a creek, mature trees and woodland areas providing welcome stretches of shade. - Glen Travis Park Paved Walking Trail
This unique St. Peters trail passes through a 12-acre pin oak swamp where trees, wildlife and wetlands make it feel far removed from suburbia. - Trailwoods Park Walking Trail
True to its name, this peaceful neighborhood trail circles a small lake surrounded by mature trees so it’s a perfect for an easy, shaded stroll.
So when that first hint of fall finally arrives, skip the treadmill and go discover a trail you may have driven past a hundred times.
