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Loop Trails in Missouri

The directory currently contains 31 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Missouri. Their average mapped distance is 5.3 km and average recorded ascent is 102 m (335 ft); the longest route in the set is 34.3 km.

This subset represents 42% of the 74 quality-checked routes in Missouri. Its average distance is 5.3 km, compared with 18.3 km across the full local set.

Every route in this set is classified as a loop and returns to its starting area. A loop can still reuse part of the same path. Within this set, 16 routes (52%) are rated easy, 1 (3%) are rated hard or expert, and 31 (100%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

0.6 km

Dog Park Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

8 m

Shawnee Trace Nature Trail - Blue Loop

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

6 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Easy

Dog Park Trail

Missouri · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
9 m
Typical duration
8 min
Easy

Open Play Trail

Missouri · United States

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
13 m
Typical duration
10 min
Moderate

Multi-Use Trail A

Missouri · United States

Distance
7.9 km
/ 4.9 mi
Elevation gain
191 m
Typical duration
1 hr 56 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Multi-Use Trail B

Missouri · United States

Distance
10.7 km
/ 6.7 mi
Elevation gain
221 m
Typical duration
2 hr 34 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Shoreline Trail Loop

Missouri · United States

Distance
7.0 km
/ 4.3 mi
Elevation gain
112 m
Typical duration
1 hr 37 min
  • Coastal
Moderate

Lower Rock Ledges Loop

Missouri · United States

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
116 m
Typical duration
1 hr 15 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Moderate

Rock Ledges

Missouri · United States

Distance
7.5 km
/ 4.6 mi
Elevation gain
138 m
Typical duration
1 hr 46 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Easy

Upper Rock Ledges Loop

Missouri · United States

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
51 m
Typical duration
57 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Moderate

Pa-Huska Nature Trail

Missouri · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
19 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • River
Moderate

River Bluff Nature Trail

Missouri · United States

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
98 m
Typical duration
1 hr 2 min
  • River
Moderate

B Range Targets

Missouri · United States

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
28 m
Typical duration
14 min
Easy

Butterfly Trail paved

Missouri · United States

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
6 min
Easy

C Range Targets

Missouri · United States

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
24 m
Typical duration
14 min
Easy

Hollow Stump Trail

Missouri · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
8 m
Typical duration
8 min
Moderate

Krug Park Trail

Missouri · United States

Distance
11.1 km
/ 6.9 mi
Elevation gain
206 m
Typical duration
2 hr 37 min
Moderate

Mozingo Nature Trails

Missouri · United States

Distance
7.7 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
84 m
Typical duration
1 hr 43 min
Easy

Paved Bicycle Trail

Missouri · United States

Distance
4.6 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
90 m
Typical duration
1 hr 5 min
Easy

Pinnacles Lower Loop

Missouri · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
9 m
Typical duration
17 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Hercules Glade Wilderness LoopMissouri34.3 km597 m8 hr 37 minExpertApril to October
Shawnee Trace Nature Trail - Blue LoopMissouri1.9 km8 m24 minEasyApril to October
Shawnee Trace Nature Trail - Green LoopMissouri1.2 km15 m17 minEasyApril to October
Piney Creek Wilderness Area LoopMissouri12.3 km424 m3 hr 12 minModerateApril to October
Carl L. Chinnery Nature TrailMissouri4.3 km67 m59 minEasyApril to October
Dog Park TrailMissouri0.6 km9 m8 minEasyApril to October
Open Play TrailMissouri0.7 km13 m10 minEasyApril to October
People's Park TrailMissouri0.5 km0 m6 minEasyApril to October
Larry Mattonen Memorial TrailMissouri4.1 km40 m55 minEasyApril to October
Monkey Mountain Nature Reserve NorthEastMissouri4.5 km54 m1 hr 1 minEasyApril to October

Hercules Glade Wilderness Loop, Shawnee Trace Nature Trail - Blue Loop, Shawnee Trace Nature Trail - Green Loop currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

Read article →

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