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Katy Trail State Park

ExpertMissouri · United States

GPX
Distance
385 km (239 mi)
Elevation gain
377 m (1,237 ft)
Estimated time
91 hr
Difficulty
Expert
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
287 m (942 ft)

About Katy Trail State Park

Katy Trail State Park is a mapped hiking route in Missouri, United States. The mapped distance is 385 km (239 mi), with 377 m (1,237 ft) of recorded ascent, with 237 m (778 ft) of recorded descent. Its recorded high point is 287 m (942 ft) and its low point is 133 m (436 ft). The displayed moving time of 15 days is a planning estimate based on distance and ascent, before breaks.

Hiking Trail Directory rates this route expert from the available distance and elevation measurements. That rating is useful for comparing routes in the directory, but it does not establish technical terrain, exposure, path condition or the skills required on the day. The start and finish differ on this point-to-point route; arrange the return journey before setting out.

The source data records route tags for mountain and long-distance path and membership of the rwn network. These attributes describe the route record as a whole; they do not prove that every section has the same surface, signage or feature.

The directory season field highlights april to october. This is planning metadata, not a live statement about snow, closures or trail condition. Jefferson City is the nearest linked city in the directory, approximately 18.4 km away in a straight line.

The map is derived from OpenStreetMap and contains 156 geometry points. Elevation values were sampled from terrarium-z11. The traceable source record is 1163467. Open-data records can lag behind reroutes and closures, so compare the source, official notices and the forecast before travelling.

Plan around this route’s details

Start, finish and return
The recorded 385 km line has different endpoints. Confirm travel from the finish before setting out; that return journey is additional to the mapped route.
Climbing in context
The recorded ascent averages approximately 1 m of climbing per kilometre across the whole route. This is climbing density, not trail gradient: climbs and flatter sections may be unevenly distributed. Recorded descent totals 237 m and also needs time in your plan.
What needs a separate check
This record does not establish surface, dog access, wheelchair access. Check any of these that affect your group. Current closures, access arrangements and transport are not verified by the route line.

Route map

Expert385 km377 m

Numbered marks every 50 km

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+377 m
Descent
237 m
High
287 m (942 ft)
Low
133 m (436 ft)
115 m162 m210 m258 m305 m0.0 km96 km192 km287 km383 km

Climbing and descending by section

Use these equal-distance sections to see how climbing and descending are distributed along the stored elevation profile. Distances follow the profile’s recorded direction; walking in reverse swaps ascent and descent and reverses the section order.

Sampled ascent and descent in each third of the elevation profile
SectionProfile distanceAscentDescent
First third0.00127.67 km58 m34 m
Middle third127.67255.33 km72 m49 m
Final third255.33383.00 km279 m182 m
How these numbers are calculated

We split the stored profile into three equal distances and interpolate elevation at each boundary. Rising samples count towards ascent; falling samples towards descent. Totals can differ from the headline figures, which may use different smoothing or rounding. Sparse samples, gaps in the source route and elevation-model errors limit accuracy. These are calculations, not surveyed sections, directions or terrain assessments.

Make it fit your day

Your walking-time scenario

Adjust the example pace and allowances to explore your own plan. This calculator uses your inputs, so it may differ from the directory’s headline estimate.

Calculated walking time including your allowances

97 hr 26 min

5778 min for distance + 38 min for ascent + 30 min allowance.

This is an aggregate calculation for a long outing. It does not plan overnight stages, accommodation or recovery.

Formula: distance ÷ pace × 60 + ascent ÷ 100 × climbing allowance + stops. Travel to and from the route is additional. Terrain, descent, weather and navigation are not modelled. These results do not establish route suitability. Read the time-planning guide.

Recorded route measurements

The start and finish differ on this point-to-point route; arrange the return journey before setting out. The mapped distance is 385 km (239 mi), with 377 m (1,237 ft) of recorded ascent, with 237 m (778 ft) of recorded descent. The sampled elevation profile records a maximum grade of about 2%; this is a calculated value and may smooth short, steeper sections. The profile reaches 287 m (942 ft) from a recorded low of 133 m (436 ft).

Highlights

  • 385 km mapped point-to-point route
  • Directory difficulty: expert
  • 377 m (1,237 ft) recorded ascent
  • High point: 287 m (942 ft)
  • Recorded tag: Mountain
  • Recorded tag: Long-distance path

Know before you go

Season field
April to October
Waymarked
Not recorded as waymarked
Surface
Not recorded
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not recorded
Entrance fee
Not recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Not recorded as available
Toilets
Not recorded as available
Mobile coverage
Not verified
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
68/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
76/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
100/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
26/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
14/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
47/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Open the linked source record before departure to check whether the mapped relation has changed.
  • Save the route line offline; a map download is useful regardless of expected phone coverage.
  • Use 15 days as estimated moving time, then add your own allowance for stops, conditions and daylight.
  • Confirm return transport and its operating hours before starting this point-to-point route.
  • Carry enough food and water for the full route; water availability is not established by the map data.
  • Follow local access rules and leave no litter or food waste behind.

Warnings

  • This guide does not contain live information about closures, hazards, snow, flooding or path condition.
  • The finish is separate from the start, so a missed transport connection can materially extend the outing.

Safety

Emergency services in United States can be reached on 911. Share your route and expected return time with someone before leaving. The directory has no verified coverage map or live trail-status feed, so do not rely on phone reception or this page alone. Turn around when conditions, access or your remaining time no longer match the plan.

What to bring

  • Footwear suited to the current surface and conditions
  • Weather layers appropriate to the local forecast
  • Offline route map and a backup navigation method
  • Food and water for the planned time plus a reserve
  • Charged phone and a small first-aid kit
  • Head torch and an extra warm layer for a longer outing

Photography

Photo locations are not mapped in the source data for Katy Trail State Park. Stay on permitted ground, keep clear of edges and moving water, and never block the route while setting up. Check local rules before using a tripod or drone, especially inside protected areas.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

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Prepare for this walk

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