Hiking and Biking
​...throughout the Solomon Valley
Visitors to Mitchell County, Kansas, will find plenty of locations for hiking and biking.  Set against a vista of big skies and wide-open spaces, rolling hills, lake shores and tree-lined tributaries, a variety of get-back-to-nature opportunities awaits those of all ages and skill levels!  Seasonal changes will further accent your experience. Don’t forget your camera!
Places For Hikes And Biking Excursions 
 Glen Elder State Park provides several miles of hiking and biking trails, The trails, leading throughout the entire Park area,  are generally grass covered, are mowed and maintained; they are generously wide and easy to navigate, Users will encounter ongoing views of the lake and surrounding park area and a host of wildlife including rabbits, numerous bird species and, in the warmer months a multitude of butterflies.   A Park permit is required to use the trails.
Want a shorter hiking excursion? Park next to the Hopewell Church, located just a quarter mile south of the ranger station on Hwy 128, and enjoy the quarter mile westerly leading path to the replica of Waconda Springs. The elevated view from the replica provides expansive park and lake vistas.  ​​​
 Glen Elder State Park also provides several miles of maintained roads, both paved and gravel, that wind throughout the park and the lake's north shore.  The park is well-maintained, including roads and roadsides. Vehicular traffic is normally light sans for 4th of July and Labor Day; low speeds are strictly enforced on all roads, year-round allowing bikers and hikers to feel safe while out and about. Likewise, the park’s many acres of camping and wildlife areas and miles of shoreline provide ample opportunity to just “walk across the land” while enjoying nature, solitude and quiet.
Picture
Glen Elder Dam, Waconda Lake and the Solomon Valley
Glen Elder Dam, Glen Elder, Kansas, is a favorite location for walkers, runners and bikers.  Scenically elevated along the east shore of Waconda Lake, from end to end, this mile and half paved road offers year-round opportunity. Picturesque views of the lake expand to the west and broad spaces of the Solomon River Valley stretch to the east. Expect occasional farm related and other traffic at any time; vehicular speeds are generally slow to moderate.
 
Those who would like closer proximity to the water can opt to walk or run along the base of the dam. Sidewalk-like, the lower edge of the dam offers a near smooth, debris free space to move the full length of the dam.
Waconda Lake’s southern shores and adjoining wildlife areas offer miles of hike-able shoreline and open spaces. Explore! Here you’ll find your perfect spot to commune with nature.  A mix of gravel, all-weather roads, and dirt roads (accessible only when dry) lead to many serene locations... where there is a good chance you’ll be the only one around to enjoy nature the way you want.
Cawker City causeway and dike, located just south of town, offers an elevated area to walk, run and bike. The paved causeway road bordering the west end of the lake, runs south out of town for three miles. The dike has a flat grassy top and extends east to west around  Cawker’s outer city limits. From these vantage points you will enjoy Waconda Lake to the east and the Solomon River to the west.
Chautauqua Park in Beloit, KS, provides a great area to hike or bike along or near to the banks of the Solomon River, A canopy of  towering trees provides lots of shade. The well-maintained park offers both all-weather roads and paths, and there are plenty of places, including shelters, to picnic or just relax. Need to cool off? Take a swim in the Beloit swimming pool located on the grounds.
A private biking and hiking trail is open year-round to the public, with permission, at the farm of Doug & Tracey Palen.  Located approximately 12 miles south of Glen Elder, and 8 miles east of Tipton, the trails include the:
  • Joy course route that winds through four miles of creek timberland, and the...
  • Glory course, a nine mile single-track route stretching through cropland, pastures and more difficult timber. ​
For permission to ride the trails call:: 
The Palen Bike Trails are also noted for their annual Cruise the Blues biking event held each August.