After riding and inspecting a fairly new natural rail to the trail that has one end in Topika, I found three other urban routes nearby. They are described below.
- Nature Trail Landona
- Shunga Trail
- Trail Deer Creek
- Shawnee Trail Lake
1. Landona Nature Trail (10 miles) This railway route (still under development to the south) begins on 15th and Monroe Street, next to the historic building of the Education Council in Brown and the public park. Basically, this trail runs from north to south and will be 38 miles long when it is completed on the Lomax Junction to the west of Pomona, KS. Although this trail is built primarily with private donors, it is conducted under the Kansa Railway Guard , Topeka takes care of the territory within its city.
Its first mile from 15th to 25th street is a two-story concrete. From there it becomes quite rough about 3 miles, with a mixed surface of dirt, grass, sand, stone and crushed granite rock. Obviously, this section is so arranged, because three short walking bridges over the bridge have not yet been completed. The fourth is over. However, this section is passable. Current plans are to lay another mile of this section.
This section ends at the intersection of Terra and Sanneman Drives dead ends (around 50th St.). From there, the surface becomes quite smooth (packed mud-limestone-gravel) to Crocco Rda near 77th Street. This 6-mile stretch of rides is fun and easy. Any large crushed rock was graded at the edges of the trail. Then, on Croco Road, a prominent NO TRESPASSING sign blocks further southward traffic ( temporarily closed during development ). This section goes to Lake Clinton, where there are many deer, turkey and other wild animals.
Landon is a truly natural route outside of urban areas. Several bridges cross streams, ditches and wetlands. Various plants and bushes fill the corridor, which sometimes makes the path quite narrow. You can also see a lot of squirrels, rabbits and birds.
However, the real trailheads are scarce, with the exception of Brown v. Board Ed. Corp. (toilets), Herrman at 53rd Street, a kiosk in Berryton and parking near Croco Road. Cozy rooms are available in public parks and locations along South Kansas Avenue and Topeka Avenue, which borders the western side of the trail for the first 5 miles, until the trail slopes southeast to Lake Clinton. Two convenience stores are also located next to the path on 37th and 45th streets. To be safe, riders must carry their food and water for these items.
2 Shunga Trail (7 mi) This seven-mile east-west route crosses Landon two blocks south of 15th Street through a paved roundabout. Easy to take from Landon or vice versa. Its bivalve path runs along the northern side of the highly enriched Shunganung brook, which winds through several well-equipped parks, grassy pastures and flower gardens. Most of this trail exists on the western side of Landona, where it has at least three tropical fountains. It also runs along any busy main streets, thoroughfares and level crossings. The western end comes off on the opposite side of Crestview Park on Fairlawn Road (about 28th Street). Nearby there are places for food, such as fast food, barbecue, hamburgers, deli and bagels.
3 Deer Creek Route (1 to 2 miles) This short two-way path runs east of Golden Avenue and then goes south to 6th Street. This route is just 1 1/2 kilometers from the northeast end of Shunga on 10th Street and three miles north of the dam of Lake Shawnee and its surrounding trail. Thus, riders can perform all these routes at the same time with the minimum riding experience. Riders can also load their bikes into their vehicles and, if desired, ride each one separately.
4. Shawnee Trail Lake (7 mi) This seven-mile triple trail borders Lake Shawnee and its golf course. Thus, it has numerous curves and small rolling hills. One hill on the south side is rather steep, but also short. Bathrooms on the main highway, located in 1/4-mile south-western part of the dam, are open all year round with running water and heat. So, this is the perfect trail to use with Shung and Deer Creek when deep snow is on the ground. The city cleans them.
There are many waterbirds and red squirrels in this trail, which are often seen and, possibly, fed by park visitors. Cafe (fast, pizza, barbecue, Mexican, coffee) also exist on the northeast side of the trail, in the shopping lanes around the 29th and Croco Road, near the eastern end of the dam.
Thus, cyclists can ride each of these routes individually or immediately to everyone. Many ride them in both directions. If each is performed separately in both directions, the total distance is 50 miles. If they are made collectively through several streets, the total distance is 60 miles. All these trails are open to the public, free of charge. That alone is worth it.
See the following sites for more information on Topeka or Kansas routes.
