Commonly called the Bridal Loop Trail, this is a 9.7 mile loop trail around Wyandotte County Lake with an elevation gain of 1,289 ft. Looks like a good training trail!
A delightful quote from the Hiking Project: This trail was built long long ago with a bulldozer and a six pack.
This from AllTrails: This loop presents a healthy challenge for the weekend warrior. Along the trail you will encounter several different types of terrain. It is recommend equipping yourself with bug spray, hiking boots, and tall socks. The trail occasionally intersects with the main roads.
Warning! April 4, 2021 Comment from a hiker: Nothing really to look at, more of a challenge exercise. If it rained this would be a muddy trail. Crossing roads in some places are a challenge to find the trail back. The worse part is north West area you cross the road, do not follow what is in Alltrail, you will fight under brush. You do want to get onto the blue Mountain bike trail, I would suggest cross the road turn right and walk in grass for a while and then get on blue trail from grass. Most of trail is obvious but that area is confusing as is going below dam, I took the road at bottom you will cross into private property but can catch the trail again, or don’t go to bottom road walk on grass.
March 8, 2021 Comment from another hiker: Even as a seasoned hiker I had A LOT of trouble keeping track of this trail at road crossings. I lost it so often that eventually I just stayed on the road. It was not well maintained or marked. I definitely wish I would have gone somewhere else.
Information from The Hiking Project
Overview
The trail is legacy bridal trail build with no regard to sustainability or modern trail theory. The trail wanders around the perimeter of Wyandotte County Lake’s rolling hills and takes you straight up and straight down as many of them as you care to try.
Need to Know
Be prepared for anything and bring a friend. This trail is unforgiving and will do its best to send you home limping or worse. Do not cross the dam. When crossing at the bottom of the dam, stay on the gravel road, and it will connect you back to the trail.
Description
The Bridal Loop is an equestrian trail that allows runners, hikers, and MTBers. The loop is never officially closed and regardless of conditions or modern sustainability practices, draws hikers in all conditions. Expect steep climbs, steep descents, slick footing, lots of rocks, some shallow water crossings, and horse poop. This is not a trail for the beginner, but if you are in KC and want a challenge, this is your trail.
Flora & Fauna: Watch out for the stinging nettles at the bottom of the dam.
History & Background
This trail was built long long ago with a bulldozer and a six pack. There is no semblance of reason or modern design, and the trail has been used hard. It is in the worst of conditions and it shows, so be prepared for anything.
Contacts: Land Manager: Wyandotte County and City of Kansas City, KS – Parks and Recreation Shared By: Cliff Jones