The mile-long Old Chain of Rocks Bridge 60-feet above the Mississippi River with a 30-degree turn midway was my quest today. This bridge is historical since it once was part of a stretch of historic U.S. Route 66 and is at a major point along the Mississippi River near rock ledges that once created dangerous rapids for riverboats. Driving To Old Chain of Rocks Bridge…
Pickle Springs Natural Area is a two-mile hike that highlights some of the best of the Missouri Ozarks. It has wet weather waterfalls, springs, sandstone rock formations, and even views of the surrounding mountains. Natural History of Pickle Springs The sandstone rock here was formed from the sandy beaches of a shallow ocean that existed here 500 million years ago. Since then, years of erosion…
Forested ravines with creek views can be found at Pleasant Ridge Park just north of St. Clair Square Mall in Fairview Heights.
Flynn Park, in University City, Missouri, is surrounded by Tudor- and brick-style homes and filled with large, leafy trees. I explored several paved paths and sidewalks around Flynn Park, taking in different parts of the park and the neighborhood. The walk was 1.2 miles long with 66 feet of elevation gain. You can make it shorter by just walking through the park. First Park Walk…
Walking the Riparian Trail in Chesterfield takes you through woods, past lakes, and along streams and by a playground. This walk includes the Riparian Trail, a paved path around a lake, and part of the Central Park Trail. It mostly involves paved trails, with a section of the Riparian Trail unpaved. The paved sections are stroller-friendly. The hike covers 1.8 miles and gains 92 feet…
Smelling the aroma of freshly baked bread in the morning and seeing the red, white, and green colors of the Italian flag filled my walk through The Hill neighborhood, starting at Berra Park. This is St. Louis’ Italian neighborhood. I walked about a mile along the sidewalks through The Hill neighborhood and around Berra Park, which allowed me to see several sites in the area….
Take a walk along Shady Grove Creek to see a small waterfall and a rain garden full of blossoms at Larson Park in Webster Groves. The walk is about 0.7 miles long, mostly on natural surfaces, with two loops along mowed paths and about 20 feet of elevation gain. Start of the Walk I parked at the Larson Park South Entrance lot. If it has…
Start your day on the Meramec Greenway at George Winter Park, where you can walk along the Meramec River and through the river town of Fenton, Missouri. The route covers 8.3 miles and gains 113 feet of elevation. The hike was shorter for me since I didn’t go through Fenton City Park twice. You’ll walk on asphalt trails, sidewalks, and some road sections. Depending on…
Near Don Robinson State Park, you can visit the Black Madonna Shrine, famous for its colorful rock sculptures. Rockford Beach along the Big River is located nearby and is perfect for a short walk or a picnic. HISTORY OF THE BLACK MADONNA SHRINE In 1927, John J. Glennon, Archbishop of St. Louis, requested that a group of Franciscans come from Poland to establish a nursing…
On the LaBarque Hills Trail in Don Robinson State Park, you’ll see eroded cliffs and clear pools surrounded by sandstone canyons. The trail itself is listed at 2.4 miles, but with the walk from the parking lot and some side trips to canyon views, I ended up hiking 3.1 miles with 423 feet of elevation gain. Start of the Hike I parked in the paved…
