The fun, but tongue-twisty task of speaking “Cuivre River” won’t be the only enjoyment on this 7.4 mile hike as the Cuivre River South Loop Trail offers unobstructed bluff views and a rugged Ozark mountain feel that’s rare in the predominantly agricultural landscape of northern Missouri.

Today I’m hiking Swimming Deer Trail at St. Francois State Park just outside of Bonne Terre, Missouri about an hour south of St. Louis. Swimming Deer Trail may not offer the best bluff views in Missouri, but it is a Missouri hiking trail that offers several unobscured bluff views of the Big River.

Located about an hour south of St. Louis in Washington State Park, Rockywood Trail is a roughly 6 mile loop trail featuring beautiful Missouri bluff views overlooking the Big River, the oak and hickory forest of the Washington State Park Hardwood Natural Area, and classic Missouri glades.

Hike to some of the best Missouri bluff views on the Lewis and Clark Trail in Weldon Spring Conservation Area. With its proximity to St. Louis and multiple amazing bluff views of the Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark Trail is one of the best St. Louis day hikes.

Today I head an hour west of St. Louis to Klondike Park in St. Charles County Missouri to hike Hogsback Trail which is a 1.5 mile loop trail I was hoping would have good cliff views… it did not.

Today I explore the 1.2 mile hike from the Taum Sauk summit, Missouri’s highest point, to Mina Sauk Falls. This beautiful waterfall is a great St. Louis day hike only about 2hrs from the city.

Hiking a 10 mile loop from Russell Mountain to Taum Sauk, Missouri’s highest point. On the hike I learned about the Highpointers Club founded by “Guru Jakk” Longacre and stumbled upon several surprises including Taum Sauk Tower, which was awesome!

Hiking a 3.8 mile loop in Forest 44 Conservation Area near St. Louis. Forest 44 is right beside Kraus Farms Equestrian Center so all the trails are open to horseback riding. We saw several horses on our hike, and I have a good feeling anyone would when hiking these trails.

Awesome winter hike of Labarque Hills Trail in Don Robinson State Park featuring a frozen creek, icicles, and the beautiful Missouri outdoors.

I get out early and hike Lone Wolf Trail in Castlewood State Park. At 2.1 miles Lone Wolf is the shortest trail I’ve hiked at Castlewood, and while I was skeptical at first by the end I was won over and wishing it was longer. One again, Castlewood did not disappoint.