05/17/2026
I checked out another Mid-Missouri trail today: The Runge Conservation Area Loop, at the Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City, Missouri. The loop is made up of four trails: Towering Oak, Moss Rock Trace, Raccoon Run and Bluestem Ridge. The trails are either paved or covered in ground/packed mulch, which makes them much less affected by recent rains. While the trail surface is easy to navigate, the constant elevation challenged me: lots of switchbacks and long steep hills. But that’s part of the fun, and makes me feel like I’ve been on a hike and not just a walk in the woods! I’d probably rate this trail as moderate, but I’m a novice hiker, your mileage may vary! 😁