St. Louis Running and Walking Trails



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ROCK HOLLOW TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: The trail is a route that was once carved out of the native rock to provide commercial access to a Meramec River crossing. Trees stressed by last summer's heat wave have dropped their leaves more quickly this year. This provides an opportunity to marvel at the other colors that live well into the autumn. Shiny-green ferns, bonsai-size evergreens and trees, red berries on bushes, late-blooming flowers and the diverse brown shades of the forest floor make for brilliant nature art. Also, the bare trees offer an opportunity for birdwatchers to map the number of birds nests, some enormous, to track the species when they return next year. Quick chipmunks, noisy squirrels, box turtles and other small critters play undisturbed close to the trail's edge among the rocks, downed logs and rocky creek beds. About midway, the trail opens into wide flatlands that are haven to wildflowers in the spring. The trail has emergency location markers, benches and more than a dozen short bridges.

WHY WE LIKE IT: Perfect for sightseeing, especially in the spring and fall.  This trail attaches Wildwood to the Al Foster Trail and eventually Castlewood State Park making this an endurance runners dream.  The route is easy, wide, well maintained and all asphalt so you don't have to worry about where you are running.  A big plus about this trail are its emergency markers and the benches lining the trail in case you need a quick breather or a place to stretch.

DIRECTIONS: From I-64/40 go to I-270 and head south.  Take Exit 9 towards Manchester Rd/Route 100 and head West.  Continue West until you get to Old State Rd and turn left. You will then turn left on Ridge Rd and parking/the trail will be on your right. From I-44 go to I-270 and head North.  Take Exit 9 towards Manchester Rd/Route 100 and head West.  Continue West until you get to Old State Rd and turn left. You will then turn left on Ridge Rd and parking/the trail will be on your right. Parking is in the adjacent Ridge Meadows Elementary School parking lot.

TRAIL MAP

DISTANCE: 2.3 miles point to point.  4.6 miles round trip. Up to 20 miles if connect to Al Foster and Castlewood trails.

TERRAIN: Paved, asphalt, wide.

RATING: Easy, but it's slightly downhill from the trailhead to the Meramec River and slightly uphill heading back to the entrance.