Lake Miola Trail
More than seven miles of trail encompasses Lake Miola, which is located on the northwest edge of Paola. There are also loops of trail near residential areas. Six trailheads offer parking, trash/recycling containers, and pet waste stations. Finishing touches are being made to the trail during the winter of 2018-19. Once completed, maps and detailed descriptions of the trail will be added to the trailhead kiosks.
In addition to seating at each trailhead, donor-sponsored benches are located along the trail to provide a place to sit and enjoy magnificent sunrises and sunsets, gentle breezes, or the cool shade provided by the woods on a hot day.
The main entrance to Lake Miola Park is at the intersection of 299th Street and West Lake Miola Drive. For simplicity, the following descriptions of sections of trail flow in a clockwise direction beginning at the aptly named West Miola Trailhead.
Trail Sections
West Miola Trailhead to Pirate Ship Trailhead (north)
Distance options:
East toward water’s edge: 1.5 mi.
Adjacent to West Lake Miola Drive: 1.35 mi.
West Miola Loop (north of kiosk): .6 mile
Surface: Limestone screening; some gravel through campgrounds
Trailhead location: Intersection of 299th Street and West Lake Miola Drive
Exposure: Primarily open to sun and lake breeze
Features:
Connects to public swimming beach
Campground road doubles as trail
Pirate Ship Trailhead to North Woods Trailhead (north)
Distance: .9 mile
Surface: Limestone screening; challenging topography
Trailhead location: North of campgrounds along West Lake Miola Drive
Exposure: Mix of sun and shade
Features:
Lions Club playground (portable toilet year-round)
International Park picnic area
Natural fishing piers
North Woods Trailhead to Lakeview Trailhead (east, then south)
Distance options:
Right at fork of Burr Oak Loop: 1.25 miles
Left at fork, adjacent to East Lake Miola Drive: 1.1 miles
Burr Oak Loop: 1.2 miles
Surface: Limestone screening; small section on asphalt
Trailhead location: Just south of 287th Street near the intersection of West Lake Miola Drive and East Lake Miola Drive
Exposure: Trail offers mix of sun and shade
Features: Low-water bridge crossing on asphalt doubles as trail
Lakeview Trailhead to East Miola Trailhead (south)
Distance: 1.5 miles
Surface: Limestone screening
Trailhead location: Near Lakeview Addition along East Lake Miola Drive
Exposure: Primarily open to sun
Features:
Lakeview picnic shelter
Scenic views
“Drive to” fishing areas that intersect trail
Street crossing over 299th
East Miola Trailhead to South Woods Trailhead (west)
Distance options:
Taking left fork of Spillway Loop: 1 mile
Taking right fork of Spillway Loop: .75 mile
Spillway Loop: .6 mile
Surface: Limestone screening; challenging topography
Trailhead location: At intersection of 299th Street and East Lake Miola Drive
Exposure: Mix of sun and shade; natural windbreak below dam
Features: Narrow steel bridge over spillway
South Woods Trailhead to West Miola Trailhead (north)
Distance: .5 mile
Surface: Limestone screening
Trailhead location: Along 299th Street, west of the dam
Exposure: Primarily open to sun and lake breeze
Features:
Two street crossings: 299th Street and road to boat dock
Restrooms near boat dock parking
There’s nothing like starting your day off with a brisk ride as the sun comes up over Lake Miola. Paola Pathways is a great asset for our community, and I hope everyone is enjoying it as much as I am.”
Trail Progress
See how Lake Miola Trail has come to life with this photo gallery: