The Glade Top Trail is a spectacular drive of over 23 miles on unpaved roads within 60 miles of Springfield and Branson. It’s especially worth visiting in the fall.
The Glade Top Trail is Missouri’s only National Forest Scenic Byway. The 23-mile trail runs through narrow ridge tops above the surrounding countryside. Along the trail there are seven overlooks with off road stopping places providing panoramic views that reach to the Springfield Plateau twenty miles to the northwest and forty miles south to the Boston Mountains in Arkansas.
While it is not a recognised hiking or backpacking route, as it is in the Mark Twain national Forest there is no reason why you couldn’t use this route as an access point for some serious bushwhacking.
View Glade Top Trail – Mark Twain National Forest – Taney County & Ozark County Missouri in a larger map
You can read more about the Glade Top trail on the US Forest Department website
Glade Top Trail – Fall 2009 Photographs
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Getting to the Glade Top Trail
Start of the Glade Top Trail From Highway 125
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Start of the Glade Top Trail from Highway 95
View Glade Top Trail – Mark Twain National Forest – Taney County & Ozark County Missouri in a larger map
Highway A Junction with Highway 5
View Glade Top Trail – Mark Twain National Forest – Taney County & Ozark County Missouri in a larger map