Take a scenic ride through the northeastern corner of Kansas as we follow Kansas Highway K-7 from just west of Troy to the Nebraska state line. This 17-mile stretch is part of the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway, winding through river plains, agricultural heartlands, and wooded bluffs—all culminating in a dramatic overlook of four states at once. Our journey unfolds along a quiet but beautiful corridor that captures the character of the Missouri River Valley and the communities it has shaped for generations.
We begin just northwest of Troy, the Doniphan County seat and a community steeped in frontier history. After turning onto K-7 from a local connector near the unincorporated crossroads of Fanning, the road sets a gentle course to the northwest. The scenery quickly becomes a familiar Kansas blend of wide-open farmland—golden fields, neat rows of corn and soybeans, and the occasional barn punctuating the horizon. The route rolls gently over low rises, giving us long, uninterrupted views of the countryside. We pass through Fanning, a modest hamlet nestled in the floodplain, and from here, the road becomes a quiet ribbon threading its way toward the wooded hills near the river.
As we draw closer to the Missouri River, the terrain gradually shifts. The open farmland gives way to denser stands of trees, and K-7 begins to follow the contours of the bluffs. The curves become more pronounced, signaling our approach to White Cloud, a small town with a rich cultural legacy. Entering the town, we pass the White Cloud Elevator, a towering structure that once symbolized the agricultural lifeblood of the community. The highway slows as it threads through this sleepy river town, where time feels like it moves just a bit more gently. Here, K-7 briefly shares the spotlight with history and heritage—the town is part of the Ioway Nation’s reservation lands, and its location on the bluff made it a historic port during the steamboat era.
Just past downtown White Cloud, we reach one of the route’s crowning jewels: the Four State Lookout. Perched on the bluff above the river, this spot offers panoramic views of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa—a rare intersection of geography and perspective. It’s a fitting finale for the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway, which takes its name from the ancient glacial activity that carved the terrain. From here, the road drops gently toward the river and reaches the Nebraska state line, where K-7 quietly transitions into Nebraska Highway 67. Our Kansas journey ends not with a flourish, but with a sense of quiet wonder, as we cross into another state at the confluence of land, water, and history.
This route, though short, offers a compelling glimpse into the natural beauty and layered past of northeastern Kansas. It’s a journey best taken slowly, with the windows down and eyes open—not just to the landscape, but to the quiet stories it tells.
This video was originally produced in collaboration with CrossCounty Travelers, a now-retired travel group.
🗺️ Route Map
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