Easy hikes and walks around Picher
4.4
(229)
955
hikers
79
hikes
Easy hiking trails around Picher are not available due to severe environmental contamination and physical hazards. The region, a former lead and zinc mining hub, is characterized by extensive mining waste known as "chat piles" and land undermined by subsurface excavations. These chat piles are composed of toxic materials, and local waterways are heavily contaminated. The ground is unstable, with significant cave-in risks from abandoned mine shafts, making the area unsuitable and dangerous for outdoor activities. Picher is part of…
Last updated: July 28, 2026
7
hikers
4.21km
01:04
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
7
hikers
5.31km
01:21
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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7.81km
01:59
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
hikers
7.12km
01:47
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
hikers
4.50km
01:08
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Tips from the Community
A rather interesting fish ladder on the Sude River
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The village of Kirch-Jesar is more than 700 years old; the name Jesar is likely derived from Slavic and means "lake." As early as the 14th century, a chapel stood in Kirch-Jesar, which presumably fell into disrepair after the Thirty Years' War. In 1717, the Duke of Mecklenburg's court marshal, Johann Christoph von Halberstadt, had the new church built in a simple style. The wood-clad tower with its slate roof was not added until 1847, as was the interior. A few years later, a bell from a workshop in Wismar was added. In 1881, the church received an organ by master organ builder Johann Heinrich Runge. The gallery had to be specially lowered to accommodate the instrument. Around 1913, the painter Willi Schomann, originally from Parchim, created the mural "The Last Judgment" on the choir wall. The church is Protestant and belongs to the Kirch-Jesar parish.
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The church was built in 1717 as a simple rectangular building with a half-timbered frame made of oak and clinker brick panels on behalf of the Mecklenburg court marshal Johann Christoph von Halberstadt. The tower in front was built in 1847, the pulpit altar and the wall stand in the figure Wilder Mann also date from this time. A painting on the east wall from 1913 shows the Last Judgment, the Runge organ was built in 1881. The writer and freedom fighter Theodor Körner probably wrote his last letter from Kirch Jesar. https://www.stiftung-kiba.de/kirchen/dorfkirche-kirch-jesar
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The striking half-timbered church is a building from the 18th century. The interior, tower, organ and bell date from the second half of the 19th century. The village of Kirch-Jesar is more than 700 years old, the part of the name Jesar is probably derived from the Slavic and means "lake". As early as the 14th century there was a chapel in Kirch-Jesar, which probably fell into disrepair after the Thirty Years' War. In 1717, the ducal-Mecklenburg court marshal Johann Christoph von Halberstadt had the new church built in a simple style. The wood-clad tower with its slate roof was not built until 1847, as was the interior. A few years later, a bell from a workshop in Wismar was added. In 1881 the church received an organ from master organ builder Johann Heinrich Runge. The gallery had to be specially lowered so that the instrument could fit in. Around 1913, the painter Willi Schomann, who came from Parchim, created the mural "The Last Judgment" on the choir wall. The young painter was known for his paintings in churches, for example in the Marienkirche in Parchim the outer facade was renewed, the tower roof and the organ could also be repaired.Further renovation measures on the building are necessary and are supported by donations and a support association. https://www.auf-nach-mv.de/travel destinations/a-dorfkirche-kirch-jesar
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Large playground near Moraas, ideal for a break in between.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any easy hiking trails directly in Picher, Oklahoma?
No, Picher, Oklahoma, is not suitable for hiking. The area is a former mining town with severe environmental contamination and physical hazards, including extensive heavy metal pollution and unstable ground from subsurface mining. The municipality was officially dissolved due to these risks, and the land is considered uninhabitable.
Is it safe to hike or explore the Picher area?
It is not safe to hike or explore the Picher area. Decades of mining have left the land undermined and prone to collapse, creating numerous sinkholes. The area is part of the Tar Creek Superfund site, with highly toxic 'chat piles' and contaminated waterways, posing significant health risks.
What are 'chat piles' and why are they dangerous?
Chat piles are large mounds of mining waste, primarily from lead and zinc extraction, that are prevalent in Picher. They are highly toxic, saturated with heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Dust from these piles is hazardous, and direct contact or inhalation can lead to severe health issues.
Are there any family-friendly hiking options in Picher?
Due to the extreme environmental and physical dangers, there are no family-friendly or safe hiking options in Picher. The area is hazardous for all visitors, especially children, due to contamination and unstable ground.
Can I bring my dog on trails in Picher?
Bringing pets to Picher is strongly discouraged. The severe contamination and physical hazards, including toxic chat piles and sinkholes, pose significant risks to animals. There are no safe, marked trails for dog walking.
What kind of terrain can I expect if I were to visit Picher?
The terrain in Picher is characterized by large, toxic 'chat piles' and ground that is dangerously undermined by old mine shafts, leading to frequent sinkholes. The landscape is unstable and heavily contaminated, making it unsuitable for any outdoor recreational activity.
Are there any natural features or landmarks to see while hiking in Picher?
While the landscape of Picher is visually striking in its decay, its features are a testament to environmental disaster rather than natural beauty. The most prominent 'landmarks' are the toxic chat piles and abandoned structures, which are dangerous to approach. There are no safe natural features for exploration.
Where can I find safe easy hiking trails near Picher, Oklahoma?
For safe and enjoyable hiking experiences, consider exploring easy hiking trails near nearby towns. Options include areas around Miami, Oklahoma, or Joplin, Missouri, which offer established routes and amenities away from the hazards of Picher.
What is the best time of year to visit Picher for outdoor activities?
There is no safe or recommended time of year to visit Picher for outdoor activities. The environmental contamination and physical dangers are present year-round, making the area unsuitable for recreation at any time.
Are there any accommodations or services available in Picher?
No, Picher is a ghost town and was officially dissolved. There are no visitor services, accommodations, cafes, or public facilities available. The area was declared uninhabitable, and access is limited due to safety concerns.
What are the main dangers associated with the ghost town status of Picher?
The main dangers stem from the severe environmental contamination and physical instability. Buildings are undermined and prone to collapse, sinkholes are common, and the air can carry toxic dust from the chat piles. The area is effectively abandoned and unmaintained, increasing risks.
Can I access the former townsite of Picher?
While some ruins can be seen, direct access to many areas is limited and extremely dangerous. Visitors are strongly advised to respect private property and heavily restricted or dangerous zones due to the high risk of collapse, contamination, and sinkholes. There are no safe, designated visitor routes.
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