Weaving Through the Countryside on the Katy Trail
Machens, Missouri
Katy Trail
Distance: 240 miles
The Katy Trail begins on the banks of the Mississippi River at Machens, just outside St. Louis, and runs 240 miles across Missouri to Clinton. Built on the corridor of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, it is said to be the longest developed rail-trail in the country.
From Machens, the trail follows the Missouri River valley, weaving through farmland and small river towns. The limestone bluffs rise almost immediately, towering over the path as it traces the bends of the river. Towns such as Augusta and Defiance appear in quick succession, each with wineries and cafes. Hermann comes a little further west, a German-settled community that has turned into one of the most popular trail towns, with restaurants, inns, and wineries.
Cliffhanger along the Missouri
Along the section between Hermann and Rocheport, the Katy passes directly beneath the cliffs that edge the Missouri River, with water on one side and sheer limestone on the other. Rocheport features an old stone railroad tunnel and a small downtown. From there, the trail continues west toward Jefferson City, where a spur crosses the bridge into the capital, with the dome of the state capitol rising over the river.
Booneville, with its historic steel bridge that once carried trains, gives riders a commanding view of the river. Beyond Booneville, the trail begins to leave the Missouri’s banks and presses into more open farmland. Sedalia is the largest town on this stretch and a hub for trail services, its old depot restored as a welcome center for cyclists.
Along the final miles into Clinton, the countryside broadens into prairie and there are fewer towns along the way. The end point comes at a depot on the edge of Clinton, marked by trail signs.
The surface throughout is crushed limestone, firm and generally fast, though softer after rains. The flat grade makes it rideable for cyclists of varying abilities. Flooding along the river can close sections, and summer heat can make the exposed farmland stretches uncomfortable.
Cycling in Missour,i across the land and history
The Katy Trail is a cross-section of Missouri, connecting river towns, farm communities, and state landmarks. From the bluffs of the Missouri River to the open prairie near Clinton, it is a ride that moves with the land, the river, and the history that shaped them both. Check here for feedback and more from rider experiences on the trail.
Photo © RuralResurrection — CC BY 4.0
Hit the Katy Trail with this great guidebook!
A Missouri bike trail that rolls through the Rocheport Tunnel.
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