Explore the best rated trails in Columbia, MO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Stinson Creek Trail and Katy Trail State Park . With more than 12 trails covering 277 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Sure the Katy Trail is very long with some scenic parts but it is no GAP/C&O Canal Towpath. I rode every mile as part of my Astoria to Pittsburgh cross-country ride. Clinton to Boonville had interesting ups and downs but the surface needs a resurface all too much of the way, especially on slopes. Seems they use a different crushed limestone than they do in the east and it just doesn't compact as well. If you ride Boonville to Jefferson City, you've seen the best part. Jeff City to the eastern end is just more of the same for another 150 miles. Access to services was a problem, especially in the east although a do strongly recommend staying at Joey's Birdhouse in McKittrick. If you play the internet right, you can get a cheap room at the plush casino hotel in Boonville.
In my opinion this is really one of the benchmarks that other trails in the Midwest and nation should look towards when designing their own trails. Not everything on the KATY trail is perfect but when you combine the length of the trail with the services and available activities it is really hard to beat a few days riding the KATY trail. Not many trails in the nation are able to provide an experience like the KATY.
Monitor trail closures / conditions ahead of time and be sure to plan for gaps in water. You get spoiled thinking all trailheads will have water but some do not.
Has hills Nice views with cool bridges one of are first we did will try again when get better at bicycle
We took the week and rode the whole thing. So much fun and very rewarding. There are a few places with ruts from rain and wear on the trail but plenty of crews out doing improvements and they are fairly well marked. Can’t wait to do it again.
I rode from Frontier park in St Charles to Defiance and back and thoroughly enjoyed the Katy trail. The trail was well maintained overall with a few spots of looser gravel around construction near St Charles. The rest of the trail was hard packed and a great surface for riding. Had lunch at the Defiance Ridge Winery not far off the trail. There is a sign on the trail pointing you in the right direction. They had great food with lots of variety. Enjoyed the peacefulness of the trail and the glimpses of the Missouri River. There were quite a few people out on the trail on a Friday morning and early afternoon.
Rode 15 miles east from Rocheport and then back for a total of 30 miles in Sept 2022. Weekday ride with a few other riders around. Trail is in great shape and very much worth the trip. Surprisingly my wife saw 5 snakes and I saw 1 along our out and back. All were small and hopefully harmless (we didn't stick around to find out).
Lunch at the Meriwether Cafe was nice for us too. All in all that section of the Katy Trail was worth the visit. We are east coasters and targeted this trail for our vacation.
We live 10 miles from the Clinton trailhead as such we ride it often. We have risen rails to trails in many states. Shot of being concrete one of the best. Crushed limestone is the next best and they do a fr job of maintenance. Come to Missouri and enjoy a great trail
As a trucker I decided to get back into cycling and I’ve read and watched videos about this trail. Ran across it unintentionally and rode about 3 miles of it. Just a nice Amazing trail. To bad I don’t have time to ride more of it.
rode entire trail in August heat!! used shuttle services in St. Charles and Jefferson City(red wheel bike shop) . worked out great!! Trail around St. Charles under repair after recent flooding but can get through it. Jefferson City to Boonville the nicest section. From Boonville to Sedalia it seemed uphill for the first 4 miles out of Boonville!! Because of the time of year, there were very few other bikers. Nice little stops along the way with information boards-lot of history. Great memories!!!
July 15 - 18, 2022 - I did a solo bike packing ride starting in St Charles and heading west. I rode approximately 120 miles each day. Day 1 was St Charles to Hartsburg on Friday. Lots of places to stop to eat and refill water. Trail was in great shape. Day 2 was Hartsburg to Clinton. Once you cross the river the trail is not well maintained until about Sedalia. Day 3 was Clinton back to Hartsburg. Day 4 was Hartsburg to St Charles. Everything is closed on Monday so this was a harder day with only a couple of stops. Overall a great experience and I would recommend this trail!
This was a great ride. We went through the only original tunnel on the trail built in 1893. We had lunch at the Meriwether Cafe. Trail is in great condition and Boonville has a beautiful depot, gift shop,, and museum.
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