Riding the Katy trail during a bicycle touring adventure

The Katy Trail is America’s longest rails-to-trails project, stretching 225 miles (365 km) across the state of Missouri. Over half the trail follows Lewis and Clark’s route up the Missouri River, offering scenic views along the river banks and under towering limestone bluffs. The rest of the Katy Trail wanders through peaceful farmland and small towns. The trail takes riders through Missouri’s wine country, where you can sample the wares of several wineries just off the trail.

Many riders use the Katy Trail for day trips, while others ride the entire trail end to end over the course of several days. Cutting east-west through the center of the U.S., the Katy Trail is a popular part of many cross-country tours. In fact, the Katy Trail has been incorporated into both Adventure Cycling’s Lewis and Clark route, as well as the American Discovery Trail.

Cross-country tourists look forward to the Katy’s scenic beauty and a 225 mile break from cars.

The surface of the Katy Trail is crushed limestone, sometimes called “pug” or “chat”. This material packs hard, and does not show signs of softness unless there has been a substantial amount of rainfall. However, most riders do experience slightly slower speeds on this surface than when riding on pavement (or maybe they’re just slowing down to take in the view).

The Katy Trail follows the old MKT Railroad route, which has two important implications for tourists. First, the trail is quite flat, since the railroads sought to avoid hills. And second, towns are located along the trail every five to ten miles on average. Railroads were planned with towns at regular intervals. You won’t necessarily find businesses in every town, but for the most part you will not have to go for long stretches without access to trail services.

A picture of an old iron bridge on the Katy Trail.

A cyclist riding the Katy trail. Photo by Bill Grant.

As you might expect from such a popular trail, there are many businesses along the Katy Trail that cater to cyclists. Trailside camping is not allowed, but there are some twenty campgrounds and camp-friendly parks along the trail. Or if you’re looking for comfort, the Katy Trail offers more than thirty bed and breakfasts.

Ten bike shops appear on or near the trail. Visit the Katy Trail website for listings of all of these businesses, as well as restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, restrooms, and many other services along the Katy Trail.

Many of the cycling-oriented businesses along the Katy Trail are closed November through April, although enough businesses remain open that tours can be accomplished with some advance planning.

Autumn is the most popular time on the trail, due to cooler weather and spectacular fall foliage. If touring in the summer, be prepared for temperatures in the 90 farenheit/30 celsius degree range and bring lots of water!

Most Katy Trail travelers say the best thing about the trail, even better than the mighty Missouri River, is the fellow cyclists that they meet there.

Depending on what time of year you ride you are likely to encounter other touring cyclists from all over the United States and even from other countries.

Nothing compares to swapping stories with fellow travelers around the campsite, or over a beer at a country tavern.

Come make your 225 miles of memories on Missouri’s Katy Trail!

Sunrise near Marthasville.
Notice the crushed limestone surface of the trail.
Photo by Brad Wilson.

Resources

For Katy Trail maps, business listings, event listings, a comment/question forum, an interactive trip planner, and more, visit the Katy Trail website.