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Trail is interesting and well maintained. The bridge that was causing a detour is now open as of last week. We ate at the general store in Rocheport, delightful.
Who would guess that a ride in the middle of August in the middle of Missouri would be so spectacular? The Katy Trail’s inclusion in the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame is totally deserved. While we only had time to ride a small stretch of the 240-mile trail that bisects the state, if the rest of trail is anything like what we experienced midway, it’s not to be missed. As of 2021, it’s also the longest continuous rail-trail, built upon the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT) or the Katy, for short.
We chose to put in close to Rt. 70 near the northern-most point of the trail in the tiny but picturesque town of Rocheport, population 244. The trail is the main attraction in Rocheport; signage was clear, there was a nice parking lot, a cute depot with restrooms, and a great little café called Meriweather just steps away from the trail.
Heading east, on our right was the broad and beautiful Missouri River. Every mile or so, we passed inviting benches that faced the yawning expanse. The trail itself was wide and the packed gravel and dirt made for easy pedaling. Towering above us were dramatic sandstone, limestone and granite bluffs, at times reaching up nearly 75 feet. Caves could be seen embedded in the stone and occasional signs warned us not to stop for the next quarter mile where falling rocks were a threat.
There appeared to be three levels of terrain along this portion of the trail – the water level, the trail level, then the top of the bluffs level. We passed only a few others the whole time we were on the trail.
There is winery within walking distance of the trail or a popular brewery in nearby Columbia for celebrating a great ride!
Fun trail. Rode BAM from Clinton to St. Charles pre-Covid. Looking forward to doing again.
Well-maintained crushed limestone. No problem even for a road bike.
We have ridden the trail over 25 years, camping along the trail using the Katy Trail Guide Book. We just camped at the Katy Roundhouse this fall and rode west the first day, and east to Rocheport and beyond the second day. We were very disappointed to find that because a bridge was out we had to ride on Highway 40, for over 2 miles, with cars and trucks speeding along at 50 to 60 miles per hour, and not slowing or giving a wide berth at all. We were on trikes, so felt very vulnerable, but met other users who were not happy about the situation either. Had there been a warning about this situation, we would have trucked the bikes over to Rocheport.
We rode this trail from the Daniel Boone Bridge (I-64) to St Charles for lunch at the Bike Stop Cafe. The trail is well maintained and is shaded by trees most of the way. The section adjacent to Greens Bottom Rd is exposed (no shade, except late afternoon). The trail is EASY to follow and is pretty level. The city of St Charles has businesses close to the trail.
My family of 4 did 9 miles on the Katy Trail starting at Cooper’s Landing. It was well maintained, a great combo of tree cover/no tree cover, and I could have stopped for photo opt after photo opt! Beautiful trail!!! Coopers landing was a great stop with yummy food trucks and terrific people watching!
Great ride from Columbia. Loose chat and gravel, so best for fat tires, gravel bikes, cross bikes, or hybrids with larger tires. Great fall trail. Stop off in Rocheport for lunch!
In the fall of 2011 I rode this trail on loaded bike from St Louis to Clinton on my cross country trip from SC to Phoenix, AZ. Yesterday on auto trip east from Phoenix I stopped in Boonville, got a room at Hotel Frederick, right on the trail in Boonville. I rode my E-trike, a Hase Kettwiesel, 25 miles out and back toward Sedalia mid afternoon. The next morning before checking out I rode another 20 miles out and back toward St.Louis.Later in the day I Stopp again to ride from Augusta to Dutzow. The Katy trail is in great shape.miles out and back
In the fall of 2011 I rode this trail on loaded bike from St Louis to Clinton on my cross country trip from SC to Phoenix, AZ. Yesterday on auto trip east from Phoenix I stopped in Boonville, got a room at Hotel Frederick, right on the trail in Boonville. I rode my E-trike, a Hase Kettwiesel, 25 miles out and back toward Sedalia mid afternoon. The next morning before checking out I rode another 20 miles out and back toward St.Louis.Later in the day I Stopp again to ride from Augusta to Dutzow. The Katy trail is in great shape.miles out and back
I personally have had a rough go of things these past couple of months, so I’ve taken to walking as a moving meditation practice, especially in the early am or late evening. I’m fairly new to this area. This spur is a wonderful trail to walk, peaceful enough, and not so far out that I feel like I’m trekking cross country. Signage could be a smidge better but other than that, no complaints here!
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