On a beautiful November day we 65 yr olds started at Augusta trailhead, and rode about 10 miles to Washington MO on the south side of the MO river for lunch and shopping. (Its a great little town, with Amtrak service and some lodging options within half mile of downtown) I wanted readers to be aware of the hazard of biking between Washington MO and the closest KATY trailhead at Dutzow MO. Although there is a new highway bridge crossing the MO river at Washington with a protected bike lane, this Dutzow-Washington route requires biking on a narrow shoulder of a very busy highway 47 for 3 miles. I recommend as an alternative, using the Augusta Bottoms Road for about 3 miles, which connects the north end of the river bridge with the KATY trail at mile 70.5, approximately 3.5 miles east of Dutzow. For those coming westbound from the St. Louis area, this road is a great shortcut to Washington. For those coming eastbound from Sedalia/ Boonville/Jeff City, this route will add about 3.5 miles to your ride to Washington, but may save your life. This makes it easier to incorporate AMTRAK into your plans, where you can ride the train and bike the KATY between river towns Washington, Hermann, and Jefferson City and the town of Sedalia where no river crossing is needed. You can cross the river safely at Jefferson City by protected bike trail from North Jefferson trailhead. Between Hermann MO and the McKittrick trailhead, the river bridge has a protected bike lane, but you have to bike about 1.5 miles on a wide paved shoulder on highway 19. As of this writing, there is only one eastbound and one westbound AMTRAK train per day between St. Louis and Kansas City that stops at the above-named towns, but when the COVID issue gets resolved, AMTRAK could resume 2 trains per day each way. I believe the AMTRAK charge for hauling a bike is an additional $10 above your ticket price.

Missouri's Katy trail is a well maintained fine gravel trail, well compacted in most places, so you could use a road bike, but slightly wider tires would be better. We're in our 60's and like to ride up to 25 miles/day, with a lunch break before returning to the car. We've found three such rides in mid MO with simple dining options within a few blocks of the trail. Before taking these trips, call ahead to verify that restaurants are open when you plan to bike. 1) park the car at Boonville trailhead, (where there is a nice museum) and ride to Pilot Grove, one way distance about 11.5 miles, where there is a small cafe (Katarina's) a few blocks Sw of trailhead, open typically until about 2PM. The ride is mostly a gentle grade uphill from Boonville, where you leave the MO River valley and enter the great plains; this is the steepest section of the Katy trail. It is a mostly shaded route, with nice forest canopy. 2) For a weekend trip, park the car in downtown Jefferson City near the river bridge. Bike across the river on the safe bike lane, down the spiral ramp and bike across the river valley to the North Jefferson trailhead, then head west to Claysville Store, a block off the trail, where you can get a nice family style meal or sandwiches. Open typically weekends only with limited hours, best to call ahead for reservation. One way distance about 12.5 miles. This section of trail has lots of open farmland with some canopy cover. 3) Park car at McBaine trailhead just off Highway K, about 14 miles SW of Columbia, head west. This segment passes through some of the best scenery the Katy has to offer in Missouri. After about 1.5 miles, at a highway crossing look west into the farmland, see the largest bur oak tree in MO. Go visit it, its a monster! Within a few miles you will be under some deep forest canopy, then pass under high bluffs right next to the trail, then enjoy a good stretch along the Missouri river with benches where you can stop and watch the river. Lunch at Meriwethers cafe in Rocheport right on the trail. Before returning to the car, ride around Rocheport, a cute town with B&B's, go an additional half mile west on the trail thru the only tunnel on the Katy Trail. Total distance is about 19 miles round trip. If you're a long distance rider, in 2020 there are a few problems on Missouri's Katy Trail- there's a bridge washed out a few miles west of Rocheport with a somewhat-marked detour on a highway, and east of Jefferson City there is a big rockslide blocking the trail- the trail is officially closed there but you can walk a bike through a path around it. Recumbants or trailers may be more difficult to get through. Check with the Missouri State Park website or bike stores in Jefferson City or Washington MO for more details.

Just rode this trail from end to end. The trail is mostly well maintained, with just a few rough spots (some cracks and tree roots in places). There are a few simple road crossings, with little to no car traffic at the crossings. When you get to the eastern end, use caution, because there is a nice downgrade just before the last 200 feet or so, which is uphill. Problem is, near the bottom of the downgrade, the trail is covered in very loose sand mixed with gravel. Recipe for disaster if you hit it too fast. Probably best to just turn around and skip the last quarter mile or so. There is some nice rolling hills and one steep but short climb heading eastward. Nothing difficult at all. While this is by no means a destination trail, it is a decent way to kill an hour if you’re anywhere nearby. The trail was mostly deserted for the entire length today, but that may be different when college is in session. The trail is easy to get to from anywhere in Warrensburg.

We rode entire trail, trail info Windsor,Leeton has flush toilets. Medford has nice pit toilet. Chilhowee and pleasant hill has port a potty’s Windsor , Leeton and Medford has water at trailheads. Windsor lots of food choices. Leeton a cafe. Chilhowee was supposed to have a little store but we didn’t stop so can’t confirm Good level trail, except for some wash outs and some cracks trail was food. A little vegetation creeping up. Medford to pleasant hill there is no support or supplier so be prepared. On the up side you are out with no traffic Hope this helps you plan¿¿¿¿

I rode this all the time during college at Mizzou. It’s beautiful, well kept, and never gets old. Worked great for my hybrid bike, never had any trouble. The parts further from town are far less crowded with people and have the prettiest views in my opinion. Love how it connects with the Katy Trail at the end.

Beautiful views, flat, and great quality trail made from crushed limestone. Works great with our hybrid bikes. My favorite stretch is from Defiance to Hermann. Some great places to stop along the way. It connects with the MKT in Columbia and you can ride all the way into town if you’re over on that side. Beautiful top notch trail.

A friend told us about this trail and it did not disappoint. Lots of little side adventures all around the nature areas. Highly recommend.

So well maintained. The concrete two mile trail provides easy neighborhood access to the MKT Trail and Twin Lakes Park. Lots of nice people around.

I did some research bout trails in Missouri and came across Katy trail I wanted to see where it starts so today I rode from st Charles to Machens bout 20 miles if you count mileage back to my car it was a nice ride I'm interested in completing the trail one day soon