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Katy Trail Guided Biking Tour

Cycle the nation’s longest rail-trail along Missouri’s Katy Trail State Park, where scenic riverfront paths, towering limestone bluffs, lush wine country, and deep-rooted Lewis and Clark history converge for a journey through the heart of America’s “Gateway to the West.”

Average Climate

Heat

No upcoming dates are currently available for this trip.

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Double Booking TBD

Single Booking TBD

Roommate Rebate TBD

Trip Type

Cycling

Difficulty Level

1

Trip Length

7 Days, 6 Nights

Distance

243 Miles
391.1 Kilometers

Meeting Time

Kansas City Airport 12:30 pm, Kansas City Hotel 1:00 pm, Clinton 3:30 pm

Drop-off Time

St. Louis Airport – 3 pm

Assembly Point

Clinton, MO

Inclusions

Includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, van shuttles, support van, leaders, Ride with GPS Experience, tour maps and narratives. 

Nearest Airport (start): Kansas City International Airport; Nearest Airport (end): St Louis Lambert International Airport Timberline van shuttle is included from Kansas City to Clinton, MO prior to tour and from St. Charles, MO to St. Louis following tour. 

Not included: Airline service; Guide Gratuity.

Hybrid bikes recommended.

Family Friendly

Have questions? We’re here to help! Call us at 303-664-8388 or reach out online.

Contact For Details

Katy Trail State Park

In 1986, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (also known as the Katy), ceased operation along its trans-Missouri route. After a protracted legal struggle, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources secured the abandoned right-of-way and created the Katy Trail State Park. Starting from the Clinton terminus, the Katy ranks as the nation’s longest rails-to-trails corridor.

Biking the Katy Trail in Missouri

Why do we find the Katy so intriguing? Scenically, the trail traverses Missouri’s most magnificent landscape. For much of its route, it follows the course of the Missouri River to its confluence with the Mississippi. Frequently, we are riding this basically hard-pack crushed limestone trail with the Missouri to the right and the rugged limestone bluffs for which Missouri is famous on our left.  At times, we are cycling through an arboreal wonderland.  Other times we ride through the incomparably fertile bottomlands and beautiful vineyards of the Missouri wine country.

From the beginning of our journey at the trail’s west terminus in Clinton, to the final moments at the landing in St. Charles, we are surrounded and immersed in the rich historical and cultural legacy of this region. The role of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806 was profound in the opening of the west. The Katy Trail traces the early (and final) stages of that expedition as it launched from St. Charles and followed the river across the Missouri Territory.  This is truly an adventure of the “Gateway to the West”!

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive, assemble, van shuttle, bike fitting, orientation dinner

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Meals: Dinner

The Katy Trail tour assembles in Clinton on Day 1, about an hour’s van shuttle southeast of Kansas City. There we’ll have time to check out the bikes and have the orientation talk and dinner.

Day 2: Clinton - Sedalia

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Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 38 miles

Elevation Gain: 712 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 100 feet

We’ll ride to Sedalia, perennial site of the Missouri State Fair, on Day 2. It’s a peaceful route through farmland and pastures, before we reach the river. There is a small elevation change, but being a rail-trail, the pitch is so small you will barely notice.

Day 3: Sedalia - Boonville

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Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 40 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,205 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 170 feet

We’re headed to Boonville on Day 3, beginning with a stop at the Sedalia Depot – renewed to its glory for the enjoyment of rail-trail riders. Once out of town, we follow Shaver Creek, and end at the Missouri River in the town of Boonville, named after Nathan Boone and Daniel Morgan Boone (sons of the famous Daniell Boone.) There were 2 major Civil War battles in the area, which you can learn about at the visitor center when we reach Boonville.

Day 4: Boonville - Jefferson City

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Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 52 miles

Elevation Gain: 995 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 80 feet

Day 4, we will be riding in the Missouri River valley, cycling along limestone bluffs and expansive vineyards, for the prettiest section of the route. Remember your head light to pass through the only tunnel of the trail. We end our day in the capital city of Jefferson City, after crossing the Missouri River on a beautiful cantilevered bicycle and pedestrian bridge. You can visit the state Capitol building with an advance reservation.

Day 5: Jefferson City - Herman

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Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 48 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,085 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 50 feet

On Day 5 we pass small communities along a smooth and peaceful ride through the countryside. We are headed for Hermann and Missouri’s wine country. Once again, we must cross the Missouri river to reach overnight accommodations. We should arrive early enough to tour the Stone Hill Winery.

Day 6: Herman - Augusta

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Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 37 miles

Elevation Gain: 950 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 80 feet

Day 6 it’s on to Augusta on the north side of the river. We travel through conservation areas, vineyards and other agricultural areas, and near historic and cultural sights. Our overnight is in beautiful B&B’s, in this small town with charm from a bygone era.

Day 7: Augusta - St. Charles

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Meals: Breakfast

Distance: 28 miles

Elevation Gain: 560 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 50 feet

On Day 7 we ride deep into wine country, passing several options for a winery lunch. We enter into St. Charles at Frontier Park along the river, a nice ending to a great adventure. The tour ends in St. Charles, just outside of St. Louis. A shuttle to the International Airport is available. If needing to return to Kansas City, you must arrange a ride before the tour starts.

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