![]() ![]() The first day involves leaving your vehicle, if driving to Missouri, in St. And because there is so much to see and explore along the way, our proposed itinerary covers the entire length of the trail as a 7-day journey. Of final note: The Katy Trail uses the original mileage markers from the railroad days beginning with the current eastern terminuses at MM 26.9 (Machen) or MM 39.5 (St. If you need to rent bikes as well, or perhaps you would appreciate having the reassurance of trail assistance if needed, check out the Bike Stop Café or Katy Bike Rental. Charles B&B that can accommodate families and groups as well as shuttle you to any point along the Katy Trail. There are many such services available, including B&Bs that offer shuttles for their guests. ![]() ![]() You will need to hire a shuttle service for a one-way point-to-point ride. This is such a popular trail, that we recommend reserving your shuttle service well in advance. (Read the Katy Trail discussion forum for packing tips and ideas.) The crushed limestone trail can be dusty, and items that need to stay clean should be well-protected. Don’t forget your patch and bike repair kits. Additionally, while there are grocery stores and restaurants in many of the small communities you will pass through, the hours of operation vary throughout the year, and some businesses are seasonal, so keep a handy supply of snacks. Not all trailheads provide water, however, so it is important to bring plenty with you each day. There are 26 trailheads along the entire length with a variety of amenities. The website also lists the many special events that are held on the trail. Make sure to visit the Katy Trail State Park website for current trail conditions washouts and rough areas are not uncommon as a result of varying weather. Trail is alongside the Missouri River flyway, so you may see migrating birds and waterfowl, such as great blue herons, sandpipers, Canada geese and belted kingfishers. Chickadees, nuthatches, robins, orioles and woodpeckers are common. You could just as easily wile away the hours watching the abundant wildlife, especially birds, which live in the various habitats. Perhaps the most unique characteristic is that the majority of the trail follows the route of the Missouri River, and cyclists will often find themselves cradled between the river on one side and great towering bluffs on the other. Not only that, but you can soak in some of the best scenery that Missouri has to offer: forests, wetlands, prairies and rolling farm fields. It occupies a segment of rail corridor that once carried trains of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (a.k.a., the Katy) and meanders through many small towns that still portray the rich heritage of Missouri and early-American history. The entire length is a state park, well-maintained and imbued with historical markers and points of interest. Why all the acclaim? Well to start, this trail is the nation’s longest rail-trail project, providing a 240-mile run across nearly the entire state. Several accolades support this including the trail being a Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, an American Discovery Trail, and a Millennium Legacy Trail. Louis Metro area, the Katy Trail State Park is certainly high on the list of must-ride trails for avid cyclists. Stretching from western Missouri to the St. ![]()
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