Missouri

Mountain Biking Trails Around St. Louis

[ Berryman Trail | Castlewood State Park | Chubb Trail | Greensfelder County Park | Lost Valley Hiking & Biking Trail | St. Joe State Park | Katy Trail | Carondelet Greenway | West Alton Trail | Glen Carbon Heritage Trail | Valles Mines ]


Berryman Trail

The Berryman Trail (near Potosi) is an IMBA Epic Trail - Map Directions

A challenging 24-mile loop single-track mountain bike trail, with well-engineered switchbacks, takes about 4 hours. The trail passes several forest service roads that can also be biked and offer alternate routes. Near Bourbon Missouri, about an hour and a half drive from St. Louis; take I-44 south to the Bourbon exit, take Route N southeast out of Bourbon, then west on Route W to the trailhead at the Brazil Creek Campground.
This is a 24 mile loop with camping and picnic areas along the way. I found it technically challenging but not so much so that it became annoyingly difficult. There is a spring along the way but I would recommend carrying enough water for the whole ride or a filter.  The scenery is wooded for most of the trail, but there are a few short sections that have been clearcut in the last twenty years. The Ozarks are a great place to ride, especially in the fall or spring.

Directions: West on highway 8 from Potosi about 12 miles. There are state conservation signs pointing to the trail access.


Castlewood State Park

Castlewood State Park - Map

Both paved and dirt/mountain bike trails. Nice for hiking and biking, trail consist of about 9 miles mostly flat with some hills. The bluff trail is great for hiking although it is closed to bikes. Located in Southwest St. Louis County. 152 Keifer Creek Rd. (St. Louis County Park info 889-2863).

  • Grottpeter Trail:  Very challenging hills, some very fast stretches. The trail surface is covered in small rocks. Length: around 4 miles.  Has very tough climbs and great views.
  • Stinging Nettle - Fairly flat trail with a couple of short technical sections. Trail surface is mostly dirt. A fun, fast loop along the Meramac River. Mostly singletrack. About a 5 mile loop.  A fun sprint trail along the river.

Directions: Take I-270 exit west on Manchester Rd, turn south on Ries Rd. Follow Ries Rd to Keifer Creek Rd and turn left and follow Keifer Creek Rd to the Trailhead.


Chubb Trail

Chubb Trail - Map Directions

Tyson to Lone Elk: 7 miles, Castlewood Loop: 3 miles. Both mountain bike trails, they are technical and steep.  A 7 mile trail between West Tyson County Park and Lone Elk Park. In West St. Louis County off I-44. Trailheads are to the right of the entrance to Lone Elk Park, and at the West Tyson parking lots. The Lone Elk side of the trail is suited for beginners on up, the West Tyson part of the trail is much more technical and should ridden by the somewhat experienced or adventurous biker. The part is the most challenging and enjoyable of the list.

The most challenging trail in the St. Louis area. The first 4 miles (starting at Tyson) are steep climbs and descents. Terrain is rocky and usually slippery. Some truly nasty drop-offs. The middle 2-3 miles are flat, following the river
bank (very much like the Stinging Nettle trail at Castlewood - see listing above). A mile or so of uphill fire roads brings you to Lone Elk Park. Length: about 8 miles.

This is THE place to go around here. It is not a loop but a (roughly) seven mile stretch with access at both ends (so you could just do it one way if several people went and left a car at both ends). Both ends are accessed via I-44 west. The Lone Elk trailhead is reached by exiting at 141 and continuing west on the north outer road. You'll know you're there when the road offers the option of crashing a pole gate on the right or passing into Lone Elk Park itself via an entrance through a chain link fence on your left. Park anywhere along the shoulder here and start your ride by passing around said pole gate.

From this trailhead, the trail drops immediately and steeply into the Meramec River bottom via an old roadbed. This was recently graded - lots of big rocks and loose gravel. Nasty - caution is warranted your first time. From there, it parallels the railroad track for a while, then crosses it. Immediately there is a fork - straight ahead is the Castlewood Loop, which is 3 miles long and just winds around in the river bottom before bringing you back to the fork. To your left is the continuation of Chubb trail. It also winds around in the river bottom for several miles. Both of these sections are fast, fun, and not particularly technical, unless the river has been high recently - then they're just really muddy and a pain in the ass.

Anyway, should you have elected the Chubb fork, it eventually emerges from the river bottom (btw, there is a high water route available as an alternative to part of the river bottom route, but it runs through fields and is not particularly interesting) and crosses the RR track again. Now it does get technical, so if you don't want that just turn around and go back to the Lone Elk trailhead for a ride of 8 miles or so.

But of course you do want that, so as you continue on, you have a tough climb - lots of tire-slicked rocks and roots to spin out on, lots of loose stuff. Definitely a challenge, and not to be taken personally if it gets the better of you the first time or two. Watch out for lots of poison ivy along the trail in here. When you reach the top, you'll be able to see I44. The descent from here is REALLY badly washed out ... very loose gravelly terrain. Gets less messy after this - terrain solidifies. Still some up and down stuff, and some tough switchbacks. You will emerge at the Chubb Shelter.

If you wanted to start at this end (the Chubb Shelter), the trailhead can be accessed by continuing west on I44 and exiting at the Lewis and Clark exit going right, and taking another right in about 150 yds or so where the park entrance
is indicated (West Tyson). When this road forks, stay left and go up the hill. In any case, it's another 7 miles back to the other trailhead, making for a roundtrip of 14 miles. Oh, going from Chubb-->Lone Elk, the tough ascent from the other direction is now a descent (obviously), and in the middle is "the stairs" - you'll know it when you see it. Enough of a drop-off that my big chainring usually ends up paying a price going down. Haven't seen anyone ride up it successfully ... though I'm sure a trials stud could pull it off ...

Directions:

Lone Elk Park-Take I-44 to Valley Spring exit (Route 141). Make a quick right/left onto Outer Road West, then right on Tyson Rd to the Trailhead. West Tyson-Take I-44 to the Lewis Road exit. Turn right at the top of the ramp, left on Outer Road North, then right to the park.

The other end can be reached by getting off at 141, Meramac St. Road. Immediately turn right onto the Outer Road exit. Go west on the Outer Road. This takes you to the entrance of Lone Elk County Park. Park along the road at the entrance; the fire road is the trail-head.


Greensfelder County Park

Greensfelder - Map Directions

"A network of 25 miles of very challenging single-track. Of all the loops in the park, the Dogwood and DeClue trails are best suited to riding. All other trails are open to cyclists, but pass over rough terrain requiring difficult portages." According to Steve Henry's "The Mountain Biker's Guide to the Ozarks."

 


Lost Valley Hiking & Biking Trail

Lost Valley - Map

A 7.5 mile loop (marked) at the Lost Valley Department of Conservation area in Weldon Spring. Great for beginning to intermediate mountain bikers. The main trail begins with with flat wide country road closed to auto traffic, then becomes a
dual track that winds through the forest along many streams and meadows. There is also a connecting 3 mile loop (unmarked) that is single track. This trail includes a few hills and stream crossings, probably not suited for the beginning rider. Take I-64 (US40) west to Highway 94 south or take Highway 70 to Highway 94 south. In Southwest St. Charles County.

This 7.5 mile loop can be a challenging ride for mountain bikers, as it includes water crossings and several steep hills. The first three miles are fairly easy, lined with small hills and valleys and a stream crossing. After that there are several steep hills, but the return trip to the trailhead leads generally downhill. The Lost Valley Trail provides a great opportunity to view nature, including a variety of birds and an occasional deer. Please be aware of private and government property adjoining the trail.
Directions: Take I-64 (Highway 40) to Route 94. Go 6 miles west on Route 94 to Trailhead
OR
Take Hwy 94 South past Hwy 40 about 5 miles. When you see the sign for the one lane bridge, slow down. It's just before the bridge on the right. There's a large gravel parking lot at the trailhead.


St. Joe State Park

There are 23 miles of trails mostly dirt single track but there is also a paved section that is very nice for the whole family. The park is shared by hikers, mountain bikers, off road vehicles and equestrians. Located from St. Louis, take Highway 55 south to Highway 67, continue south on 67 until you reach St. Joe State Park signs on the right.


Katy Trail

[ Map | bikekatytrail.com | katytrailstatepark.com ]
(between Sadalia & St. Charles) is a 225 mile (365 km) mostly flat bike path stretching across most of the state of Missouri. Over half of it follows Lewis and Clark's path up the Missouri River, where you can ride beneath towering river bluffs while eagles circle overhead. After leaving the river, the trail meanders through peaceful farmland and small-town Americana. Formerly the MKT, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas line, an old railroad route. The trail is very scenic with bluffs and wild flowers and the surface is hard packed small gravel which is very easy to ride. There are Bed and Breakfast inns and Wineries that cater to bicyclists.

IMO, the Katy Trail is best enjoyed in spring and autumn. Especially with the high rainfall this spring, the river level will probably be high, which usually means it will be pretty buggy (e.g., mosquito eggs can stay in stasis for years; when the water levels rise, they all hatch). In July/August, the area tends toward hot 'n' humid; the bugs will not add to the joy.

It's mostly packed gravel, and rideable by road bikes with slightly larger tires (25mm up recommended) or mountain bikes with skinnier tires. Katie Trail


Carondelet Greenway

A rails-to-trails conversion, 4 miles. Perfect for children or beginners. Take I-55 to the Reavis Barracks Road exit, east one-half block to Union, north to Hoffmeister Avenue, bear right and follow the signs to
the trailhead and parking lot. South St. Louis County.


West Alton Trail

The West Alton Trail was Trailnet's first purchase, acquired in 1991. Formed from a railroad bed, the trail is two miles long and extends from St. Charles Street in West Alton to the Lincoln-Shields Recreation Area at the approach of the William Clark Bridge.

The Clark Bridge, a beautiful suspension bridge that opened in 1994, intersects the Mississippi River between its confluence with the Illinois and Missouri Rivers. The bridge has ten foot wide shoulders in both directions that are marked for bicycles and pedestrians.

Opened in September 1995, the West Alton Trail is surfaced with crushed, hardpack limestone, similar to the surface on the KATY Trail. Members of Trailnet and other volunteers join in maintaining the trail at seasonal work parties where new helpers are always welcome. Half of the trail is owned and operated by Trailnet, Inc., and the other half is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Directions: From St. Louis take Highway 367 north, cross the Missouri River and then make a right on Spur Dike Access Road (by Fisca Service Station). Make an immediate left on the access road and go under Clark Bridge to the new
Lincoln-Shields Recreation Area The Trail is about 1 mile long.


Glen Carbon Heritage Trail

The Ronald J Foster Glen Carbon Heritage Trail is a 3.2 mile rail-to-trail conversion in Madison County, Illinois. "The kids get a kick out of the bridges, and I like the blackberry bushes and the mulberry trees," said local trail enthusiast Sean Crosby. The prairie restoration area is rich in wildlife: squirrels, rabbits, possums, and many varieties may be seen. Trash seems to be noticeably absent from the trail, and informative kiosks on the corridor's history line the trail. More information on the trail can be acquired from the Village of Glen Carbon.

Directions: Take I-270 to Illinois Route 157 South .8 mile. Then go right on Glen Carbon Road/Main Street. Go 1 mile, cross RR tracks and turn right immediately after Fire Department. Follow parking signs to right behind building to trailhead.


Valles Mines

Mountain Biking Valles Mines near St. Louis

Mining ended 80 years ago but the roads and trails still connect to somewhere. The Rock Road forms a central 5.5 mile ring road that goes to the General Store in the old town, Tunnel Station and The Discovery Mines. It joins French Village Road at Buster (Cemetery) Crossing and from Halifax goes (eventually) to Ste. Genevieve. You cannot get farther away from the city and still be this close by. Follow new roads paved with asphalt then duck up into chat roads and trails abandoned even centuries ago. Follow mining haul roads only wide enough for a team of oxen up to the Discovery Mines on top of one of the highest hills in Jefferson or Ste. Francois County and see for 5 ridges.

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