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Katy Trail Side Trails

The Katy Trail offers 225 miles of amazing natural scenery and quaint small towns, but that's just the beginning. You can expand your trip even farther by following one of the many side trails that connect to the Katy Trail. They are listed below, from east to west.

Mountain bikers in St Charles County can ride at least three great MTB trails, all accessible from the Katy Trail between Weldon Spring and Augusta (Lost Valley, Matson Hill, & Klondike - see below).

Creve Coeur Park Connector - Missouri River Crossing

St Charles to Maryland Heights
Mile 42.8
Length: 3.6 miles
Surface: Paved
This trail offers a very nice crossing of the Missouri River on the Page Avenue bridge, and links up with the trail system in Creve Coeur Park. Click the following link for more information on the connector trail, and Creve Coeur Park.

Weldon Spring Hollow Nature Area

Weldon Spring
Mile 53.5
Surface: Dirt
This nature hike is a foot path only - not wide enough for bikes.

Hamburg Trail

Weldon Spring
Mile 56.7
Length: 8 miles
Surface: Crushed gravel
This path leads to the Weldon Spring Interpretive Center, and Busch Wildlife Area. The Interpretive Center is the site of a former uranium processing plant, which has been safely sealed inside a massive 75-foot high concrete "cell." You can climb to a viewing platform atop the cell, for an expansive view of the area.

The Hamburg Trail is 1/3 mile west of the Weldon Spring Trailhead.

Lost Valley

Weldon Spring
Access from Hamburg Trail, mile 56.7 (see above)
Length: 8 mile loop
Surface: Some dirt, some gravel
This mountain bike trail is perfect for beginner and intermediate riders. It has many flat sections and a good long downhill.

More about Lost Valley Trail

Matson Hill Trail

Matson
Mile 60.6
Length: 3 miles
Surface: Dirt
This singletrack mountain bike trail is wooded and hilly. From the Matson trailhead, take the gravel road northwest out of the lot up the steep hill about 1 mile to Matson Hill Road, which is paved. Go right onto Matson Hill Road approximately 1/2 mile to Matson Hill Park on the left (north) side of the road.

More about Matson Hill Trail

Klondike Park

Augusta
Two access points between Matson and Augusta - at Klondike sign (mile 64.1) or boat ramp (around mile 63.5)
Surface: Dirt
This 250 acre jewel has several miles of new trails which are a favorite among local riders. Most trails are technical and some MTB expertise is necessary.

Maps & more info on Klondike Trail
Photos of Klondike Trail

North Jefferson Spur

North Jefferson City
Mile 143.2
Length: 1 mile
This short side trail leads to a pavilion.
Map of North Jefferson trailhead and spur trail

MKT Nature and Fitness Trail

McBaine to Columbia
Mile 169.9
Length: 8.9 miles
Surface: Crushed gravel


MKT Trail southwest of Columbia	Photo: Jack Chipley
More Photos by Jack Chipley

This trail takes you right to the heart of the University of Missouri in Columbia, by way of wetlands and wooded areas. There is a lake about two miles from the Katy Trail.
The MKT Trail connects with the Katy Trail about 1/4 mile west of McBaine.
Very nice map of MKT trail (pdf)

Future Connections

St. Peters

The Great Rivers Greenway District is planning an extension west into St Peters, from the area where the Creve Coeur Park connector joins from the east. It's only in the planning stage now; opening is still a year or two away.

Useful/Related Resources

How to get by bike from the Katy Trail to downtown St Louis
All parking along the Katy Trail (Plan a Ride feature)
Missouri Bike Federation's Statewide Bike Route Map
Discussion of the Page Bridge and Creve Coeur Park Connector Trail

Comments about Side Trails from other riders

Share your comments about Side Trails with other Katy Trail riders! Add your comment/question, or view all comments.

Subject: Transportation from Clinton to Amtrak Started: May 4 2008 12:27PM by VMT , St. Charles, MO
I have a group planning to ride from St. Charles to Clinton in late summer and then we would like to return to St. Charles by Amtrak. Can anyone suggest transportation for 4 to 6 people and their bikes from Clinton to an Amtrak station (Sedalia, Lees Summit or Independence)?
Replies: 0	Reply to This Topic

Subject: Side Trails Started: Jan 7 2008 5:12PM by chris davis , wentzville mo
I needto know how toget to the kate trail from highway z in wentzville on the southside of highway 70 sany help would be geat so type of mape would be great
Replies: 2 (Last reply: Jan 8 2008 6:43AM by Ray (webmaster) : "And here's a map tha......" )	View This Topic

Subject: Tunnels open on Columbia MKT spur! Started: May 18 2007 1:15PM by ET , Columbia
Finally, after what seems like years of construction, the Columbia spur goes right to downtown without any road crossings. There are now tunnels under Stewart, Providence, Locust, and Elm streets. There is one still-unpaved section of the new trail, between Elm and Locust, but it is very rideable, with chat similar to the Katy trail (if a little looser). The tunnels share box culverts with Flat Branch Creek, so would be impassable in very high water, but clear out very quickly after rain storms, so far anyway. They make a really pretty, interesting, and relaxing entry to Columbia.
Replies: 3 (Last reply: May 24 2007 1:38PM by ET, Columbia: "Not many great options near the trail. The Campus..." )	View This Topic

Subject: MLK Trail Started: May 18 2007 10:46AM by J. , Madison, MO
How many miles is it from the Martin Luther King trail in Columbia to McBain?
Replies: 4 (Last reply: May 23 2007 11:56AM by GC Columbia, Mo.: "OK, I have to clarif......" )	View This Topic

Subject: Weldon Spring - Hamburg Trail Started: Apr 8 2007 8:18PM by Andrew Mayberry , St. Louis, Mo.
Hamburg Trail worst mark trail ever.From the KATY TRail, after about 3.5 mi trail goes straight (what looks like the trail)turns into over grown grass & fallen trees. back track to what looks like survace road. Trail joins black top road, no sings, go to the right,through tunnels till black top turns into gravel road, signs say restrigeted area no access. turn back again, through tunnel take survice road up to Hwy 94. Down to route D. Looking to the right the Humberg Trail went through the restricted area. At 94 & Route D turn right. Trail leads down by lake # 10 (Busch Conservation Area)To 2 red cattle gates (no signs)go around gate follow gravel road to bigger gravel road, no signs,To be met by gun shots. Turn right, go by lake 36, no sings, ride on gravel road to be run off into weeds by passing trucks. I give up after 1 mi. Go... View Full Comment
Replies: 2 (Last reply: May 15 2007 12:58PM by lenning, St. Peters, MO: "I agree with Andrew. The trail is not well marked..." )	View This Topic

Subject: Side Trails Started: Nov 6 2005 9:45PM by Chris , St. Louis
I need to know how to get from the Katty Trail to Kansas City.
Replies: 2 (Last reply: Apr 13 2007 3:47PM by J&K, Drexel MO: "I'm assuming you mean by bike. At this time there ..." )	View This Topic

Subject: Side Trails Started: Jun 16 2005 2:05PM by Mike , O'Fallon, MO
Below is a link to a map showing the MKT side trail in Columbia and a few connecting trails: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Documents/mkt_mu_conect.pdf ... View Full Comment
Replies: 0	Reply to This Topic

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