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).
St Charles to St Peters
Mile 42.8
Length: 2.2 miles
Surface: Paved
This trail follows 364 from the Page Avenue bridge to Heritage Park and the
Heritage Museum.
The museum, which is open 10-6 Wed-Sat and noon-5 Sundays, covers St Charles County history.
|
|
St Charles / Weldon Spring
Mile 52.1
Length: 3/4 mile
Surface: Paved
This connector trail follows a creek through a scenic wooded area, including a nice boardwalk.
The north end of the connector is a small trail parking lot, located in the Missouri Research Park office park.
This is the closest parking to I-64; follow this link for directions to the
Missouri Research Park / Katy Trail connector.
|
|
Weldon Spring
Mile 53.5
Surface: Dirt
This nature hike is a foot path only - not wide enough for bikes.
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.
|
|
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
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
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 City
Mile 143.2
Length: 1 mile
This short side trail leads to a pavilion.
Map of North Jefferson trailhead and spur trail
McBaine to Columbia
Mile 169.9
Length: 8.9 miles
Surface: Crushed gravel
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
Comments on Katy Trail side trails
|