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Home   Things to Do

Top 8 Bike Trails in and Around Missouri

Saswata Baksi
by Saswata Baksi
Top 8 Bike Trails in and Around Missouri - Discover Springfield, MO

Missouri is an absolutely gorgeous state with diverse landscapes that make for some truly incredible cycling experiences. The state of Missouri is committed to developing amazing bike trails and promoting cycling. 

Cycling can be an extremely fun hobby with a variety of health benefits – not to mention, it is a great way to get outdoors and take in some beautiful scenery. 

In this article, we’ll be taking you through some of the best biking trails in the Missouri area. We will be covering a variety of trails that will appeal to different audiences, so you are sure to find a trail that interests you. 

Let’s go ahead and jump right into it! 

Creve Coeur and Mallard Lake

Image Source: Reddit

  • Location: Maryland Heights, MO 63146, USA
  • Length: 9.2km
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Surface: Paved and unpaved mix 
  • Scenery/Features: Waterfall, wildlife, flowers, lake, forest 
  • Best For: Wildlife and birdwatching 
  • Tips: This is a family and pet-friendly trail so feel free to bring kids/pets/friends along for the trip! 

This 9.2km loop trail is a gorgeous spot for biking near Maryland Heights that is perfect for the whole family. Dogs are always allowed on this trail, but they must be on a leash at all times. 

This trail has a variety of surfaces, with paved and unpaved sections on the trail. This is an ideal option for those who want a simple loop trail to bike along. Just keep in mind that this is a busier trail, so you are likely to bump into some friendly faces on your journey. 

Rock Hollow Trail

Image Source: TrailLink

  • Location: Rock Hollow Park, Missouri 
  • Length: 11.4km
  • Difficulty: Easy 
  • Surface: Paved 
  • Scenery/Features: Forest, river, wildlife, flowers, river 
  • Best For: A long bike ride through stunning scenery 
  • Tips: If you are interested in some more intense mountain biking, branch off the paved main trail to the dirt tracks that are perfect for bikes. 

The Rock Hollow Trail is a popular biking trail located in Rock Hollow Park, Missouri. This trail takes you through some truly beautiful scenery and is a nice, long trail that you can spend a few hours on. 

The main trail is paved, but there are a few dirt trails branching off it that are perfect for a more intense mountain biking experience. This is a great pick for those who are looking for a long trail with a variety of paved and unpaved bike paths. 

Rock Island Rail Corridor Shared Use Path

 

Image Source: AllTrails

  • Location: Hartman Park, Kansas City, Missouri 
  • Length: 43.8km 
  • Difficulty: Easy 
  • Surface: Paved and flat gravel mix 
  • Scenery/Features: Forest, wildlife, river
  • Best For: A quiet and peaceful ride through the forest 
  • Tips: There are several trailheads to choose from so pick the one that is most convenient for you.

The Rock Island Rail Corridor Shared Use Path in Kansas City, Missouri is a great little trail that is quiet and peaceful at most off-peak times of day. This is perfect for bikers as the trail has a mixture of paved paths and flat gravel – no rocky surprises here. 

The wide, flat path will take you past some stunning scenery and it is also primarily in the shade, so it is great for sunny days when you don’t want to get overheated or sunburnt. 

Quail Ridge Park Loop

Image Source: SCCMO

  • Location: Quail Ridge Park 
  • Length: 4.7km 
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Surface: Paved 
  • Scenery/Features: Forest, flowers, wildlife 
  • Best For: A year-round, stunning loop trail that is the perfect go-to biking spot 
  • Tips: Check out some of the non-paved trails that branch into the woods for some extra-fun biking and scenery. 

The Quail Ride Park Loop located near Wentzville, Missouri is an incredible loop path that takes you through the 250-acre county park. This is a super safe, popular trail, so expect to see your fair share of walkers and fellow bikers during your trip. 

This loop trail is paved, but there are several non-paved trails that you can take which will bring you deeper into the forest. This is perfect for mountain bikers who want to explore a bit more of the gorgeous surrounding forest. 

Forest Park Wheels Path

 Image Source: AllTrails

  • Location: Forest Park, Missouri 
  • Length: 9.2km
  • Difficulty: Easy 
  • Surface: Paved and gravel 
  • Scenery/Features: Forest, lake, river, wildlife, historical sites 
  • Best For: A dedicated wheels path that runs a simple loop through gorgeous scenery 
  • Tips: If you are looking for solitude, try enjoy this trail during the early morning to late evening to avoid peak times. 

The Forest Park Wheels Park is a wonderful little trail located near St. Louis, Missouri. This is an easy route that is perfect for cyclists, with a mixture of paved and gravel areas. This is a very popular trail but does quieten down during certain times of the day. 

This trail also has convenient bike racks located at the many stops on the trail, so you can take a moment to enjoy your surroundings or do some exploring on food. All in all, this trail is a great pick if you’re looking for an easy loop track that is tailored to suit cyclists. 

Line Creek Trail

 

Image Source: TrailLink

  • Location: Kansas City, Missouri 
  • Length: 14.2km 
  • Difficulty: Easy 
  • Surface: Paved 
  • Scenery/Features: Forest, river, waterfall, wildlife, city walk 
  • Best For: A long trail that winds through forests and urban areas 
  • Tips: As you make your way through the neighborhoods and parking lots that precede the forest, pay close attention to the surrounding signs to ensure you stay on the trail 

Line Creek Trail is a particularly unique trail located near Kansas City, Missouri. This trail will take you through both neighborhoods and wooden areas, making it perfect for those who enjoy experiencing changes of scenery during their bike ride. 

There are some truly breathtaking sights to be seen on this path, including waterfalls and meadows. You will also likely witness your fair share of wildlife, such as ducks, geese, and other common urban wildlife. 

Grants Trail

Image Source: Great Runs
  • Location: St. Louis, Missouri
  • Length: 15.6km 
  • Difficulty: Easy 
  • Surface: Paved 
  • Scenery/Features: Wildlife, flowers, urban surroundings 
  • Best For: Observing a whole lot of wildlife, including farm animals in the surrounding area 
  • Tips: There are two entrance points to this trail, so be sure to pick the one that is most convenient for you 

The Grants Trail, located near St. Louis, Missouri, is a 15.6km trail that will take you through some urban spaces, as well as some heavily shaded areas surrounded by nature. This trail is home to a lot of wildlife, including some farm animals such as cows, so be sure to take a few stops (and pictures!) along the way. 

This trail is open year-round and is quite popular, so you are sure to run into some people along the way. That being said, this trail does get quieter during off-peak seasons and times of day, so keep that in mind if you are looking for some peace and solitude. 

Smithville Lake Trail Loop

 Image Source: AllTrails

  • Location: Platte Township, MO 64089, USA
  • Length: 14.2k 
  • Difficulty: Moderate 
  • Surface: Partially paved 
  • Scenery/Features: Forest, wildlife, flowers, lake, fields 
  • Best For: A slightly more challenging bike trail 
  • Tips: This trail is only partially paved, so be sure that you and your bike are prepared for some more difficult terrain. 

The Smithville Lake Trail Loop is a trail located near Smithville, Missouri. This is the most challenging trail on this list and you should be prepared to face some more difficult, unpaved sections of terrain during your trip. 

This is a popular trail, particularly for horseback riding, so expect to see a few people (and their horses!) as you explore the trail. This trail is perfect for those who are up for a bit of a challenge and want to take in some gorgeous scenery while they’re at it. 

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, Missouri is a hotspot for great bike trails. There is a truly wonderful variety of trails in the area, each differing slightly and offering unique routes, difficulty levels, and stunning views of the surrounding areas. 

If you are a cycling fanatic who is on the hunt for some new trails in the Missouri area to check out, we are sure that at least one of the trails on this list will be the perfect fit for you. 

If you’re a complete cycling newbie and are just getting into the hobby, why not grab your bike and enjoy the stunning views that these trails have to offer? This is a great way to get some exercise in, spend some time outside, and enjoy the beauty of nature.



Saswata Baksi
Saswata Baksi

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