Long sections of unused railroad rights of way all over the country have been converted into rural avenues for hiking and biking, and one of the longest and oldest is also one of the most scenic — the Katy Trail that snakes for 225 miles along the bluffs of the Missouri River across the center of the state of Missouri.
And it’s not just scenic. The Katy, named for the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, passes small towns with inns and unique restaurants as well as wineries.
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www.missouriwine.com
The best time to go is September and October, according to a description at GoNomad when the weather is cooler and some of the foliage is beginning to turn colors. It also warns that veering too close to the edge of the trail could lead to a fall into a bed of poison ivy. Much of this profile of the trail focuses on the wineries and restaurants awaiting bikers, such as Le Bourgeois Winery sitting on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley.
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There’s even a blog devoted to the Katy with entries from people who have biked and run this trail and others in the area. “I just got back from the most incredible weekend!” says an entry signed “sudukc.”
www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html
It’s only a few feet wide, but the Katy Trail counts as a Missouri State Park and the park system has a handy interactive map supplying brief descriptions of sections of the trail. You’ll want to click on the “Additional Information” dropdown menu to access a photo album, trail conditions (most of the trail is accessible to wheelchairs), a mileage chart and other information.
www.bikekatytrail.com
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For an all-around guide, check out BikeKatyTrail for links to maps, bed &breakfast inns, wineries, history of the trail and connecting side trails. and if you’re thinking of riding only a fraction of the trail, look for the link to “riding Amtrak” for the stations along the route where you can board a train with your bike. Visit Amtrak itself for schedules and rates.
Especially useful at BikeKatyTrail is the map at the top of the main page. Click on the town names and look for links for local chambers of business and visitors guides for details on sights to see, restaurants, motels and inns, and businesses.
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If you have room in your backpack or bike bag, a Missouri publisher has a “Complete Katy Trail Guidebook” with more details on services along the trail, towns and places to stay. You could supplement that by opening a free account at Trails.com for its full guide and topographical map of the area. After you take the trip, Trails.com would like you to share your photos.
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Interested but turned off by the idea of making arrangements, knowing what to pack or finding companions? Try searching the Internet for outfits that arrange bicycle tours, such as Timberline Adventures which offers a six-day package including a support van, leaders, lodging and most meals. One called Independent Tourist says it will send you off on a self-guided tour while it takes care of lodging, luggage and transportation to a starting point.
www.traillink.com
For more information, the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s TrailLink can show you other disused railroad routes around the country that have been put to use for hiking and biking.
Roger Petterson
Associated Press
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