A guide to biking St. Louis for everyone—from beginners to pros

Where to bike, expert-approved gear, cycling groups to join, and more

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BIKING ST. LOUIS FOR BEGINNERS

Meramec Greenway: Arnold’s Grove to Greentree Park

A family-friendly stretch of pavement, the Meramec Greenway runs along the Meramec River, from Arnold’s Grove in Valley Park to Kirkwood’s Greentree Park. The Arnold’s Grove Trailhead is located on the west side of Highway 141 near the Marshall Road and Meramec Station Road intersection. At the start of the ride, the path winds beneath an elevated railway bridge and through a forested area before heading east along the river. The paved trail is 3.64 miles. Being generally flat, it’s great for younger cyclists who are just learning to balance their bikes. Tree cover provides ample shade, making it a great ride on a hot summer day.

“It’s a hidden gem,” says Great Rivers Greenway’s Anne Milford, “less trafficked than some of the more popular greenways in the St. Louis area.”

Highlights include beautiful views and chance wildlife sightings along the river. Waterfowl and owls are common, along with a family of eagles that lives year-round in nearby Simpson Park, which features a 72-acre lake that’s popular with stand-up paddleboarders, as well as a playground, walking trails, picnic sites, and restrooms.

This section of Meramec Greenway also provides access to Meramec Landing Park, which includes a boat ramp, along with a walking trail and restrooms. There’s also a small off-road cycling loop on the northwest side of Cal Hedrick Way that’s perfect for developing BMX riders and beginner mountain bikers alike. Greentree Park, at the east end of the trail and adjacent to the Kirkwood Athletic Association, offers picnic spots, a boat ramp, and restrooms. It’s the perfect place to stop, rest, and have a snack before heading back.

MORE MUST-TRY RIDES

Forest Park

The 1,326-acre gem’s paved paths pass our most beloved institutions, and gravel trails snake through more secluded sections.

Grant’s Trail

The 10-mile rails-to-trails path traverses South County and is family-friendly (passing by Grant’s Farm, Whitecliff Park, and a BMX bike park) but long enough for even avid cyclists to work up a sweat.

GEAR TO GET

Tire Repair Kit

“You’ll need a spare tube or patch kit, tire lever, and either a small pump or CO2 canister.”

—Matt McRedmond, Mike’s Bike STL

Sunset Greenway: Florissant

Another family-friendly entry-level ride is Sunset Greenway, in Florissant. The greenway links Sunset Park, on the Missouri River, and Old Town Florissant at St. Francois Street, providing access to the many historic points of interest located in Old Town. The trailhead is located at St. Ferdinand Park, north of the intersection of Interstate 270 and Lindbergh.

This trail caters to younger cyclists and beginners. It’s a bit more exposed to the sun than the Meramec Greenway, so it might be better to ride earlier in the day or toward sunset. Highlights include the historic

St. Ferdinand Shrine, on the site of one of the earliest settlements west of the Mississippi, a French trading village established around 1764. (Tours are available by appointment Monday–Sunday.)

Additional points of interest aren’t far away. Just less than a mile east of the trailhead is historic Old Town, with century-old homes and shops and cafés housed in historic buildings. Take a leisurely walk around town and enjoy the scenery. To that end, Florissant Old Town Partners has created a self-guided walking tour, comprising 13 historic sites, that’s available for download at florissantoldtown.com.

“Sunset Greenway is a great place to spend the entire day,” Milford says. “Grab a coffee or a bite to eat at one of the cafés, then ride the greenway down to Sunset Park for a relaxing afternoon by the Missouri River.” At Sunset Park, a set of switchbacks provides access to the Missouri River. As the park’s (and greenway’s) name suggests, sunset views of the river are spectacular.

A City of Cyclists

One organization is determined to connect St. Louis through bike-friendly paths

St. Louis is home to many bicyclists, and Great Rivers Greenway is making the region even more bike-friendly. The agency has created such pathways as River des Peres Greenway, Centennial Greenway, and Gravois Greenway (a.k.a. Grant’s Trail) and has more than 20 projects in the works, including an extension on St. Vincent Greenway and the highly anticipated Brickline Greenway. The first segment of the latter runs between Boyle and Sarah avenues, and a newly-opened segment runs outside CITYPARK along Market between 22nd and 20th streets. The goal of the entire project is to connect Forest Park to the Gateway Arch, in addition to providing routes to Tower Grove Park and Fairgrounds Park. Avid cyclist PJ McDaniel recommends Great Rivers Greenway’s paths for families with young children, because there’s less traffic than some alternatives. “It’s been fun for them to see various parts of St. Louis that we don’t normally see,” says McDaniel, “like Grant’s Trail, River Des Peres, and the Deer Creek Pump Track.”

“My favorite place to cruise on my bike is Grant’s Trail. I grew up in Crestwood and have only learned to appreciate the history of the trail more and more. It’s an easy, scenic ride great for chatting with a friend or pulling along some kids. I have several if anyone needs to borrow one.” MEGHAN KING, TV STAR, PODCAST CO-HOST, AND BLOGGER

BIKING ST. LOUIS FOR INTERMEDIATE RIDERS

Mississippi Greenway and Riverfront Trail

The Mississippi Greenway stretches 12.5 miles, from the downtown riverfront to the historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Beyond that are the McKinley Bridge Bikeway (another 2.5 miles), the Great River Road, and the Sam Vadalabene Trail.

Highlights along the way include the mile-long Paint Louis graffiti-covered floodwall, located at the Chouteau trailhead. Just north of the wall, riders cruise into the shadow of the Gateway Arch. Two sloping paths provide access to the renovated grounds, which now contain more than 5 miles of paths. Take a few minutes to explore the reflecting ponds and marvel at the city’s signature structure. North of the Arch, visit Rootwad Park, a pocket park that features the last commissioned sculptures by City Museum’s late founder, Bob Cassilly.

As the trail continues north, riders get a front-row view of the comings and goings on the industrial riverfront, including barges, conveyor systems, and trains paralleling the Mississippi. Beyond the Port of St. Louis, the scenery greens up again. Along this section, riders will encounter Missouri’s first nationally designated Underground Railroad historic site, the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing. Stop at the visitor center to learn the story of Meachum and her ill-fated 1855 attempt to help nine slaves cross the river into Illinois to gain their freedom.

Farther on, riders come to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a noted section of the famed Route 66. The mile-long bridge soars 60 feet over the Mississippi, providing spectacular views of the stone water intake towers and the river cascading below. Beyond the bridge, it becomes a choose-your-own-adventure scenario as the trail continues to the McKinley Bridge and on into Illinois.

MORE MUST-TRY RIDES

Cliff Cave County Park

Take the Spring Valley Trail to see Cliff Cave, which served as a beer cellar for fur traders in the 1700s.

The Pork chop

This 20-mile pork chop–shaped loop begins and ends at the Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center, including a scenic jaunt along the Katy Trail and the Busch Greenway Hamburg Trail.

GEAR TO GET

Bike Shorts

“Once you go bibs, you don’t go back.”

—Brad Blackwood, Granada Cyclery

MCT Nature Trail: Metro East–Granite City to Edwardsville

The Madison County Transit Nature Trail is a great stretch of asphalt bike path linking Wilson Park in Granite City to Bryant Street in Edwardsville. Stretching 15 miles, it’s part of the expansive Madison County Transit trail system, providing access to other bike paths in the network, namely the Schoolhouse, Nickel Plate, Goshen, and Bluff trails. (See mcttrails.org for maps and trail details.)

Access points include Wilson Park in Granite City, the Park and Bike lot on Revelle Lane in Pontoon Beach, and Longfellow and Nelson avenues in Edwardsville. Highlights include ample wildlife viewing opportunities as the trail makes its way through forested areas. The path crosses creeks and winds through neighborhoods as it makes its way from Wilson Park north toward Edwardsville.

Along the way, MCT managing director SJ Morrison explains, the trail offers a “diverse array of natural scenery, traversing through forests, across fields, over creeks, and down the gentlest slope of the ancient Mississippi River bluffs on the same path traveled by interurban train cars a century ago.”

Wilson Park features a swimming pool, a playground, and restrooms—a great place to cool off after a ride. The Nature Trail also connects to Horseshoe Lake State Park, a 2,960-acre park surrounding the second-largest lake in Illinois. With boating, fishing, picnic areas, and playgrounds, the state park demands a day of its own for exploring.

Farther north, a connector trail provides access to the campus of Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville, allowing cyclists to explore the campus. Here, riders can connect to the paved 2.4-mile DeLyte W. Morris Bike Trail, which winds through wooded areas around campus. The trail ends at Bryant Street in Edwardsville, near busy Troy Road, where cyclists will find a plethora of shops and restaurants—an opportunity to refuel for the ride back to Granite City.

In Good Company

Looking to bike with friends? Consider these local groups.

1. Saint Louis Cycling Club: Operated by Billy Goat Bicycle Company, this club includes groups for a range of skill levels and interests. Memberships are $60 for the first year.

2. Saint Louis Recreational Cyclists: The group offers a full calendar of riding opportunities across the area, as well as a place to share tips and tricks. Memberships are $20 per year.

3. Cycle St. Louis: The organization offers an inclusive environment and resources for St. Louisans of all abilities, as well as training on cycling safety, maintenance, and places to ride.

“When I’m with my buddies, I love riding out from Rombach Farms pumpkin patch on the levee trail to Ossenfort Road, Highway T, and Tavern Road, then circling back. It’s so beautiful and really sheds some different perspectives on the Missouri landscape, which is literally 20 minutes from downtown. When I’m with the family, I love the Katy Trail, which for the most part is car-free and has so many cool spots along the way to grab lunch or dinner. I love stopping at Cooper’s Landing near Columbia.” KEVIN NASHAN, CHEF

BIKING ST. LOUIS FOR ADVANCED RIDERS

Bluff View/Zombie Trails: Wildwood

For those seeking something more challenging, the Bluff View/Zombie Trail network, in Wildwood, offers thrills aplenty. Renowned for its single track, the area is a favorite among local mountain bikers. “The trail is narrow, consisting of dirt and rock with limestone outcroppings peppering the corridor,” says Mitch Johnson, a longtime member of the Gateway Off-Road Cyclists, which helps maintain the trails. “If you’re just going for the view, it’s 2 miles out and back.”

The Bluff View parking lot is located off Old State Road, just north of the Highway 109 intersection. A mile downhill from the parking lot is the main visual attraction: a view overlooking the Meramec River and the rolling countryside beyond. And though the view from the bluffs is nice, the scenery isn’t what draws most riders to these forested hills. Instead, they come for the single track.

For riders seeking thrills, the trail continues beyond the viewpoint for another 1.5 miles, tracing the hillside along the Meramec River. (Cyclists, hikers, runners, and equestrians share the trail, so be mindful of other users.) At the bottom of the hill, Bluff View links to the Al Foster Trail. Take a left and ride toward the paved Rock Hollow connector trail, which provides access to the famous Zombie Trail, a 7-mile single-track loop that winds through the surrounding hills.

“The Zombie loop is bisected by the Rock Hollow trail, which allows for a multitude of riding options,” says Johnson. “The riding community created an identity for each side of the loop: Zombie East and Zombie West. Both are unique and strewn with features.”

Zombie West takes riders under a rock overhang, behind an intermittent waterfall, and passes over another small waterfall while winding along a limestone cliff, creating a feeling of seclusion. Zombie East features bermed turns, allowing cyclists to maintain speed through the undulating terrain. Traveling through old-growth forest, riders drop down through The Chute, a gap in the rock allowing passage from the top of the cliff down its face. Just above The Chute, riders have the option to take Extra Credit, a technical half-mile loop designed to offer riders an added challenge without mandating passage by all users.

When you’ve had your fill, head back down Rock Hollow and along Al Foster to the Bluff View turnoff. Save some energy: It’s a 2.5-mile return climb to the Bluff View parking lot. Alternatively, there’s parking at the Al Foster trailhead, which provides access to both Bluff View and the Rock Hollow Trail/Zombie Loop.

MORE MUST-TRY RIDES

The Sunday Morning Knucklehead

One of Big Shark owner Mike Weiss’ favorite rides, this path was founded decades ago by the hearty souls who formed the backbone of organized cycling in St. Louis. If you’re keen, meet at the CVS at Brentwood and Clayton at 7 a.m. (from Labor Day to Memorial Day) or 6:30 a.m. (from Memorial Day to Labor Day), join the group, and head west on Clayton Road for a 40- to 70-mile ride that’ll take you as far as Wildwood and Babler State Park.

Greensfelder Park

A favorite of experienced local mountain bikers, this park is hilly and technical. Gateway Off-Road Cyclists has put a lot of time and effort into the development and maintenance of the trail system, and it shows.

GEAR TO GET

Roval CLX 32 Wheels

“The more experienced riders are going to tubeless tires.”

—Chuck Pass, Trailhead Mesa Cycles

Pit Stops

COFFEE AND MAINTENANCE

1. Bike Stop Café, St. Charles

2. Road Crew Coffee & Cycles, Tower Grove South

3. Cursed Bikes & Coffee, University City

Pedaling Havens

Ready to load up the bikes? Set the GPS for one of these riding destinations.

1. Penrose Park Velodrome: Located near Kingshighway and I-70, the park is one of just 27 velodromes in the nation. Bicycle designer and Olympic cyclist Frank Burlando originally designed the half-mile track, built with 28-degree banks in 1962.

2. Eureka Mountain Bike Park: This hillside park, which opened in June 2020, offers short trails, a skinny obstacle, a dual slalom track, and a progressive drop zone. The park provides a place to perfect taking on jumps, drops, and loops.

3. St. Charles Youth Activity Park: Since opening in June 2020, this asphalt track has welcomed skateboarders, scooter riders, and cyclists. A nearby 33,000-square-foot concrete skate park also accommodates bicycles, scooters, and skateboards.

“My favorite mountain biking all exists off of the Al Foster Trail. There are so many different options—you can spend a whole day there if you want!” GERARD CRAFT, CHEF

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