Route: Katy Trail (MO)

Location
Missouri, US
Distance
262.9 mi
Description

About Katy Trail State Park, MO

The Katy Trail is a 237 mile (386 km) trail stretching across most of the state of Missouri.  (Use this link if you're looking for the Dallas Katy Trail).  Over half of it follows Lewis and Clark's path up the Missouri River, where you can ride beneath towering river bluffs while eagles circle overhead.  After leaving the river, the trail meanders through peaceful farmland and small-town Americana.

America's longest "rails-to-trail" project, formerly the MKT rail line, is flat and scenic.  It's ideal for hiking, running, or cycling on just about any kind of bike.  Horseback riding is also allowed on a 35 mile section of the trail, from Sedalia to Clinton.  Also, the Katy Trail's Tebbetts-Portland section now allows equestrian use.

Many cross-country cyclists include the Katy Trail in their tours.  It is part of Adventure Cycling's Lewis & Clark route, as well as the American Discovery Trail

Runners love to use the Katy Trail for Long Slow Distance runs, because it's flat, scenic, and the crushed limestone trail surface is easy on your legs.  The only drawback is that there are long distances without access to water, so runners and hikers might need to carry your their water.  Or simply plan your excursion along parts of the trail where the towns offering water, groceries, or vending machines are not too far apart.  For example, Defiance and Matson are only 1.5 miles apart, and Peers and Marthasville are 2 miles apart.  Lots of towns are about 5 miles from the next town.

GPS Track

Comments

Posted at the old site:

¡Hola, amigos!

Our Katy Trail run is on! J.T. Hardy and myself (David Stores) will be starting from the western terminus of the Katy Trail in Clinton on the evening of Wednesday, March 28. We will be going self supported to Machens pushing a Bob jogger (to store gear, food and water) all the way to the eastern terminus of the Katy Trail in Machens, Mo. roughly 240 miles away. I’ll also be using a Garmin Fenix 3 and my iphone (for pictures). You can track us via: share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=09HV3s7t04DxVR8WR2zqsPIfBjhhaPbTD

Will post a report with pictures after the run.

Cheers!

Gringorunner

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Hello Everyone;

‘My Team and I (Farhad Zarif) will be Starting our run to beat the Katy Trail 237 Miles (3d 10h 8min 7s) Record,  on October 1st, 2020 at 7am. We will be Running under the banner of (Love & Peace). I will be starting on Manhens, mo and Ending on Clinton, mo. I will be using a Garmin Fenix6/ Strava/ Live iPhone updates (Pictures/Videos)! 

Farhad Zarif
May God Bless & May God Bless the United States of America ?? 

 

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Hi all, I will be attempting the Katy trail run starting May 9th. If you have any tips or tricks feel free to comment and let me know. 

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My buddy and I completed this route in less than 48 hours last summer. I also know someone out of Columbia, MO who completed the whole thing in under a day. How do I go about updating this? 

Running or biking? These FKT attempts are for running. You could review the FKT guidelines to see what is needed.

Has anyone done an out-and-back FKT on the Katy? If so can someone post the link here for reference? Not finding it but perhaps I'm not looking rightly for it. Thx

How is everyone handling the fact that you aren't supposed to be on the trail at night?