The best road cycling routes in St. Louis County

St. Louis County offers a wide variety of road cycling routes. There are nearly 200 routes available, with 82 considered easy, 99 moderate, and 8 difficult, catering to all skill levels.

Yes, St. Louis County has many accessible and easy routes perfect for beginners and families. The Gravois Greenway and River des Peres Greenway Loop is a popular choice, offering varied scenery over 22.3 miles. Another great option is the Kirkland to Meramec River loop, which is also easy and provides pleasant views. Grant's Trail, an 8-mile paved route, is also noted as an excellent historical journey.

Many routes in St. Louis County boast beautiful riverfront scenery. The Mississippi River Trail: St. Louis Loop provides diverse views along the Mississippi River. The Florissant and Mississippi River Trail Loop also integrates historic sites with river views. For views of the Meramec River, consider the Eureka to Missouri River loop, which features rolling hills and river vistas.

For a more challenging ride with substantial elevation, the Oakville — Eureka loop is a difficult route covering over 70 miles with significant climbs. The Le Cave Memorial Trailhead – Centaur Road loop also offers a moderate challenge with over 700 meters of elevation gain.

Yes, St. Louis County offers several options for longer rides. The Oakville — Eureka loop is a challenging 71.6-mile route. The Mississippi River Trail: St. Louis Loop is another excellent choice at 43.9 miles, providing extensive river views.

St. Louis County's routes often pass by interesting attractions. You can enjoy views of Mallard Lake and the Sunset View of Creve Coeur Lake. The River des Peres Greenway is a notable cycling path itself, and the Veterans Memorial Bridge offers scenic crossings. The historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, now car-free, is also a popular spot for cyclists with great Mississippi River views.

Many of the best road cycling routes in St. Louis County are loops, making for convenient rides. Examples include the popular Gravois Greenway and River des Peres Greenway Loop, the Eureka to Missouri River loop, and the Mallard Lake – Creve Coeur Lake loop.

The road cycling experience in St. Louis County is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.7 stars from over 100 reviews. Cyclists frequently praise the extensive network of greenways, the varied riverfront paths, and the well-maintained routes that cater to different ability levels, from flat, accessible trails to more challenging routes with rolling hills.

Absolutely. St. Louis County is rich in green spaces. Forest Park offers a 6.6-mile loop and additional pathways within its vast area. Creve Coeur Park features over a dozen miles of paved pathways around its 320-acre lake, including the Creve Coeur Park Connector. The Meramec Greenway Trail also winds through woodlands and connects various parks.

St. Louis County offers a diverse range of terrain. You'll find extensive greenways and flat riverfront paths along the Mississippi and Meramec Rivers, ideal for leisurely rides. However, there are also areas with rolling hills and bluffs, particularly on routes like the Manchester Road – Wild Horse Creek Road loop, providing more challenging climbs and descents.

Yes, you can combine cycling with history in St. Louis County. Grant's Trail is an 8-mile paved route built on a former railroad line, offering a journey through the area's past. The Florissant and Mississippi River Trail Loop also integrates historic sites into its scenic path.