October 5-10, 2027
Katy Trail
Ride 240 car-free miles across Missouri on the Katy Trail, the longest continuous rail trail in the country. The smooth, crushed-stone path follows the Missouri River for much of the way, under limestone bluffs and through long stretches of quiet woodland and farmland. Each day brings a string of small river towns with 19th-century main streets, old depots, and local wineries. The ride ends in Hermann, Missouri, in time for its well-known Oktoberfest. Bike rental available.
Kansas City to St. Louis, Missouri. Hotel-based tour.
Fundraise or Pay $3,100
Event Details
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change; your Ride Guide will include full details.
Day 1
Lee’s Summit to Booneville, MO
(Each day we offer a shorter option of 35-40 miles)
62 miles, 1,300 elevation gain
We start just outside Kansas City on the Rock Island Trail, a smooth, crushed-limestone path through the rolling hills and farmland of western Missouri. Today is a warm-up for a week of car-free riding. We’ll finish in Windsor, where the Rock Island meets the Katy Trail. After a hot dinner with your new friends, we’ll spend the night at a small hotel in town.
Day 2
Windsor to Booneville, MO
57 miles, 1,100 feet of elevation gain
Today we join the famous Katy Trail. The morning brings a gradual climb to the trail’s high point, near Sedalia. From there, it’s a long, easy descent through Missouri farmland and old railroad towns. Tonight we’ll stay at a bike-friendly hotel that caters to Katy Trail riders, with time to explore Boonville before another hearty dinner.
Day 3
Booneville to Jeffersonville, MO
52 miles, 400 feet of elevation gain
Today’s route is mostly flat, following the Missouri River beneath tall limestone bluffs. We’ll ride through the Katy Trail Tunnel near Rocheport and pass the giant bur oak outside McBaine, one of the oldest trees in Missouri. Tonight we’ll share another group dinner and have time to use the hotel’s laundry and pool.
Day 4
Jeffersonville to Hermann, MO
50 miles, 500 feet of elevation gain
From Jefferson City, the trail follows the north bank of the Missouri River beneath tall limestone bluffs. The views open onto river bottomland and vineyards as you get close to Hermann, a historic German settlement known for its brick architecture, local wineries, and Oktoberfest. Tonight is free for you to join the celebration, which will be in full swing a short walk from our hotel.
Day 5
Hermann to Chesterfield, MO
58 Miles, 600 feet of elevation gain
From Hermann, you’ll cross back over the Missouri River to the trail and ride the flat, crushed-limestone path through the heart of Missouri’s wine country. The trail passes vineyards, thick riverside woods, and historic towns like Augusta on the way toward Chesterfield, where we’ll spend our final night.
Day 6
Chesterfield, MO to Trail End
69 Miles, 900 feet elevation gain, 1,100 feet of descent
The final stretch covers the last 30 miles of the Katy Trail, from Chesterfield to the trail’s official end at Machens. It’s a smooth, easy ride across the river plain, and we’ll mark the finish with a picnic lunch. Afterward, we’ll offer a shuttle either to St. Louis Lambert International Airport or back to the ride start near Kansas City, which is about a four-hour drive.
FAQs and More Info
What’s Included
- Double occupancy rooms are included from Night 1 to Night 5 (a limited number of single rooms are available for an additional single supplement fee).
- All meals are provided from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 6, with the exception of one dinner on your own in Hermann, MO. Breakfasts will be hosted by our hotels, inns, and B&Bs.
- Luggage transport
- Professional guides and bike mechanic
- Aid stations along the route
Not included:
- Bike rental
- Transportation to/from ride start and end
- One dinner and any additional beverages
- Gratuities for guides
- Single supplement fee if needed: $500
Accommodations & single supplements
This is an all-hotel, double occupancy trip. A single supplement is available for ~$500 for the entire trip if you prefer your own room and there is availability at the hotels (please inquire after you register). If you sign up as a solo traveler, we will do our best to pair you with a roommate of the same gender. If we cannot find a roommate, then you will be charged a single supplement fee of $500.
Getting to and from the ride & bike rentals
We’ll meet in Kansas City near the start of our trail. Riders can leave a car at our start location for the week and catch the optional shuttle from the trail end back to the starting point on the afternoon of Day 6. We’ll also offer a shuttle to the St. Louis Lambert International Airport for those trying to fly out of St. Louis on Day 6.
Climate Ride has a fleet of gravel bikes and e-bikes that are perfect for the Katy Trail. We’ll bring the bike to the ride start and take it with us after the event to make travel logistics easy for participants. We’ll make bike rental information available to participants after they register. You can also rent e-bikes locally or bring your own.
What type of bike should I bring and what are the roads like?
The ideal bike for this trip would be a road bike or gravel bike with 700×32-38C tires. There are a variety of surface types along the route that may include dirt, pavement, crushed limestone, and mud depending on the weather. The climbs are gentle, and even an older road bike with rim brakes and a compact double groupset would suffice as long as there is clearance for a wider tire. E-bikes are also an option.
What does my fundraising support, and why is it so important?
Cyclists can choose from the more than 100 incredible grantee organizations in our network! One of the things that make Climate Ride such an effective charitable event is that you can select the organization(s) you wish to fundraise for from our extensive list of grantees organizations. Our grantees were selected for their work on the environment, conservation, sustainability, climate education, and active transportation advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride grants the proceeds from our events to these hard-working organizations.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates
Fundraising Deadlines:
| $500 to be raised by: | 7/5/2027 |
| $1,550 to be raised by: | 8/5/2027 |
| Transfer Deadline: | 8/5/2027 |
| $3,100 to be raised by: | 9/6/2027 |
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
Full Event Story
Join us for a six-day, 315-mile supported ride across Missouri on the Rock Island and Katy Trails. In autumn, the Midwest brings cool mornings, fall color, and quiet riding on crushed-limestone trail along the Missouri River. The Katy Trail follows the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad line, so the route stays flat and almost entirely car-free as it passes river towns, limestone bluffs, farmland, and vineyards.
We start in Lee’s Summit, just outside Kansas City, and ride east toward the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Along the way, you’ll have full Climate Ride support, comfortable hotels in historic towns, local food stops, and a look at rural Missouri’s German heritage. That includes a Friday night in Hermann during its Oktoberfest. The ride ends at the Katy Trail’s eastern trailhead in Machens with a picnic lunch, followed by a shuttle to St. Louis Lambert International Airport or back to Kansas City.
