By Emily HastingsUpdated November 2026
Looking for bike trails St Louis riders can count on? Whether you want paved paths along the river, gravel loops out past Sullivan, or singletrack in the hills, a good guidebook can save hours of planning. This list focuses on published guides to the St. Louis area that cover bike routes, paths and trail-based outings. We weighed the scope of each book (cycling-specific versus general hiking), how well it covers the region, whether the publisher has an established track record with regional outdoor guides, and the kind of detail owners commonly mention, such as route descriptions, mileage and parking information. We did not ride or test these books ourselves, and details can change, so confirm trail conditions with local park agencies before you go.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallCycling St. Louis: The Complete Guide to St. Louis Area Road Rides, BiView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for hikers who also rideBest Hikes St. Louis (Best Hikes Near Series)View on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for day trips beyond the city60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis: Including Sullivan, Potosi, and FarmingtonView on Amazon - 4
Best for park-by-park planningParks, Trails, & Hikes in the St. Louis Area and Selected Parts of MissouriView on Amazon - 5
Best budget pick for urban walks and trailsHiking St. Louis: A Guide to 30 Wooded Hiking and Walking Trails in the St. Louis AreaView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Cycling St. Louis | Riders wanting road, path and mountain bike options in one book | Covers road rides, bike paths and mountain biking trails |
| Best Hikes St. Louis | Riders who also enjoy hiking on foot | Hike-focused descriptions with trail details |
| 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis | Day trips from the city | Covers destinations including Sullivan, Potosi and Farmington |
| Parks, Trails, & Hikes in the St. Louis Area | Park-by-park planning | Organized by park and trail system across the region |
| Hiking St. Louis | Shorter wooded trail outings | A guide to 30 wooded hiking and walking trails |
Cycling St. Louis: The Complete Guide to St. Louis Area Road Rides, Bike Paths, Mountain Biking Trails and Other Two-Wheel Getaways (Show Me Series)
Cycling St. Louis: The Complete Guide to St. Louis Area Road Rides, Bike Paths, Mountain Biking Trails and Other Two-Wheel Getaways (Show Me Series)
Best for: Riders who want the widest cycling-specific coverage of the St. Louis area
This is the most directly relevant book on the list for anyone searching bike trails St Louis. It is written for people who ride bicycles, so it covers road routes, paved bike paths and mountain bike trails rather than only foot trails. Riders planning a mixed-surface weekend or looking for a regional overview will get the most from it.
Key specs
- Format: regional cycling guide from the Show Me Series
- Coverage: road rides, bike paths, mountain biking trails and longer two-wheel getaways
- Geographic focus: St. Louis area
Pros
- Covers road, path and off-road riding in one volume
- Cycling-specific focus rather than general outdoor recreation
- Useful for planning trips beyond the city limits
Cons
- Trail and route conditions may have changed since publication
- Less depth on hiking-only trails
Bottom line: The best starting point for most riders searching for bike trails in St Louis. Pair it with current park maps for the latest conditions.
Best Hikes St. Louis (Best Hikes Near Series)
Best Hikes St. Louis (Best Hikes Near Series)
Best for: Riders who also enjoy hiking and want trail descriptions for walking days
This guide is built around hiking, so it works well for riders who want to combine bike rides with foot trails in the same park system. Owners often mention the readable trail descriptions and the way the book is organized by area.
Key specs
- Series: Best Hikes Near
- Geographic focus: St. Louis region
- Focus: hiking trails and walking routes
Pros
- Clear trail descriptions for hikers and walkers
- Useful for multi-use parks where bikes are sometimes restricted
- Part of a series with a consistent format
Cons
- Limited coverage of cycling-only routes
- Not designed for bike route planning
Bottom line: A good pick for riders who spend as much time on foot as on wheels. Check bike rules for each trail before riding.
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis: Including Sullivan, Potosi, and Farmington
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis: Including Sullivan, Potosi, and Farmington
Best for: Day trips from the city to rural and small-town destinations
If your bike trails St Louis search is really about getting out of town, this book helps. It focuses on destinations within about an hour of the city, including the towns named in the title. Riders planning weekend loops in the Meramec and Missouri River country may find it useful for route ideas.
Key specs
- Coverage: 60 destinations within 60 miles of St. Louis
- Named areas include Sullivan, Potosi and Farmington
- Focus: day-trip hiking and outdoor outings
Pros
- Good for planning destinations beyond the metro area
- Covers a wide geographic range in one book
- Easy to use for choosing a day trip
Cons
- Hiking-oriented, so bike access must be checked separately
- Route details may need confirmation with local agencies
Bottom line: Best for riders who like to combine a drive with a day of riding or walking outside the city.
Parks, Trails, & Hikes in the St. Louis Area and Selected Parts of Missouri
Parks, Trails, & Hikes in the St. Louis Area and Selected Parts of Missouri
Best for: Park-by-park planning across the region
This title is organized around parks and trail systems, which makes it useful when you want to know what a specific park offers before you ride. It also covers selected areas of the wider state, giving riders more options for longer trips.
Key specs
- Coverage: St. Louis area and selected parts of Missouri
- Organization: by park and trail system
- Focus: parks, trails and hikes
Pros
- Organized by park, which suits planning a specific ride
- Covers both the metro area and parts of the state
- Useful reference for comparing trail systems
Cons
- Not specialized for cycling routes
- Details may be dated; verify with park offices
Bottom line: A solid reference for riders who prefer to plan by park rather than by ride type.
Hiking St. Louis: A Guide to 30 Wooded Hiking and Walking Trails in the St. Louis Area
Hiking St. Louis: A Guide to 30 Wooded Hiking and Walking Trails in the St. Louis Area
Best for: Shorter wooded outings and a budget-friendly starting point
This guide concentrates on 30 wooded hiking and walking trails, which makes it a manageable choice for riders who want shaded, shorter outings. It is a narrower book, so it suits people who want a focused selection rather than a comprehensive regional atlas.
Key specs
- Coverage: 30 wooded hiking and walking trails
- Geographic focus: St. Louis area
- Focus: hiking and walking
Pros
- Focused selection that is easy to work through
- Good for shaded, shorter outings
- A practical budget pick for the region
Cons
- Limited to 30 trails, so coverage is narrower
- Few cycling-specific routes
Bottom line: Good for riders who want a compact, walking-focused guide to add variety to their weekends.
Buying Guide
Cycling Versus Hiking Focus
Check whether a book is written for cyclists or for walkers. Cycling-specific guides describe road routes, paved paths and bike-legal singletrack, while hiking guides may omit bike access rules entirely. For bike trails St Louis planning, a cycling-focused title saves time.
Good picks for this: Cycling St. Louis, Best Hikes St. Louis
Geographic Coverage
Look at the area each book covers. Some focus tightly on the city and inner suburbs, while others extend to river towns and rural Missouri. Decide whether you ride mostly close to home or plan longer trips, then match the book to that radius.
Good picks for this: 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis, Parks, Trails, & Hikes in the St. Louis Area
Organization and Navigation
Some guides are arranged by route, others by park or by destination. Park-based organization helps when you know where you want to ride, while route-based books suit people who want to pick an outing by distance or difficulty.
Good picks for this: Parks, Trails, & Hikes in the St. Louis Area, Cycling St. Louis
Trail Difficulty and Surface Type
Note whether the book distinguishes paved paths, gravel, and singletrack. Mixed-surface riders should look for guides that cover several surfaces, since a road-only book will leave out much of what the region offers.
Good picks for this: Cycling St. Louis, Best Hikes St. Louis
Currency of Information
Trail closures, new paths and park changes happen regularly. Check the publication date, and plan to confirm current conditions with park agencies. Guides are a starting point, not a live map.
Good picks for this: Cycling St. Louis, Hiking St. Louis
Trip Length and Scope
Decide whether you want short wooded outings or full-day destinations. A compact guide suits quick after-work rides, while a broader book suits planning longer weekend routes.
Good picks for this: Hiking St. Louis, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis
Format and Portability
Think about how you will use the guide. Some riders prefer a paper book they can mark up, while others will photograph the relevant pages for their phone. Choose a format that fits how you plan and carry information on rides.
Good picks for this: Best Hikes St. Louis, Parks, Trails, & Hikes in the St. Louis Area
FAQ
What are the best bike trails in St Louis for beginners?
Beginners usually do best on paved paths and flatter park loops. Cycling St. Louis covers bike paths alongside road and mountain routes, so it helps you identify the easier options before you commit to a longer ride.
Are hiking guides useful for bike trail planning?
They can be, especially on multi-use trails, but many hiking guides do not state whether bikes are allowed. Always check trail rules with the managing agency before riding.
Do I need a guidebook if I use online maps?
Online maps show current layouts, while guidebooks often provide context, difficulty notes and destination ideas. Many riders use both: a book for planning and a map app for navigation.
How often should I check trail conditions?
Check before every ride, especially after heavy rain, flooding or seasonal closures. Park websites and local bike shops are common sources for current information.
Which guide covers destinations beyond the city?
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis focuses on destinations within about an hour of the metro area, including Sullivan, Potosi and Farmington.
Can I use these guides for mountain biking?
Cycling St. Louis includes mountain biking trails among its topics. Other titles focus mainly on hiking, so they are better for scouting access than for technical riding details.
Conclusion
For most riders searching for bike trails St Louis offers, Cycling St. Louis is the most relevant starting point because it is written for cyclists and covers road, path and mountain options. If you also hike, Best Hikes St. Louis adds useful foot-trail detail. Riders planning day trips should look at 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis, while those who plan by park will find Parks, Trails, & Hikes in the St. Louis Area helpful. For a compact, budget-minded walking option, Hiking St. Louis covers 30 wooded trails. Whichever you choose, verify current conditions with park agencies before you ride.
Sources
- Federal guidance on trail etiquette, multi-use trail rules and safe recreation practices (nps.gov)
- Information on bicycle and pedestrian facility design and trail standards (fhwa.dot.gov)
- Resources on bike route planning, trail safety and riding infrastructure
Related reading
- Bike Trails in St Louis MO: 6 Best Guides and Routes Compared (2026)
- Bike Trails St Augustine Florida: 7 Best Routes for Every Rider
- Top 8 Mountain Bike Trails Sedonas: Routes for Every Skill Level
- Top 8 Mountain Bike Trails Sedona Arizonas for Every Skill Level
About Emily Hastings
Emily puts together our bike touring & bikepacking guides, digging through specifications, manufacturer details and owner reviews so you don't have to.
