The Many Faces of the Katy Trail SAINT CHARLES, MO - Missouri's Katy Trail is not just for cyclists. On a trip along the trail, you might encounter ecotourists or antique hounds, honeymooners or history buffs. Visitors are drawn to the "Katy" for a variety of reasons: to follow the paths traveled by Lewis and Clark and glimpse the frontier spirit that forged the trail westward; to admire the majestic limestone bluffs, wildlife and wetlands of the area; to experience the slower pace of small-town America. Whatever the attraction, visitors of all ages and interests find the Katy Trail the perfect getaway. Built on 233 miles of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad line, the Katy Trail was developed soon after the rail line was closed in 1986. More than 100 years since the railroad first wound its way through the state, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources converted the Katy into one of the longest Rails-to-Trails projects in the United States. The Katy begins near the cobblestone streets of the Historic Main Street District in St. Charles where an old train depot reminds visitors of the trail's past life as a railroad bed. A French settlement dating back to the mid-1700s, St. Charles' rich history includes being the state's first capital, the site of the Lewis & Clark Rendezvous in 1804, the origin of the Boone's Lick Trail and home to Daniel Boone. Eclectic shops, fine dining, occasional live music and seasonal festivals held here each year make it an ideal starting place for a tour of the Katy Trail. South of St. Charles, the Katy Trail winds through the Weldon Spring Conservation Area, a recreational region that offers hiking and biking trails through much of its 7,230 acres. Here, hikers can explore upland terrain and bottomland forests dotted with ponds and criss-crossed by babbling creeks on the 8.2-mile Lewis Hiking Trail and the 5.3-mile Clark Hiking Trail. Nearby, the eight-mile Lost Valley hiking and biking trail offers a challenge to advanced hikers and mountain bikers with steep hills and rugged topography. Traveling along the trail by bicycle or by foot, visitors experience an area rich in biological diversity, with wetlands and upland and bottomland forest. Wildflowers are abundant and the trail is ideal for bird watching -- because of its location along the Missouri River flyway, migrating birds and waterfowl are often seen. Towering bluffs of limestone, dolomite, sandstone and white quartz border sections of the trail. The Katy Trail runs through or near many small towns, each with its own style and flavor. Many feature trailside cafes, antique shops, museums and enough nooks and crannies to let visitors explore the day away. For visitors who wish to stay the night, numerous bed-and-breakfast inns and campsites are available near the trail. And in addition to the everyday charm of these hamlets, many are also home to some of Missouri's best festivals. St. Charles hosts the Festival of the Little Hills in August, Sedalia is home to the State Fair, Boonville hosts the Big Muddy Folk Festival and Hartsburg's Pumpkin Festival attracts crowds every October. Saint Charles, Missouri is located on I-70, 10 minutes from St. Louis Lambert International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis, Missouri and hosts an array of accommodations, from bed & breakfasts to quality hotels. The Main Street Historic District and Frenchtown Antique District are full of shopping and dining establishments while nearby wineries and wildlife refuges offer visitors the chance to enjoy outstanding vistas and award winning wines. For additional information, call 1-800-366-2427.