West Alton Bike Trail
in West Alton, Missouri

The West Alton Trail provides a scenic, key link between Missouri’s KATY Trail and Illinois trails such as the Samuel Vadalabene/Great River Road Bike Trail and the proposed Confluence Levee Trail along the Mississippi River. Formed from a railroad track, the West Alton Trail is two miles long and extends from St. Charles Street in West Alton to the Lincoln-Shields Recreation Area at the approach to the Clark Bridge. A boat launch, picnic facilities and restrooms are available at the Lincoln-Shields Recreation Area.

The Clark Bridge, a beautiful suspension bridge that opened in 1994, crosses the Mississippi River between its confluence with the Illinois and Missouri Rivers. The bridge has ten foot wide shoulders in both directions that are marked for bicycles and pedestrians.

Opened in September 1995, the West Alton Trail is surfaced with crushed, hardpack limestone, similar to the surface on the KATY Trail. Members of Trailnet and other volunteers join in maintaining the trail at seasonal work parties where new helpers are always welcome. Half of the trail is owned and operated by Trailnet, Inc., and the other half is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Information provided by Trailnet Inc.

Learn more about the Alton area.