The best cycling routes around Glen Echo Park
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Touring cycling around Glen Echo Park offers a variety of routes, primarily featuring urban park settings and riverside paths. The area's terrain is generally flat to gently rolling, suitable for various skill levels. These routes often follow established paths, providing accessible options for touring cyclists.
Best touring cycling routes around Glen Echo Park
- The most popular touring cycling route is Wheels Path – Forest Park loop from Washington University in St. Louis, an easy 5.7 miles (9.2 km) trail that takes 34 minutes to complete. This route offers a pleasant ride through a well-maintained park environment.
- Another top favourite among local touring cyclists is Barnes-Jewish Hospital – Tower Grove Park loop from Central West End, a moderate 31.1 miles (49.9 km) path. This route features a mix of urban and park scenery with some gentle elevation changes.
- Local touring cyclists also love the Boathouse Lake Pavilion loop from Delmar Loop, a 31.9 miles (51.4 km) trail leading through parklands and around a lake, often completed in about 3 hours 3 minutes.
- Touring cycling around Glen Echo Park is defined by accessible park paths, urban green spaces, and routes suitable for various distances. The network offers options for different ability levels, from easy loops to more moderate journeys.
- The routes in Glen Echo Park are highly rated by the komoot community with an average score of 3.9 stars from over 11 reviews. More than 150 touring cyclists have used komoot to explore Glen Echo Park's varied terrain.
Last updated: June 25, 2026
5.0
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36
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10.6km
00:40
70m
70m
The Forest Park Wheels Path loop offers a delightful touring cycling experience through one of St. Louis's most beloved green spaces. This fully paved route winds past abundant trees, expansive lawns, and serene waters like Boathouse Lake, providing a refreshing escape from the city. You'll also catch glimpses of iconic landmarks such as the Saint Louis Zoo and the Saint Louis Art Museum, making for a visually engaging ride.
Starting from Discovery Corner Station, parking is generally free and readily available throughout Forest Park, making access convenient for your cycling adventure. The path is very popular, so while it's designed for bikes, be prepared to share the space with other users. It's an ideal route for a leisurely ride any time of day, especially when you want to enjoy the park's vibrant atmosphere.
This easy 6.6-mile (10.6 km) loop features a minimal 227 feet (69 metres) of elevation gain, making it suitable for beginner cyclists, families, or anyone looking for a quick 40-minute spin. The dedicated Wheels Path ensures a smooth ride, while the adjacent "Heels Path" helps separate foot traffic, contributing to a pleasant and accessible cycling experience for all.
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28.1km
01:42
170m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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13
riders
24.4km
01:26
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
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6
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50.8km
03:03
300m
300m
This touring cycling route offers a delightful journey through Forest Park, showcasing its diverse urban green spaces, woodlands, and even some prairie landscapes. You'll pedal past the iconic Grand Basin, a picturesque water feature that adds to the park's charm. The terrain is predominantly paved and generally accessible, making for a smooth ride with gentle elevation changes.
Connecting from Clayton to Forest Park is made easy by well-established routes like the Centennial Greenway, providing excellent segments for cyclists. While specific parking details for this exact loop aren't highlighted, Forest Park is well-equipped for visitors, and it's always a good idea to arrive early on busy days. Remember to yield to pedestrians on shared paths.
This moderate 31.6-mile (50.8 km) loop, with 969 feet (295 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes about 3 hours and 3 minutes to complete. It's a fantastic way to experience one of St. Louis's most beloved urban parks, offering a blend of natural beauty and well-maintained cycling infrastructure suitable for a longer, yet not overly strenuous, outing.
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Popular around Glen Echo Park
Tips from the Community
Forest Park is a huge recreational park in the heart of St. Louis. The park is perfect for relaxing, biking, golfing, and exploring the various cultural offerings at the Museum of History, St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, or Planetarium. It's also easily accessible by metro.
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The bike lanes here are wonderful. The connectors could be improved though!
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If you want to bike (or inline skate), this is the trail for you; it keeps faster-moving trail users separate from the slower walkers and runners on the "Heels" Trail. Both trails form a full loop around the park.
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Tower Grove park is a historical green space made up of about seven thousand trees with flowerbeds throughout. It is located adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, which are well worth visiting while there.
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Forest Park, with 1,326 acres, is considered one of the premier urban public parks in the US. It features beautiful landscapes sprinkled with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, and lakes and streams. It als contains cultural institutions including the St Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Science Center, and Muny Opera.
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Jefferson Lake is situated in the very east of the huge Forest Park in St. Louis. There are multiple picnic areas around the lake to enjoy a great natural setting in the city. The lake is a famous spot for fishing and the paths leading around the lake (and the rest of the park), are perfect for jogging.
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Forest Park, with 1,326 acres, is considered one of the premier urban public parks in the US. It features beautiful landscapes sprinkled with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, and lakes and streams. It als contains cultural institutions including the St Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Science Center, and Muny Opera.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of terrain can I expect on touring cycling routes around Glen Echo Park?
The touring cycling routes around Glen Echo Park primarily feature urban park settings and riverside paths. The terrain is generally flat to gently rolling, making it suitable for various skill levels. You'll find established paths that offer accessible options for touring cyclists.
Are there easy touring cycling routes suitable for beginners or families?
Yes, Glen Echo Park offers several easy routes perfect for beginners or family outings. For example, the Wheels Path – Forest Park loop from Washington University in St. Louis is an easy 5.7-mile (9.2 km) trail that takes about 34 minutes to complete, offering a pleasant ride through a well-maintained park environment.
How many touring cycling routes are available in the Glen Echo Park area?
There are 14 touring cycling routes available around Glen Echo Park, catering to a range of abilities. This includes 3 easy routes, 10 moderate routes, and 1 more challenging option.
What are some moderate touring cycling routes for those looking for a longer ride?
For those seeking a longer, moderate ride, the Barnes-Jewish Hospital – Tower Grove Park loop from Central West End is a popular choice. This 31.1-mile (49.9 km) path features a mix of urban and park scenery with some gentle elevation changes. Another option is the Wheels Path – Forest Park loop from Clayton, a 17.3-mile (27.8 km) moderate route.
Are there any challenging touring cycling routes in the Glen Echo Park area?
While most routes are easy to moderate, there is one route classified as difficult among the 14 available touring cycling options around Glen Echo Park for those looking for a greater challenge.
What kind of natural attractions or landmarks can I see along the touring cycling routes?
Many routes pass by beautiful natural features and landmarks. You can explore areas like Forest Park, Post-Dispatch Lake, Jefferson Lake, and the Emerson Grand Basin. You might also encounter points of interest such as the Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Memorial.
What do other touring cyclists say about the routes around Glen Echo Park?
The routes in Glen Echo Park are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 3.9 stars from over 11 reviews. Cyclists often praise the accessible park paths and urban green spaces, noting the variety of options for different ability levels.
Are there any circular touring cycling routes available?
Yes, many of the routes are designed as loops, offering convenient circular tours. For instance, the Boathouse Lake Pavilion loop from Delmar Loop is a 31.9-mile (51.4 km) trail that leads through parklands and around a lake, providing a scenic circular ride.
What is the typical duration for touring cycling routes in this area?
Route durations vary significantly depending on the distance and your pace. Easy routes like the Wheels Path – Forest Park loop can be completed in under an hour, while longer moderate routes such as the The Grand Basin, Forest Park – Grand Drive loop from Clayton can take around 3 hours 20 minutes.
Is Glen Echo Park a good destination for touring cyclists?
Yes, Glen Echo Park is a great destination for touring cyclists. With 14 routes ranging from easy to difficult, and an average community rating of 3.9 stars, it offers diverse options for exploring urban parks, riverside paths, and green spaces. Over 150 touring cyclists have already used komoot to discover the area.
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