In this article, we’ll talk about the longest biking trails in the United States. These routes require that you be an advanced cyclist with sufficient training to complete them. However, the fun they provide should be a motivation to ride through them.
TransAmerica Bike Trail
The TransAmerica Bicycle Trail started in 1973 as the path for the Bikecentennial, a mass bicycle trip across the country from Alaska to Argentina. It was an ambitious project to commemorate America’s 200th birthday. The trail is 4,228 miles long and runs from Virginia’s Atlantic Coast to Oregon’s Pacific Coast. As a result, it qualifies as a coast-to-coast route. You’ll pass through the Rockies, the heart of the United States, and by the time you get to the Pacific coast, you’ll be elated that you took this route. There are parks, rest spots, mountains, and many more sights to view along the journey. Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, some of the best in the United States, are located along the trail. You’ll also see why this route has remained popular ever since. The terrain will likely alter from flat river valleys to mountains and so forth.
Mississippi River Trail Bicycle Route
The Mississippi River Trail includes 3,000 miles of bike and pedestrian routes from the Mississippi River’s source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to Venice, Louisiana, at the Mississippi’s mouth at the Gulf of Mexico. The trail follows paved highways for the majority of its length. During President Bill Clinton’s presidency, it was named one of 17 National Millennium Trails. The Mississippi River Trail runs alongside the Great River Road, a scenic byway established by the National Park Service. According to a comprehensive description by the Federal Highway Administration, this road travels through ten states.
Pacific Coast Bicycle Route
The Pacific Coast Bicycle Route passes through some of America’s most spectacular terrain. You’ll encounter marine species like sea lions along the Pacific Coast Route, and you can hear them barking as you pass. Take a look as they jump off their ledges one after the other to pursue their daily catch of fish from the sea. You’ll begin at the Washington-Canada border and pedal all the way to San Diego. The main attraction is that the route follows the coast, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop and appreciate the fresh sea breeze. The route is 1,848 miles long, but it can be extended further north to British Columbia and south to Mexico.
Lewis & Clark Bike Trail
Are you searching for a rugged trail with something for everyone? The Lewis & Clark Trail for bikers offers just the right amount of challenge and excitement. Named after two adventurers tasked with inspecting and mapping the territory acquired in Jefferson’s Louisiana, it traces their path from the Great Plains to the Pacific. This path is 4,589 miles long, stretching from Hartford, Illinois, to Portland, Oregon. However, it may be divided into eight sections, the first of which is 554 miles long and runs from Hartford to Council Bluffs. The Missoula, Montana to Clarkston, Washington section is the shortest at 245 miles. This trail will take you through various terrains, including rivers, mountains, flatlands, and so on. The experience is simply mesmerizing.
East Coast Greenway
The East Coast Greenway is a long urban trail system that connects 15 states, 450 cities, and towns along the eastern shore between Calais, Maine and Key West, Florida. It is the United States’ longest single trail for walking and biking. The Greenway caters to non-motorized people of all ages and capabilities, with a 3,000-mile main trail and 2,000 miles of additional paths connecting major towns, cities, and natural sites. This trail is entirely car-free, allowing cyclists to complete the entire course without fear of being hit by cars. This is achieved via a blend of dedicated trails and roadside right-of-ways.
The Great Divide Bike Trail
The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the first biking trail from the Adventure Cycling Association, and it passes through the Continental Divide in the US and southern Canada. The Adventure Cycling Association established and documented the trail in 1997, and it is recognized by most as the origin of bikepacking as a sport. The course follows the Continental Divide and is 90% off-road, with a few minor parts of poorly maintained tracks. Bikepacking the GDMBR demands moderate off-road mountain biking abilities, but the route’s sheer magnitude, with over 200,000 feet of altitude gains and losses, makes it a difficult endurance challenge.
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route
This trail is for cyclists who want to pedal along a route with history and charm. With the help of abolitionist movements, an estimated 100,000 enslaved people were able to obtain freedom by traveling over the Underground Railroad. This is a connected path to liberty for African-Americans held captive before and during the Civil War. Another route, The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, was created to teach, appreciate, and help raise awareness of our heritage. Riding your bike through the route, you will gain valuable knowledge while having fun. This trail’s 2028 miles should appeal to you in every way. It’s not actually underground; it’s just not well-known.
