Trails: Berryman Trail

The Berryman Trail is 26.5 miles of sweet singletrack in the midst of Missouri, about 3 hours drive west of Saint Louis. Two camping areas located along the trail allow easy trailhead access. The trail is not as technical as other area trails, like Council Bluffs, however its distance will challenge most riders. Follow the Boy Scout Motto (Be Prepared) by bringing along plenty of water and trail food for the 4-6 hour ride.

The trail takes is a long loop, so you can be sure that you will not be seeing anything twice. The best time to ride it is in the spring or fall. If riding in the fall, be sure to wear bright colors to protect you from hunters (they are actually looking for deer, but they could mistake you for a fast four legged creature!).

The interesting thing about Berryman is the trails diversity. Either because of its length, or topography of the area (probably a little of both), the trail goes through a lot of different types of terrain. Most of the trail is really dry, with some areas riding through loamy, pine covered ground. However, one particular section gets so wet, you’d think you were in a swamp. There is a few rock gardens that allow you to test your suspension, and a lot of smooth flowing hills and twisty singletrack that follows a hillside’s contour line.