The famous Missisippi River Trail is a little sketchy on the Missouri side--we passed over it once while wandering off the Katy in St. Charles and it leads to a very dangerous bridge. However, I believe it parallels the MCT Confluence from Alton. Watch for the green MRT signs.

We parked at Russell Commons Park in Alton. After you come across the 367 bridge from the south, go right, then make your next right on Discovery Road (you can also go left, then left on Ridge Rd, then left back to the parking lot). This path is 18 miles long, but if you want to the Old Chain of Rocks bridge you have to turn off--it is poorly marked and we missed it the first time. But, let me start from the beginning.

The path is mostly paved, with occassional "chip and seal." You head out past the Lock & Dam 26, Hartford Tower and Lewis & Clark museum. At some point, you will reach a gate that says, "walk your bikes across." These are very annoying, but there are only 4--don't let them discourage you. You are up on the levee with a great view of sunflowers and a canal from the river. This is a very quiet trail, we had it mostly to ourselves.

IMPORTANT: you will see a blue sign that says something like "IL scenic trail." Turn LEFT off the Levee here! You will have passed under the 270 bridge and there is another bridge just ahead of you (Canal bridge). The path takes you down and makes a left to get on the bridge. There are bike signs and as you turn right, you will see a sign for "Chouteau Island." There is a separate bike lane and there is very little traffic on the bridge. You then ride across Chouteau Island and the Chain of Rock bridge will appear. CHECK THEIR WEBSITE: The sign says it opens at dusk, but the website says 9:00 am. We rolled up just as they opened.

The Chain of Rocks bridge was an amazing experience. I went just to say I had been there--TrailNet privately funded changing the bridge over for foot and bike traffic. But it was more than I expected. Check the website for special events. Definitely worth the trip.

If you are continuing on the Riverfront trail, make an immediate left at the end of the bridge. You will see a sign. We stopped here at the picnic tables and turned around, but I would have easily headed across the parking lot and picked up another paved path instead. There was a lot of traffic coming up the path from the south--so this path looks busier.