St. Louis / Il Bluffs / MO Mining Country Loop

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Cross the Poplar Street Bridge from St. Louis to Illinois and take the first exit on the right to Route 3. In Dupo, cut off to a parallel rouad through town and continue South to Columbia. Pick up the Bluff Road to Prairie du Rocher and Modoc just past the Route 3 overpass. The Modoc Ferry to Ste. Genevieve, MO costs $6 for motorcycle/trike and riders. Follow the signs in Ste. Genevieve to Missouri Rt. 61 but then cut off on Route 32 West when you get near I-55. Take Route 32 West to Route 21 North. Route 21 becomes Tesson Ferry Road in St. Louis County.

After riding through about 10 miles of industrial wasteland in East St. Louis, Cahokia and Dupo, the route follows the Mississippi River flood plain below the river bluffs from Columbia, IL to Prairie du Rocher, IL. Nice flat road in Illinois with good views of the fertile bottom land. Stop at Ft. Chartres State Park (colonial era restored French/British fort). Great place for a picnic lunch. Continue along the Bluff Road to the Modoc Ferry to Ste. Genevieve, MO. Beautiful rolling hills and gentle curves along Missouri routes 32 and 21, passing through the lead mining region, before returning to St. Louis.Pack a picnic lunch if you plan to do this trip in one day. Its an all day affair, at least 6 hours.

Flat along the Bluff Road in Illinois with a bit of loose gravel here and there and a couple of rough railroad crossings. Watch out for possible clearance issues on the Modoc Ferry loading ramps if you are on a trike.

Amenities rating: Nothing along the Bluff Road in Illinois for the 50 mile stretch so fill up at the Shell station at the exit from Rt. 3 in Illinois if you are low on gas. Lots of places for food and fuel in Missouri. Check out the cafes in Ste. Genevieve. Consider spending a night at one of the B&Bs in town.

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