There is no better way to see the country than from the seat of a bicycle.
The idea of a great American road trip is a classic, but a far more intimate and rewarding way to see the country is by bike. Exploring America’s diverse landscapes on two wheels connects you to the terrain in a way a car never can, with the wind in your face and a 360-degree view of your surroundings. It’s a slower, more deliberate way to travel that creates lasting memories.
Here are thirteen incredible routes that offer something for every rider, from easy coastal cruisers to epic mountain adventures.
1. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail is the quintessential Southern California ride.
This 22-mile paved path, known to locals simply as “The Strand,” is the perfect easy day ride. It runs from Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades all the way down to Torrance County Beach, connecting iconic spots like the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, and the Manhattan Beach Pier. The path is completely flat and separated from traffic, making it ideal for beginners and families.
You’ll get a front-row seat to the vibrant, chaotic, and beautiful spectacle of Los Angeles beach culture. A short drive from my home in Ventura, it’s a perfect example of a ride that’s all about the scenery and the people-watching, according to Ergon Bike.
2. The Historic Hiawatha Trail is a stunning downhill journey.
Often called one of the most beautiful rail-trails in the country, the Route of the Hiawatha is a gentle, 15-mile downhill ride that follows the path of an old railroad through the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho and Montana. The trail is famous for taking riders through ten historic train tunnels, including the pitch-black, 1.66-mile-long Taft Tunnel, and across seven towering steel trestle bridges, as mentioned by IMBA.
The gentle 2% downhill grade makes it accessible to riders of all ages and abilities. You can rent bikes and headlamps at the trailhead, and a shuttle bus will bring you back to the top when you’re done, making for a completely stress-free adventure.
3. The Great Allegheny Passage is a car-free journey through history.
For a longer but still manageable adventure, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) offers 150 miles of nearly level, car-free trail from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland. The trail follows the path of old railway lines through the Appalachian Mountains, passing through historic steel towns, crossing viaducts, and winding through beautiful state parks, as shared by Exploring Wild.
It’s a perfect multi-day trip for intermediate cyclists, with charming small towns and B&Bs located right off the trail. In Cumberland, the GAP connects with the C&O Canal Towpath, allowing ambitious riders to continue all the way to Washington, D.C.
4. The Katy Trail is a peaceful ride across Missouri.
At 240 miles, the Katy Trail is the longest continuous rail-trail in the United States. It stretches across most of the state of Missouri, following the former route of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad along the banks of the Missouri River. The flat, crushed-limestone path is ideal for intermediate riders looking for a multi-day tour without any grueling hills.
The trail is known for its peaceful, rural scenery, its access to charming small towns, and the numerous wineries that dot the route, especially in the area around Hermann. It’s a fantastic way to see the heartland of America at a slow, relaxed pace.
5. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a fun, shuttle-assisted ride.
This 34-mile trail in southwest Virginia is famous for its unique topography and the shuttle services that make it accessible to everyone. The classic way to ride the Creeper is to take a shuttle from Damascus or Abingdon to the top of Whitetop Mountain. From there, the first 17 miles are almost entirely downhill, offering a thrilling and scenic ride that requires very little pedaling.
The trail passes through dense forests, over dozens of historic railroad trestles, and alongside the rushing Whitetop Laurel Creek. It’s an incredibly fun and beautiful ride that is perfect for families and casual cyclists.
6. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a road cyclist’s dream.
For serious road cyclists, there are few climbs in America as iconic and breathtaking as the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana. This 50-mile road is a marvel of engineering, carved into the side of the mountains and crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. The views of the glacial valleys and towering peaks are simply phenomenal.
The road is only fully open for a few months in the summer, and for a brief period in the late spring, it is open to cyclists only before the cars are allowed in. This offers a magical, car-free window to experience one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
7. The White Rim Trail is an epic mountain bike adventure.
For experienced mountain bikers, the 100-mile White Rim Trail in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park is a bucket-list trip. This rugged dirt road follows the rim of a massive sandstone mesa, offering spectacular views of the canyons and the Colorado and Green Rivers below. It is a challenging, multi-day ride that requires complete self-sufficiency, as there is no water available along the route.
Most riders use a four-wheel-drive vehicle to carry their camping gear and supplies. It is a true backcountry adventure that rewards hardy cyclists with incredible solitude and some of the most stunning desert scenery on the planet.
8. The Whole Enchilada in Moab is a world-famous descent.
Considered by many to be one of the best mountain bike trails in the world, The Whole Enchilada in Moab, Utah, is a legendary and challenging descent. The full trail starts high in the La Sal Mountains in an alpine forest and drops nearly 8,000 vertical feet over 27 miles, ending at the Colorado River. It’s a shuttle-accessed ride that takes you through multiple distinct ecosystems.
The trail is a technical and demanding adventure, with a mix of fast, flowing singletrack, rocky sections, and steep descents. It is a must-ride for any serious, advanced-level mountain biker.
9. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is the ultimate challenge.
This is the granddaddy of all off-road bike routes. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the longest and most remote mountain bike trail in the world, stretching over 2,700 miles from Banff, Alberta, in Canada, to the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico. It follows the Continental Divide through a series of dirt roads and rugged trails.
This is an epic, months-long adventure that requires serious planning, physical endurance, and mental fortitude. It is a true test of self-reliance and is considered one of the pinnacles of achievement in the world of bikepacking.
10. The Shining Sea Bikeway is a perfect Cape Cod cruise.
For a completely flat and scenic coastal ride, the Shining Sea Bikeway on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a perfect choice. This 10.7-mile paved path runs from North Falmouth to the charming village of Woods Hole. It gets its name from a line in the song “America the Beautiful,” written by Falmouth native Katharine Lee Bates.
The trail winds through classic Cape Cod scenery, including salt marshes, cranberry bogs, and beautiful stretches along the Vineyard Sound, with views of Martha’s Vineyard in the distance. It is a perfect, easy ride for a summer afternoon.
11. The Mickelson Trail is a journey through the Black Hills.
This 109-mile rail-trail in South Dakota is a gem of the Midwest. The George S. Mickelson Trail takes riders through the heart of the beautiful Black Hills, passing through rock tunnels and over more than 100 converted railroad bridges. The trail’s gentle grades make it accessible for most intermediate cyclists, and its length makes it perfect for a multi-day tour.
The trail connects several historic gold rush towns, like Deadwood and Lead, and passes near iconic landmarks such as the Crazy Horse Memorial, making it a journey through both stunning natural scenery and rich American history.
12. The San Antonio Mission Reach is a ride through history.
This is a unique urban ride that connects five historic Spanish colonial missions, which are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Mission Reach is an 8-mile stretch of trails that runs along the restored San Antonio River. It’s a flat and easy ride that connects downtown San Antonio and the Alamo with the four missions to the south.
It’s a fantastic way to explore the city’s incredible history while enjoying a beautiful, landscaped riverside park. You can easily spend a full day riding from mission to mission, making it a perfect blend of exercise and cultural exploration.
13. The Flume Trail offers incredible views of Lake Tahoe.
For mountain bikers who are in it for the views, the Flume Trail on the east shore of Lake Tahoe is legendary. The most famous section of the trail is a relatively flat, 4.5-mile stretch that clings to a narrow ledge high above the lake, offering absolutely breathtaking, panoramic views of Tahoe’s brilliant blue water.
While the main section is not technically difficult, the trail has some serious exposure, with a steep drop-off to one side, so it is not for those with a fear of heights. It is a truly unforgettable ride that showcases the stunning beauty of the Sierra Nevada.