Motorcycle Route Author
By Guest (0 McR Points)
on Sep 30, 2002
Rider Reviews
Written Directions
Directions for this route are very simple. Take state route 94 west from St. Charles Missouri all the way to McKittrick, MO. To visit Hermann, one you get to McKittrick, head south on route 19 over the river and you'll be in Herman. After Herman you can go back to 94 and return to St. Charles or continue west on 94 to do some more great driving. You might want to take that road all the way to Jefferson City.Scenery
This route starts right outside of West St. Louis and takes you through the beautiful Missouri River Valley and into the best wine-country in the Midwest. After the wineries stop near the town of Herman, you can continue on for another 50 or so miles if you like the route's twisty turns and hills (full trip).MotorcycleRoads has designated this route as a "Buried Treasure Route" because of its outstanding balance of scenery, motorcycle-road quality and amenities.Along this route you will see some of the best scenery that Missouri has to offer. The route hugs the Missouri River and you will view the river at different points along the route. Because of the fertile river valley land, the area is filled with picture perfect farms and wineries. There are also large limestone bluffs that the river runs next to at points giving you some great photo opportunities. These bluffs rise as much as 400 feet above the Missouri River.
Drive Enjoyment
This route hugs the Missouri River and has plenty of twists and turns and hills to keep all of us on motorcycles very happy. Keep in mind though, in the spring, occasional river flooding can cause problems on some of the stretches of 94. Try going on a Sunday instead of on a Saturday (very very crowded during the wine season at least). Many biker sightings on the way. The only con is that until you actually get out of the suburbs there are a gazillion stop lights that you might have to encounter...but after that its pure motorcycling bliss. The towns are spread out nicely along the route, which gives you a chance to get some uninterrupted riding in between stops. Overall, this route is among the best Missouri has to offer and anybody who owns a motorcycle in the area would be making a big mistake not to drive it at least once or twice in a season.Tourism Opportunities
This route takes you on a tour of the Missouri Rhineland or wine-country. If you enjoy wine tasting and aren't stupid enough to drive when you've had too much too drink, then this will be one of the top routes in all of Missouri for you.The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area can be found by taking a detour at Rte. D west for about 2 miles. It offers thousands of acres for hiking, picnicking, hunting and fishing.
If you take another detour off of Rte. 94 west on Rte. F for about 5 miles you will see the Daniel Boon House. Daily tours are offered March-November. The house is a four story, plantation style house that Daniel Boone built with the help of his son. It is here where Daniel Boone retired and lived his last years of life back in the early 1800s.
The Katy trail is a biking and hiking trail that covers 200 miles of abandoned railroad paths. From this route you can access the trails of this route.
Augusta Missouri is home of many of the area's best wineries. For an incredible view of the Missouri River valley and the area's farms, visit the Montelle Winery. It sits atop a 400 ft bluff that overlooks the river valley below.
Detour off of 94 heading south on Rte. 47 for about 4 miles. There you will find the town of Washington, which sits next to the Missouri River and offers visitors a number of restaurants, Bed and Breakfasts and various arts and craft shops. This town of 11,000 is relatively large by rural measurements and has a large number of attractive homes built in a 'Missouri-German' style that visitors love to see. It is also home of the world's only existing corn-cob pipe factory that have been used by famous people such as Mark Twain and General Douglas MacArthur.
Back on 94 a couple of miles west of the town of Dutzow look for a sign leading to the grave and monument of Daniel Boone. Apparently Daniel Boone was originally buried here back in 1820 and his body lay next to his wife's for 25 years until the State of Kentucky won a fight to have his body brought back to the state he helped found. Rumor has it that the state of Missouri actually sent the bones of a young slave instead.
The highlight of the trip may be its final stop in Herman. This town was established by German immigrants who wanted to preserve their customs and architecture. Today this hilly little German town is a popular tourist town because of the many bed and breakfasts, museums, and wineries. Like any good German town, this place really comes alive during its many October Fests put together each year. The town is neatly kept and offers blocks of shops and restaurants. Go to the Stone Hill Winery if you want a great view overlooking the town. Make sure you take the tour they offer to see its impressive wine cellars. The Historic Herman Museum will tell you about the history of the area and its German-Americans that proudly built this beautiful town.
The wineries stop at Herman but if you continue on you will still see some pretty farms, pass through nice small towns and ride some great twisty stretches of 94 about another 50 miles all the way to capital city of Missouri - Jefferson City.
