The Best Bike Trail in Every State

This organized ride covers up to 126 miles, with steep climbs and drastic downhills along the way. So prepare for a thrilling trek—one that’s not necessarily for the inexperienced or those looking for an easy, casual ride. The journey is worth it, though, because according to the Alabama Tourism Board, you get some of the most scenic views in the state—it may be a challenge to keep your eyes on the road as your pedal through Cheaha State Park. New to cycling? Check out the Chief Ladiga Trail, which is a shorter journey within the Cheaha Challenge Route, but still spans 33 miles. The flat rail-trail will have you pedaling under pine and dogwood trees, past deer, fox, and other wildlife, and whizzing by views of mountains and rural lands. Better yet: There are plenty of rest stops along the way to fuel up and kick back for as long as you need.

Ride the paved road that circles the Los Angeles park, Griffith Park Drive, and at the top of a small climb, (what the locals call “Trash Trucks”) you’ll find a bright yellow gate that leads to a paved road that’s closed to cars. Jenn Kriske, founder of Machines for Freedom, a women’s cycling apparel company, says you’ll feel like a VIP as you cruise past crowds on your two-wheeler and make your way to the Griffith Observatory, where you’ll find 360-degree views of Los Angeles. Keep climbing or cruise back down to the bike path—there’s plenty of ways to ride within the park. “When you’re done, be sure to stop by Spoke Bicycle Cafe right off the bike path for their breakfast sandwich and home fries—I’m obsessed,” Kriske says.

Colorado has endless options for places to bike around—and an extra altitude challenge too. This out-and-back gem, located in Littleton, has several options if you want to go far or keep it short. It’s recommended by Deanna McCurdy, triathlete and ambassador for Pearl Izumi and Honey Stinger, who says the lower elevation and low grade make the trail a good option for beginners. (Just keep in mind, it can get crowded!) You’ll cycle along the South Platte River, likely spotting wildlife, like sheep, deer, trout, and even mountain lions, bears, and rattlesnakes. Waterton Canyon Trailhead is also the starting point for the 567-mile Colorado Trail, so if you’re looking for more adventures in the Rocky Mountains, veer off onto that singletrack.

If you’re new to mountain biking, check out the Mosquito Flats trail in this singletrack system, located a short drive from Atlanta. It’s another favorite of McCurdy. When you’re ready to progress, check out Dwelling Loop, stretching 3.8 miles and offering a sweet view of Lake Allatoona.

This gravel pathway reaches from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters to Galena Lodge in Ketchum and covers 18 miles one way. The easy-to-ride route offers beautiful green scenery and has many entry points. Liv Cycling ambassador, Karoline Droege, suggests stopping for lunch at Galena Lodge, but mentions those last six miles to your meal are the toughest, thanks to a decent climb. So get ready to work for it.

The longest bike trail in Indiana, Cardinal Greenway spans 62 miles, passing through the small towns of Marian, Gas City, Jonesboro, Gaston, Muncie, Blountsville, Losantville, Economy, Williamsburg, Webster, and Richmond—all good spots for stopping to explore. Over the course of the miles, you’ll see wildflowers, bridges, tunnels, general stores, and places to grab a bite or a beverage.

Get a 52-mile glimpse of pure Kansas on this path, which also connects to the Flint Hills Nature Trail in the north and the Southwind Rail Trail in the south. With a mix of tree coverings and open spaces ahead, you’ll roll by streams, farms, and towns, too. If you want to stop for lunch or pick a place to explore, there are many communities along the route.

The longest, multi-use paved path in Kentucky, Legacy Trail opened in 2010 and now has lots of top reviews. Easy to access from Lexington, it will soon span 12 miles, with art installations, lessons on local history, and green, park-filled scenery to enjoy as you ride.

You’ll transverse dirt, gravel, and sand on the Eastern Trail (part of the East Coast Greenway) which spans more than 20 miles along Maine’s southern coast from Bug Light to Kennebunk. Complete with lots of New England vibes and even sights of a lighthouse, Steve Lyons, director of the Maine Office of Tourism, says the best views are through the Scarborough Marsh, where you can spot kayakers and shorebirds.

You can actually hit a few states on the GAP trail, if you want to complete the entire thing (that’s 150 miles!). It links Cumberland, Maryland to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While the trail is mostly flat, you can do a quick ride or go for many miles. There are two key spots on the Maryland route: crossing the Mason-Dixon Line, the original boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania, and crossing the Eastern Continental Divide, where the continental plates meet and the Atlantic Seaboard and Gulf of Mexico split—it’s also the highest point on the trail, reaching nearly 2,400 feet above sea level.

Cycle past the Cheshire Reservoir and the Hoosic River as you ride the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, running through the towns of Cheshire, Lanesborough, and Adams in western Massachusetts. You have plenty of space to roam on the 10-foot wide path that spans just under 13 miles—a perfect distance for an out-and-back ride.

The longest path in Nebraska, you could hit almost 200 miles if you spin down the limestone and gravel Cowboy Trail from Norfolk to Valentine. Ride the entire path, from Norfolk to Chadron (that’s 321 miles!) and you’ll conquer the largest rails-to-trails project in the United States. Hop on at one of the 15 communities along the path, many of which offer camping if you want a multi-day trip. You’ll spot several bridges along the route, including the 148-foot tall structure overlooking the Niobrara River and another that spans 595 feet in length and 145 feet in height as it stretches over Long Pine Creek.

While the full Granite State Rail Trail spans 120 miles, the Northern Rail Trail makes up the longest portion running from Boscawen to Lebanon for 58 miles. You can stop to eat at several spots along this path and even pause to power up your e-bike with charging stations along the way. Dave Topham, New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition Director, says some people bike the full 58 miles in one day, but many others opt to make it a two-day trip, staying overnight in Danbury.

Head to the Santa Fe National Forest for this ride, featuring nine miles of moderately difficult mountain biking. Take a shuttle to the top (reaching about 11,000 feet, so be prepared for altitude) and enjoy the ride back down. Expect a creek crossing, beautiful mountain views, and tree-lined trails.

Sure, you could ride around New York City’s Central Park or along the Westside Highway along the Hudson River on the promenade. But about six hours north, in Buffalo, you’ll find a 15-mile route that Liv Cycling ambassador, Jenn Kowalik, strongly recommends. Start in South Park surrounding the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Olmstead Parks Conservancy. Connect via Ridge Road to join Fuhrman Boulevard to ride along the water of Lake Erie. All together it makes for a relaxing, casual ride.

Tackle the badlands of North Dakota on this 144-mile stretch of single track, closed to motorized vehicles. Choose from eight segments to ride, with six points of entry along the trail—and ten campgrounds if you want to make it a multi-day trip. No matter where you spin, you’ll get stunning, unique nature views. Just plan your trip ahead of time, as some parts of the path can make for difficult rides.

Technically, you can hit all three major Ohio cities—Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati—on this trail, but considering it’s 326 miles one way from Cincinnati to Cleveland, you might want to choose a section of it for your weekend ride.

Ride the Red, Blue, Yellow or Pink trail in the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area, each varying in distance and difficulty. You can also test out the 25 miles of unmarked trails throughout the park. Located just ten minutes from downtown Tulsa, you have views of a pond, the Arkansas River, and fun twists and turns to look forward to as you ride.

Bend is an outdoor adventurer’s dream come true and this ride, suggested by Serena Bishop Gordon, a pro mountain biker and cyclocross athlete with Liv, gives you a little taste of why that holds true. Traveling on a 13-mile out-and-back gravel path, you’ll see amazing views of the Cascade Mountains, with little traffic around you. You’ll also spot the Three Sisters volcanic peaks (shown) and the Skyline Forest.

You have 165 miles to explore Pennsylvania, from Wilkes Barre to Philadelphia on the gravel packed D&L Rail Trail. Hop on at any trailhead, each a few miles apart. One suggestion: the charming little town of Jim Thorpe, nestled into the Leigh Gorge, where you can park, eat, and hop on the route. You’ll ride along the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers through most of the path, also passing towns like New Hope and Washington Crossing, where Liv ambassador, Jessica Nankman, says you can watch a re-enactment of George Washington’s Revolutionary War river crossing in December.

Get a bit of history on this route, stretching from Worcester, Massachusettes, to Providence. It extends along the Blackstone River, aka the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and home to some of the first water-powered mills. You’ll ride through the Blackstone River Valley National Park on the 48-mile Blackstone River Bikeway where you pedal through trees and near wildlife like hawks, turtles, frogs, and fish.

Whether you’re a beginner or advanced rider, you’ll love the Prisma Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile path. It flows along the Reedy River and through Greenville, where it passes by Falls on the Reedy, a beautiful green space that’s a great place to step off your saddle and explore.

Weaving through the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mickelson Trail reaches 109 miles. A rail-trail, you’ll spot railroad bridges and rock tunnels throughout the century ride. Cycle north to south and you’ll pedal on a downhill for more of the ride, making it easier on your legs and giving you a little more freedom to enjoy the super green and tree-filled landscape.

In the more than 280,000-acre Big Bend Ranch State Park in West Texas, you have plenty (and we mean plenty) of options for where to bike. Travel Texas suggests a few trails: Dome Loop, the Fresno-Sauceda Loop, Sauceda to Solitario Loop, and the Fresno Divide Loop. River Road, which parallels the Rio Grande River is also popular for bikers. No matter what you choose, you’ll see a beautiful, vast desert landscape with cool rock formations. Try to stay overnight to experience some amazing stargazing.

You can hop on the Park City Town Loop from almost anywhere in town, but a good place to start is Kimball Junction. Take the long way to conquer about 15 miles, or cut it in half by turning right at Old Ranch Road. A favorite of Christian Schauf, founder of gear brand, Uncharted Supply Company, it’s an awesome road ride, with beautiful mountains and rolling hills as the backdrop. Don’t forget to grab yourself a celebratory beer in town afterward.

Liv mountain bike athlete, Riley Miller sets out the perfect route for signature, picturesque views of Vermont: Start at the Village Sport Shop Trailside and travel north on Darling Hill Road. Cross Burke Green Road and turn right on White School Road, which you’ll follow to the end. Turn right on Route 114 and then shortly after, take a left on Pinkham Road. Follow to the end and turn right on Mountain Road. Follow Mountain Road into town, where Miller suggests stopping for ice cream and a river swim. Then, continue on East Darling Hill road out of town, take a left on Darling Hill Road back to the Trailside shop. Finish up with a meal at the Wildflower Inn. Along the way, you’ll spot dairy farms, maple trees, blackberry patches, historical buildings, and views of Burke Mountain—everything you want from a ride in this beautiful state.

A beginner-friendly bike route, the Virginia Creeper Trail (another converted rail-trail) in Damascus, offers shuttle services for those looking to ride one way without having to turn back. According to the tourism board, many people take the shuttle to Whitetop Station, so they can bike mostly downhill on their return trip. As for sights as you spin, you’ll see farms, rolling hills, and Whitetop Laurel Creek.

You get to touch ground in Olympic National Park on this 126-mile trail from Port Townsend to the Pacific Ocean. Most of the trail is paved, but Christina Pivarnik of the Washington Tourism Alliance says parts that aren’t will still be easy to travel on a road bike. You’ll cross through farmlands, lavender fields, and wooded areas, and spy water nearby, too.

Located at Snowshoe Mountain’s Bike Park, Skyline Trail is one of 40 downhill trails to choose from at the mountain. This intermediate option, a top recommendation from the West Virginia Tourism Office, features a route that weaves in and out of trees, and a long, fast section that descends right under the chairlift. You’ll also cross a creek and take some quick turns on your way to the bottom.

Ryan Birkicht, senior communications manager for Mongoose, loves Quarry Ridge so much he rides it two to three times a week. If you’re new to hitting the trails on a two-wheeler, you’ll find the green beginner loop super fun as you pedal over tree roots and rock gardens. If you’ve been riding on dirt for years, you also have options to get more technical and even add jumps to your day.

Nearly 50 percent of this state is public land, so cycling options are nearly endless. One spot for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers is the Johnny Behind the Rocks Trail System, featuring 12 miles of trails. The Wyoming tourism board says Johnny Draw to Red Ridge is a stand-out dirt option, covering four miles through pinion pine and juniper trees. Best of all, it offers beautiful views of the Wyoming Rockies.