The Chubb is the most challenging trail in the St. Louis area. It is a seven-mile dirt and gravel trail between West Tyson County Park and Lone Elk Park (14 miles round-trip). It has very challenging hills and some very fast stretches. Terrain is rocky and usually slippery. There are some truly nasty drop-offs. After those tough climbs you are often rewarded with great views.
The first four miles, starting at the Tyson Trailhead, are primarily steep climbs and descents. The middle three miles are flat, following the river bank (very much like Stinging Nettle Trail at Castlewood). A mile or so of uphill fire roads brings you to Lone Elk Park at the other end.
The eight-mile trail was developed by St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources through the cooperative effort of the Meramec River Recreation Association, which is creating a 108-mile natural corridor along the Meramec by joining together parks and trails.
 | Castlewood Loop trail |  | 3 mi |
 | Flynt Quarry trail |   | 3 mi |
Be ready to get rowdy and climb technical slick rock. This place will wear you out!
| ThankShort but technical loop trail with steep climbs, some tight and steep switchbacks, loose rocks, rock gardens, and a fair amount of roots. Very engaging trail to ride.
| ThankIf doing the entire Chubb trail, all I can say is be in shape. This is a challenging trail in a lot of sections. Technical rock, climbs, and downhill. There are many sections where I have to walk up the hills, because of being in the wrong gear and sliding out on the rocks. Expert riders probably have minimal problems, but if you are less than expert, it might be a little work.
| ThankGreat ride , you will be intimidated on the first time around but will be ready for it when you come back. Lots of technical sections , rocks and root , some long climbs. Even though its only 3 mile loop you will get a good workout and a feeling of accomplishment.
| ThankThe trail was great today. Not dry and dusty, not wet. I even made it up a part of the stairsteps that I've never made it to before.
| ThankI rode the loop part of this trail twice over the weekend. FUN!!! I believe the loop is 3 miles. I parked at the circle and started at the sign. The uphill sections are pretty challenging with all the roots and rocks. It pays off once you get into the downhill sections. Enjoy!
| ThankFun, challenging trail. Many technical rock and rooty areas. This trail will challenge you to become a better rider. Some sections are suffering from heavy use but most of the tread is great.
| ThankGreat fun trail if you are experienced. If you aren't too experienced take your time and watch your line very carefully. Definetely bring water even if you are in shape. A fun trail for beginners and Experts alike.
| ThankThis is one of, if jot the most technical trail in the St. Louis area. With steep rocky climbs, tight switchbacks and 3 foot drops. It is a blast to ride and one heck of a place to go and home some skills required to master mountain biking. Over all I say two thumbs up!
| ThankAwesome tech trail super fun downhills great rocky almost bolder like terrain to play on and improve skills, had a blast Chuch!
| ThankA trail for those for whom "the drive for improvement is is more powerful than the satisfaction of accomplishment" (Lee McCormack). If you're wish is to test yourself and/or practice your technical riding skills this is your run. Water bars, roots, switchbacks, loose-flinty-steep climbs, and many rock gardens provide a challenging ride.
| ThankA pretty challenging course with some great up and downs. Pretty much an loop with an out and back section.
| ThankHas some truly nasty downhill sections full of rocks and roots.
Some less experienced riders will need to take time off the bike and walk down and up again.
Still it is a very pleasant ride worthy of experienced bikers and worth it for those beginning to test their skills
Fun trail and the chubb stairs are not stairs there cliffs lol good trail to ride however hard on your bike
| ThankStarting at the Chubb Shelter (West Tyson), you will have about 3/4 mile decent progress. Then the hills start with loose baby heads and roots. It's tough going, and definitely requires decent conditioning. At about 1-1/2 - 2 miles, you come to the picnic table, which (I think) is the highest point on the trail. Continuing down the hill, you'll come into the fastest technical part, with the locally-famous "steps" offering a 24"-30" drop off as their highlight. Continuing downhill (and reminding yourself that you'll be coming back up), you run into more baby heads and roots, but only for another half mile or so. Then it's out into the field before you get into the woods along the river for the fast, flat section. The last hill at the Lone Elk side is challenging, but not because of the surface which is groomed. Happily, you just have to fight the grade and the length.
One quick note about the trail's Castlewood loop: if it has rained within the previous 60 days, you may want to skip it. The first half mile on the Lone Elk side is deep sand. After you get through that, you hardly have time to enjoy sollid ground before you start running into mud bogs--deep ones with lots of small branches in them. It was not fun.
I highly recommend taking the Flint Quarry section on the return trip, which you pick up at the picnic table. It's a very nice ride with just one or two technical sections and plenty of downhill. When you get to the road, the feeder trail leading back to the Chubb Shelter starts right on the rocks at the creek. Have fun, and see you out there!* Review edited 10/5/2010
| ThankProbably one of the greatest technical trails ever. Start at Lone Elk Park, cross the rail road tracks twice, up the long technical climb, stay to the right at the picnic table, immediate left at chubb shelter on the connector trail, then up the flint quarry and go all the way back to lone elk. Big Fat low pressure tires are a must.* Review edited 8/23/2010
| ThankAwesome trail. Very difficult for the beginning part. The downhill section is rocky, technical and fun...Look out for rattlesnakes....
| ThankI absolutly love this trail i ride it atleast 1 or 2 times a week. It has amazingly fun down hill rides and nice jumps. The trail may be a b**** to get up, but its definatly worth the climp, there are a few switch backs but nothing to bad to worry about. If youve never done this trail and have been thinking about doing it, dont think any more just do it.
| ThankThis is a very fun trail. There are a different ways you can take leading you out of the trail but the full thing is 13 miles long from the beginning to the end and back. The trail is filled with rock climbs, jumps, and fast down hills. Over all this trail is a great trail. If youve never done it before you should definatly go for it you wont be disappointed.
| ThankNot the most flowing trail as the climbs and downhill are relegated to there own mile long sections of the trail in general. This trail is about as technical as it gets in missouri starting out as hardpack from the lone elk side closely resembling the katy trail. A mile in and it's into the flood area of the meramec river with a mixture of rocky bottom and hardpack very similar to castewood. Once you cross over into the West Tyson end be ready for a punishing mile long climb with about a 20 degree grade studded with stone steps. Once on top of this bluff it is downhill all the way to the parking lot with a choice between the old quarry trail which alternates between shale and hardpack and the chubb side which is more technical rocky outcrops winding through the forest. Out and backs are quite popular on this trail and can be easily done in under 2 hours for a conditioned rider.
*interesting note: the entire trail system was in use by indians long before missouri was settled by europeans * Review edited 9/29/2008* Review edited 9/29/2008
| ThankFor a local trail it is a decent ride. The first few miles are a bit technical and can throw a few surprises at you if you aren't paying attention. Overall though, it isn't too challenging if you've got some experience in the saddle.
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