This 85‑mile Ironton-Ellington loop ride circles Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri, and delivers a ride that feels both rugged and scenic in that unmistakable St. Francois Mountains way. The route wraps around the mountain on a mix of winding highways and quiet backroads, giving you long views, shaded stretches, and plenty of elevation changes as you work your way through some of the oldest terrain in the Ozarks.

A short detour down County Road CC lets you ride up to the Taum Sauk summit itself. Reaching the peak requires a brief run on a well‑maintained dirt road, but it’s worth every yard — the air cools, the forest thickens, and you get that rare sense of being on top of Missouri. It’s a ride that blends curves, history, and high‑country scenery into one memorable loop.