Green Bay Trail:
Illinois
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Description:
The 9-mile Green Bay Trail runs parallel to Chicago's Metra commuter rail line north of the Chicago city limits. Stretching through North Shore towns such as Kenilworth, Winnetka, Highland Park and Lake Bluff, the corridor is flanked by restaurants, shops, community parks and beautiful homes. Because the trail stays generally within a mile of Lake Michigan, you can take any number of on-road side trips for beachfront views of the lake.

The Green Bay Trail runs along the east side of Chicago's Metra Union Pacific North line (UP-N commuter rail) almost entirely along the route of the former Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee (CNS&M) interurban electric railroad, from Greenleaf Avenue in downtown Wilmette to the junction of Saint Johns Avenue & Sheridan Road at the southern edge of downtown Highland Park. Here it turns into the Robert McClory Bike Path.

The trail is suitable for even the youngest of riders, although the route does use some sidewalks and even a very small portion of residential road in Kenilworth. In addition, the surface alternates between asphalt and crushed limestone. Inexperienced cyclists and those with young children should use particular caution at road crossings and with any road riding.

This is a true multi-purpose trail. Commuters take the trail to train stations along the way, bikes are allowed on the Metra in limited numbers; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult when bringing a bicycle, and residents and tourists alike use the trail for exercise and car-free travel between communities.

From the southern trailhead in Wilmette you will immediately experience the fresh air and beach-front atmosphere that is comfortably juxtaposed with the business and commuter traffic. The trail itself it paved and well maintained accentuating the upscale neighborhoods through which it travels.

Nearing Highland Park you may find people flocking to Ravinia, one of Chicagoland's best music venues. An open-air, covered pavilion is used for symphony concerts, dance and pop concerts, while smaller indoor theaters showcase chamber music performances and dance recitals.

By the time you reach the St. John's Avenue trailhead, and northern end of the trail, you will appreciate the many restrooms, public telephones, playgrounds and parks afforded by the proximity of the commuter line. Another bonus of the adjacent rail line: if you are tired after your one-way trip, just hop a Metra train for the return trip.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To get to the Wilmette trailhead, take Interstate 94 to exit 34 (Lake Avenue) and head east for just over 2 miles to Green Bay Road. Head north on Green Bay and make an immediate right on Forest Avenue. You will see the trail crossing Forest Ave., where there is limited parking. Additional parking can be found in any one of the many Metra parking lots that run parallel to the trail. These stations also offer restrooms, water fountains, and telephones.
To access the Highland Park trailhead, take US Route 41 to Highland Park and head east on Deerfield Road. After about a half mile, turn left on Central Avenue and follow it for just over a half mile. Turn south on St. John's Ave. and continue for a quarter mile to the Metra parking lot on the right, which doubles as trail parking.

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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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An excellent trail, but take care after a rain.
By johnvkaravitis in July, 2011
This is a great trail, you can actually start by going north along McCormick Blvd (from Devon Avenue and McCormick Blvd in Chicago, IL), and go north through Lincolnwood, through Skokie, all the way to Green Bay Road in Wilmette. You then hang a left and go to the first intersection, hang an immediate right, and then an immediate left. You go for about a mile or so, through the Wilmette Police Station parking lot and more of Wilmette. Eventually, you do get to the Green Bay Road trail, and yes, you can take it all the way up to Highland Park. From there, if you map out your bike ride, you can go north on the McClory Trail, and, at Lake Cook Road, go west to hit the Skokie Trail. A word of caution, however. Parts of the trail in Wilmette and alongside the Metra are crushed limestone, it's not all asphalt. When crushed limestone gets wet, if you don't have a rear fender on your bike, crushed limestome can get thrown back onto your T-shirt, and cover most of your gears. So, yes, a beautiful trail, and well-used, but be careful of crushed limestone after it's rained. Good biking! John V. Karavitis
All but this one thing:
By achesman in May, 2011
This is a beautiful trail on all accounts. The scenery ranges from beautiful backyards, track-side gardens, mom-and-pop shops, etc... It is wide enough to accommodate all types of uses, simultaneously. The only thing this trail is missing are mile markers and clear signs of direction. Especially near the Ravinia Park section. It would be nice to know the distance without carrying a ruler, while running, to use on the sparse trail maps. It would also be helpful if the trail was clearly marked when there are obviously different directions to choose from. I ended up adding an extra 1.5 miles to my run without even realizing I went off trail, until I met back up with an end-marker.
But if those things don't concern you, your experience will be that much more enjoyable!
Green Bay Trail
By Jack S. in December, 2000
"Great place for a bike ride; one of the oldest rail-trails in the country. Asphalt trail parallels right alongside the Union Pacific tracks from Forest Avenue in northern Wilmette to South Avenue in southern Glencoe with very little interruption for on-street riding. From there, you will have to navigate northward about a mile on-street to Maple Hill Road in northern Glencoe, where the continuous trail next to the railroad tracks (now crushed stone) extends to downtown Highland Park. The beginning of the Robert McClory bike path to Wisconsin (also on traillink) is two or three blocks north of downtown at Vine Avenue. Most of the trail is tree-shaded and pretty."
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