Lost Bridge Trail:
Illinois
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Description:
The Lost Bridge Trail, jointly managed by the Springfield Park District and the village of Rochester, is one of the area's earliest and most popular multiuse trails-even for locals taking a weekday break on their lunch hour.
Well-maintained, the trail's starting point is located behind the Illinois Department of Transportation building in Springfield. This portion of the trail is not actually on a former rail corridor, but wraps partway around a beautifully landscaped and tree-lined lake near the complex.
At the lake's southwest end, the trail joins the former railroad corridor-an obvious change, as the trail becomes straight and flat as it travels through a dense tree canopy. Almost immediately, you reach a clearing and pass under Interstate 55, then plunge back into the forest. The heavy vegetation along the route makes it easy to forget how closely the trail parallels busy Route 29.
Just beyond a mile from the start, the trail crosses charming Sugar Creek Bridge, which offers great views of Sugar Creek and the lush vegetation hugging its banks.
At mile 2, the trail passes beneath Hilltop Road, and at mile 3 it reaches the South Fork Bridge over the South Fork of the Sangamon River. This old trestle-style span is another important remnant of the trail's railroading history; its excellent condition today is evidence of the remarkable engineering and artistry it took to build the structure. After the bridge, look closely for a paved trail connector on the south side that give you the option of making a quick loop through Rochester Community Park.
For the final 2 miles after South Fork Bridge to the trail's end in Rochester, you will pass through a short stand of trees before the landscape opens into some beautifully manicured grass fields behind one of Rochester's school facilities.
The trail may one day extend southeast from its terminus at Walnut Road to the towns of Taylorville and Pana. Until then, you must be content to walk, ride, roll, run, skate, or ski back to Springfield on this suburban rail-trail gem.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the Springfield trailhead on Rielly Drive, take Interstate 55 to Route 29 (S. Grand Ave. east) and head west for a half mile. Turn left on S. 31st Street (Dirksen Parkway) and go about 1 mile. Turn left on Rielly Drive and look for the trailhead at the far end of the parking lot.
To reach the Rochester trailhead, take Interstate 55 to Route 29 (S. Grand Avenue east) and head east for 4 miles. Turn right on Walnut Street and look for the trailhead directly on the right.

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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Great Walking Venue
By burton48 in December, 2010
Lost Bridge Trail is a great place to go walking for a couple of hours. The canopy of trees and flora along most of the trail provides good shade on warm, suuny days at any hour. Ample parking is available on the IDOT building grounds for access to the westerly end of the trail. Easy access is also available just off Ill. SR 29 at Hilltop Road, and in the town of Rochester. The vacated raillroad right of way which is the pathway of most of this trail continues southeasterly from Rochester on to Taylorville and Pana. A trail similar to Lost Bridge Trail exists between Pana and Taylorville. Hopefully, Lost Bridge Trail can be extended on from Rochester to Taylorville. Kudos to those responsible for Lost Bridge Trail and its ongoing maintenance.
Nice local trail
By asinca in May, 2010
A real nice short trail. Only one patch on the asphalt the entire 5 miles. Runs close to the road at spots but you would never know it. Not a travel destination for biking but if you are there for all the Lincoln stuff it is well worth it. Many franchise hotels and restaurants about 1.5 miles away.
Awesome
By bosaikanu in February, 2009
I really like running this trail. Great scenery, well maintained. Thanks.
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The trail wraps around the lake between the Illinois DOT headquarters and I-55 creating an impressive destination trailhead.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Springfield (off South 31st St. & South Dirksen Parkway) to Rochester (Walnut St.)
Counties: Sangamon
Trail Length: 5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6015770

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