Explore the best rated trails in Chicago, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail and Tall Grass Greenway Trail . With more than 120 trails covering 4828 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Started in McHenry and went south. Did 33 miles round trip. McHenry to Crystal Lake lots of ruts and bumpy. Just north of Crystal Lake becomes a new, very smooth trail, but is extremely hilly with lots of turns. After going through a small section of downtown Crystal Lake becomes not as hilly to Algonquin.
Late April Sunday in clear weather. Started at southern end as marked on Traillink map. There is no dedicated parking but on-street parking in surrounding residential neighborhood was without issues. Rode north to McHenry, 16 miles. Surface is newly or recently repaved and excellent, until you reach Pleasant Hill Road, then only fair, with expansion cracks every 50 60 feet, bumpy ride into McHenry but very doable. Generally pleasant, only partially shaded ride, but not the most picturesque.
2 issues around Crystal Lake, first, signage for on-road traverse of the town is inadequate in both directions. Going north, 2 blocks after crossing the railroad tracks, you have to jog East from Main Street 3 blocks to Glen Ave., then cross IL 176 onto Lorraine Dr. to reach the continuation of the trail into Sterne's Woods. Visa versa coming south. Second, be aware there are several short but steep climbs and descents going through Sterne's Woods. Seamless continuation onto Fox River trail at southern end.
They started paving last fall. From County line rd heading West there is about 2-3 miles paved to Lake Shore County rd.
Straight flat the mile markers are off by 1.5 miles. The pavement is not smooth enough to skate on with ease. But for biking its fine. 80% friendly people to people of color.
The 10-mile stretch of the trail from st. charles to elgin is mostly asphalt with a few short lengths that are crushed stone. The trail is in good shape generally with hardly any heavings in the pavement. The scenery is mostly natural woods and very scenic. Between st. charles and the town of south elgin the river takes a big bend around a high bluff and the trail goes down a long hill as you travel north and over 2 bridges. Near the town of south elgin there is a trolley museum with tracks alongside the trail that working trolleys use on the weekends. Between south elgin and elgin there are many hilly sections. It can be a challenging but worthwhile ride.
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
Please note that the public is not allowed to pass through Fermilab. Rather, you must exit Fermilab through the same entrance that you arrived at Fermilab. Here is a formal quote from the Fermilab web site.
https://www.fnal.gov/pub/community/
“The public must not pass through Fermilab, but rather leave by the same entrance through which they arrived.”
trail is in great shape. from villa park westward it goes through residential areas with many road crossings with a bridge over the railroad/highway in lombard. but after that there are few crossings and a natural landscape.
although not shown on the trail map, there is now a trail connection just east of prince crossing road that goes north along the west branch of dupage river and fair oaks road which leads to the north central dupage regional trail at schick road.
rode the trail on 11/2/2024 roundtrip from manhattan road (mile 7) to the kankakee river (mile 22) . it was in good shape almost the whole length and without loose gravel anywhere.
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
Short trail especially for cyclists, more so a commuter trail. Expect a slow and someone densely populated ride, but excellent views of the neighborhoods.
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