Explore the best rated trails in Peru, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail and Grove Road Trail . With more than 26 trails covering 4150 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.
Rode from Colona to Bureau early October. The trail was dry and in good enough condition to average 9-10mph. There was lots of animal and bird life. I was surprised at how few people I saw. It was very peaceful. The only trail hazard of note were walnuts in the path. I did notice that there could be issues if it is wet. Drainage and mud could be a problem. I do ride a Surly Ogre with 29x2.35 tires and 45 lbs of gear on it. Navigation was not a problem.
Rode from Colona to Bureau early October. The trail was dry and in good enough condition to average 9-10mph. There was lots of animal and bird life. I was surprised at how few people I saw. It was very peaceful. The only trail hazard of note were walnuts in the path. I did notice that there could be issues if it is wet. Drainage and mud could be a problem. I do ride a Surly Ogre with 29x2.35 tires and 45 lbs of gear on it. Navigation was not a problem.
My wife & I rode two days from LaSalle toward Ottawa and from Ottawa to Marseilles on our recumbent etrikes. Had to turn around the first day before getting to Ottawa, as the trail became two narrow paths through the grass that were impassable for the trikes. The second day we had to lift our trikes over a fallen tree. There were no trail workers to be seen anywhere. That part of the trail rarely followed the canal, but instead wound through the woods on a cow path like trail. The 20 miles or so between LaSalle and Marseilles are not suitable for road bikes or recumbent trikes, but instead are only desirable for cross bikes or fat tire bikes preferably with electric assist.
Better than battling cars to me. We saw tons of wildlife and the living history of the I and M canal! Won’t lie, very tough ride but super cool. Pair it with a visit to Starved Rock State Park and some hiking!!!
I’d read many negative reviews but wanted to do it anyway. I’m so glad I did. For me it’s a one and done trail. It’s a long trail and most of it over grassy and gravelly areas which makes it seem even longer since you can’t really ride that fast. But the grass had been cut and it was better than battling cars to me.
As a young child I visited Starved Rock State Park which at the time seemed like 1000 miles from home. When the Cal-Sag trail was built and I heard it connected to the Centennial trail which connected to the I and M state trail making it possible to ride from my home all the way to Starved Rock Dtate Park on a bike trail I knew I wanted to do it some day. on e
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
I loved how the trail was varied in scenery. Wooded, town, neighborhoods. We started in North Aurora, Il and went to South Elgin. During first 8 miles and of course the last 8 the asphalt was heaved frequently as much as 3-6 inches and the width of the trail. Riding a recumbent, the bumps are quite pronounced. Shortly after starting you come to a flight of stairs. There is a sign on a post on the left of the trail warning you. Just make a right through the parking lot and go to the street and go left in sidewalk to circumvent them.
Nice trail with cool bridge over Fox River. However, came across two viaducts west of the river with homeless people literally doing drugs as I rode through. I didn’t feel very safe.
Excellent visit for the second time we were able to make this trip from Joliet to Peru, it was wonderful, it is a safe road I think it lacks some maintenance but in general it is a very good, recommendable
We rood from the William G. Stratton State Park to Rockdale which is a 46 mile round trip. We saw deers, water fowl, birds, and a large black snake on the trail. The trail is mostly unpaved crushed limestone that runs along the canal. It does have ample cover from the sun with plenty of trees and water views. Someone else pointed out that they experienced a fallen tree that was covered with poison ivy on their ride. While there was more poison ivy along the trail than I have ever seen in my life, there was a low chance of coming in contact with it unless you go off the trail and into the brush. The trail does need some grooming as there were a few large holes on the trail, an un marked rked flooded under pass and some parts that had signs that they might’ve under repair.
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