Explore the best rated trails in Sparta, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Meramec Greenway Trail and Centennial Greenway . With more than 36 trails covering 297 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.
First trail for a family with 2 large e-bikes with small children. We just tried it at 1m from the top near Crestwood/kirkwood. Parking is clean and nice. A bathroom with compose toilet is different but interesting change. A couple of stops for cars. The splits (2 metal bars) that I guess help slow people feel a little tight for comfort but you get use to it. Just ride slow. 5min in and you get to a restaurant. It was closed when we tried but hoping to give it a shot. Oh less than 2min and 2 street crossings is a small park for kids. So more plus. Will update when we do the entire thing.
This trail is the best maintained, marked and clean trails I have ever ridden. The trail surface is paved and in better condition than most of the areas highways! The prettiest portion is from the memorial hospital station to the Highway 161 station. Rode from Scott AFB to hwy 161 and back. Ride it soon! Get out there!
Just be aware that the portion of the trail at Jefferson Barracks is only a mile long. It is beautiful and well taken care of though, and there are other suitable trails in the park.
Have to say I didn’t really enjoy this trail ride. Very little shade. Prefer the MCT trails in IL over by Edwardsville. Trail was nicely paved. Several roads to cross. Some quick side trails you can do. Urban most of the time. Did like seeing the horses by Grants farm.
I would have given this 4 stars if the trail was resurfaced and smooth.
We started at whispering pine loop and turned around at north Sandusky campground, this trail ended here. Such a great trail a few crazy spots behind the lake, but a fun trail to ride all concrete trail. We got rained but that even made it a lot more fun. We laughed so much.
We visited the Gateway Arch and brought out our bikes hoping to ride this trail, especially after reading the reviews. We came down to the water’s edge from the Arch’s park area and first tried to ride north. We were having a great time seeing the historic Mississippi River and nearby bridges. But then suddenly it all just stopped as there is a construction wall that can’t be bypassed after about a mile or so. Okay, we head back past the Arch park heading south. Well, that ends heading into unknown streets in St. Louis. Total open trail near the Arch is less than 3 miles. Should have and highly recommend to check the trail open sections before riding. Otherwise it’s a beautiful trail. We just wish we could have ridden more of it.
Tomorrow will be May 1st ride through Arnold Park for a bike ride. I was disappointed that the reviews are so old. Hopefully we can get these updated. I will definitely give my review afterwards for this year of 2024. I’m excited to check it out. ( I only rated the ride so I could post my review) hopefully my next review will be a 5 star.
This is a very nice, scenic - absolutely beautiful trail and you can either start out or end up at Eckerts!
Reading past reviews, I was apprehensive about this trail, but it seems to have been cleaned up nicely. I rode about 8 miles south from the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and back in the evening. There’s a climb in the woods near the north end, the rest is level. No trash, no glass, no people at all except at the parks.
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