Explore the best rated trails in Sterling, IL. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Badger State Trail and Duck Creek Recreational Trail. With more than 39 trails covering 4232 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.
Enjoyed our ride both east and west from Sheffield from a beauty and historic standpoint but the state of IL does not maintain the trail at all. East of Sheffield there are lots of locks but the trail goes from fair to poor, to decent. Lots of branches and debris on the trail so need a mountain type bike. About 6 miles west of Sheffield the trail turns into a field with overgrown trees and then you are making your own trail. Too bad the state of IL doesn't believe in maintaining its infrastructure that could attract tourism. Didn't see hardly anyone on the trail during a June weekend.
I've contacted the Wisconsin DNR and received this update on the Monroe closure:
"Tracy – Thank you for your interest in the Badger State Trail. The Badger State Trail is fully open from north of Monroe, with only one detour around the tunnel near Belleville.
Last year a bridge was damaged and we were forced to close a section of the Badger State Trail due to this. This bridge has been removed and an at grade crossing installed. This was likely the area they were mentioning in the trail review."
Rose e-bikes from Alta to Wyoming. Ran out of power on way back, but worth the trip and experience.
This summer I'm going to ride my bike from Dixon to polo on the bike paths
I live near this trail and its a great ride! It follows some of the best midwestern countryside you can ask for and runs along side the Winnebago County Forest Preserve Wetlands in Pecatonica.
There is also a local bike shop named The Bicycle Hub in Pecatonica on Main Street just 1 block from the trail. They offer full service bike repair and are also a retail store. You can feel confident that if anything happens on the trail this shop can help support you, even if its simply to share in your excitement of the ride!
Lots to view while riding. One of the best trails in Eastern Iowa. Stopped at the Village for lunch with lots of eating establishments.Ann
You are able to start at the beautiful Eagle Point Park and travel through Clinton and end in Camanche. There is a huge hill at Eagle park that you might need to walk. You ride on the dike of the Mississippi river, then right through downtown Clinton. The path then takes you by Industrial area on hwy 30 but on your own path to Camanche. You travel through the town of Camanche in neighborhoods.
It's been a while since I last rode the PPT so I was curious to see what had changed and if the reviews were accurate. Based on today's conditions (9/28/22), I'm happy to report that the trail has greatly improved since my last time on it. With one caveat - the part from the S. Meridian (Rockford) head to the WInnebago County line 1 mile west of Pecatonica is in great shape and very rideable for most people. West of that, towards Freeport, is a different story. More suited for ATV's than any bike. Not recommended. It's not developed at all and really isn't ready for any civilized biking. But, I got in 26 miles R/T on the part mentioned and on a perfect autumn day like today, it could not have been any better. I highly recommend you get out and enjoy it before winter arrives.
Started out from Utica and rode to trails end in LaSalle. Trail was in fairly good shape, but needed weeds cut down. Went back to Utica and headed towards Ottawa. The trail was like an old maintenance road that had been neglected. Very tall weeds that prevented me in many places from seeing where I could ride. After going about two miles I turned around because I didn't feel safe. It's a shame that there is so little maintenance on what is a beautiful area.
I started near N Bell School Rd and Argus for inline (speed) skating, which really likes smooth asphalt. I headed to Perryville Rd, and then all the way north to Rock Cut State Park, and picked up that path, going all the way to I90.
The path was surprisingly smooth the entire way, except for approximately 1km rough patch near Spring Creek Rd. But still doable on skates
There is a BRAND NEW path extension in the state park that connects Perryville to Rock Cut path. See pictures.
On their site they said had a message from Aug.9 that the trail got beat up from a storm.So today I took a shot and gave it a try.Bad choice.I (silly me) would have thought they would have done some repairs,nope.Hang on to your handlebars.I went home after 7 miles one way,maybe next year after repairs.Other than that flat and straight,nice rural feel and quite.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
