Explore the best rated trails in Winnebago, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Peace Trail and Lake Geneva Bike Path (Route of the Badger) . With more than 67 trails covering 671 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.
We e-biked a Brodhead to New Glarus round trip with a short jaunt from Crazy Horse Campground (Great Place near the trail in Brodhead). Perfect day: 80 degrees, sunny, low humidity, a few mosquitos when we stopped. We have done this route two other times and this time was still a great experience even after recent weather events. Wisconsin DNR teams were clearing, mowing and as always extremely kind. There was one tricky, soft and slightly washed area just north of Monticello.
An incredible lesson learned while on the trail today. If you ever come across something of value to someone else....like a government ID or a wallet...pick it up and turn it in to the local police/sheriff. The owner of such item will be forever grateful to your kindness.
As of July 23, 2024 there are no signs of tunnel revival. The first six miles from the northern end are paved and well maintained. After that it turns to gravel and dirt. With a lot of grass. It appears neglected.
As of 7/7/24 no work done on tunnel. There isnt even a trail left, leading up to the tunnel. The tunnel project is a complete sham. Where is the 6 million dollars? Where did the insurance money go, for the bridge, north of Monroe? Time for someone to be held accountable.
Replace a bridge, with breaker rock up a 20 foot embankment. Where did the insurance money go? Close the tunnel, let land owners destroy the trail south of Monroe (driveways and drainage tubes). Please, who ever is in charge, QUIT.
Did this ride starting at the East end. Loved the views and the trail was well maintained. I do wish the connection through Burlington as more direct or better signed.
I live in Darlington and this trail is near my house so it’s nice for me to go during week and just bike to path. I rarely see any ATVs ironically, but I try to go on days/hours they may not be there. ATV riders though are respectful and I slow down or stop if big group goes by. This trail is doable with a mountain bike. I gave it 4 stars since the trail is getting pretty rutty probably due to all the rain we are having, mixed with the motorized vehicles on it.
We’ve ridden from Sumner Park in Pecatonica east to Meridian Rd. several times. It’s crushed gravel most of the way. Between Lundgren Rd and Hoisington Rd it’s grass and gravel and kinda bumpy. The rest is in pretty good shape. West of Pecatonica to Farwell Bridge Rd is fairly bumpy. It’s mostly flat. It runs along the power lines so it’s not shady. Great bike shop in Pecatonica though, Bicycle Hub. Open Tuesday-Saturdays. Right on the main street.
June 19, 2024 (11:30AM)
Rode the Great River Trail as day two of our Mississippi trip. I was not happy with the trip at all. Let me tell you why. The trail is 60+ miles long and stretches from Savanna, IL to the Rock Island, IL area. Having read the reviews we drove up Hwy 84 to just south of Savanna. We could see the trail along the way, asphalt but a lot of cracks/bumps, dips and yikes areas. We saw maybe 2 bikers. Our starting point ended up at Spring Lake, just south of Savanna. It was a good spot and there is a 4 mile trail around this lake, which we did not do, but wished we had. Going south, our plan was to get to Thomson and grab a lunch. The weather was hot with just enough wind, out of the south, to be annoying. At first the trail was a perfect rails to trails; asphalt path, a little cluttered but ok. We rounded a turn at a nice visitors center and then the niceness ended; as did the trail. We ended up on a country road; Riverview Road; which is a road but there were limited glimpses of the river. Traffic was light therefore we had no trouble with cars/trucks. We kept waiting for the trail to pick back up but it never did. This was our main disappointment. The saving grace was Dusty's, in Thomson, IL. The friendly staff took good care of us, cooling us down and getting us some lunch. We flipped back north, past the federal penitentiary, on the country road, this time with the wind at our backs. All in all we did 16 miles with 157 feet of elevation. This was a one time trail for us. I look back at the trail map and it does show Riverview Road, however I wanted to make sure, with this review, that other riders understood that they would be on a country road.
Kevin
Biking between Sycamore and Lily Lake the trail is long, straight and flat - if that’s your kind of thing. Just lock your wheel straight and go. Trees offer protection from the sun and a nice farmland setting to view along the way, but could be monotonous for some. Trail parallels Route 64 on this section so there is some road noise, but no busy streets to cross. The crushed limestone is in great condition making for a nice relaxing ride. We much preferred the eastern end from Lily Lake to St Charles, but we started to encounter more trail traffic. A foray into Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve is worthwhile.
We loved this path, paved nicely with a lot to look at!
This is a fine trail, but no longer gives you distances like it used to. I had to guess how far I went based on a silly 200 ft. bar at bottom of map. Seriously with all the walking/biking competitions for good health going on, how hard is it to give the mileage of the path?
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