I recently rode the Prairie Trail as part of a ride from Geneva, IL to Lake Geneva, WI. It is a beautiful trail and definitely rideable on a road bike if the path is dry (I had 28mm tires). It’s crushed limestone for ~8 miles from Ringwood, IL to Genoa City, WI — exactly like the Illinois Prairie Path or Great Western Trail. Like the description says- only the northernmost 1/4 mile between the Hebron Trail and Genoa City is chunkier gravel.

Thanks everyone for your previous reviews!

Very rough on the bike. There are more bumps than smooth asphalt. Not a smooth ride. Would be nice if they fixed it. I wouldn't ride this again.

Rode on it this past weekend. There were tire tracks on the trail which caused my entire bike to shake. I would recommend a mountain bike on this trail.

Many busy four lane streets to cross without traffic lights. Sidewalks end without warning. Steep hills you have to walk your bike up. Pretty little picturesque town but not bike friendly.

We started at Freeport, Rode the entire length of Jane Addams trail(stopping at the wildlife santuary right off the trial), continue on to Badger state trail in WI and then hop over to Sugar river trail to New Glarus, WI. We spent a night in New Glarus. Two hotels (and pizza restaurant) in New Glarus are right off the trail and are very bike friendly (Whole town is!) Cycle back the next day. slightly over 40+ miles one way. Jane Addams is definitely the nicest of the 3 trails(and it is FREE, WI charge $5/day to use their trail). Special shout out to the volunteers at Jane Addams(freeport) trailhead that help maintain the trial clean/safe and provide Free ICE COLD Water during HOT summer weekend. will most likely make this trip every year with the family. Bring a spare tire/tube or use gel tube. I hit a walnut seed and had a flat! (28mm wide tires). I would say entire trip is almost 70-80% shaded, we did that on a high 90s day and feel very comfortable.

A very nice trail. Flat with asphalt. Northern half is well shaded. A small section on the southern portion of the tail is on road. At the southern trailhead, there is a family of bald eagles nesting across the river! The northern trailhead is at Riverside Park. Lots of shaded picnic areas, a playground, frisbee golf, shuffleboard and a city golf course. The trail also goes through Janesville’s Town Square which is close to lots of shopping and restaurants. From Kiwanis Trail, there is easy access to Peace Trail and Spring Brook Trial.

We began our adventure, August 31, 2021, at Whispering Oaks Park in McHenry, IL and set off going north. Almost immediately we crossed busy W. Elm St./Rte 120, but quickly left traffic behind as we passed McCullom Lake and East Beach Park and began passing farm fields and then the Glacial Park Conservation Area, full of beautifully blooming late summer prairie plants. Continuing north we passed through the small town of Ringwood and then into Richmond, IL where we negotiated another busy road crossing at Kenosha St/Rte 173 and then on into the North Branch Conservation Area where the Hebron Trail connects to the Prairie Trail, and just shy of the Wisconsin state line. The North Branch Conservation Area is a lovely, restored prairie area with rolling hills and a destination in it's own right. Storm clouds began to gather, and we turned around and headed back south. We stopped for some light refreshment at the Rusty Nail Saloon's outdoor patio, right on the trail, and also noted a good spot for ice cream, milk shakes, etc. just across a large parking lot to the west of the Saloon. This trail has a lovely mix of town and country and this section of the trail was easy riding with good path conditions and minimal road crossings to negotiate. We are hoping to get back again in Summer 2022.

Came from Chicago. The trail head near Harvard was locked up upon arrival had to park on a street in the town over (capron) too get on. Overall pretty cool, nice n flat and nice Midwest middle of nowhere scenery. Trail has some bumps and cracks from time and is partially crushed compacted gravel but very leisurely.

rode from albany to monticello to albany to brodhead. no one else on the trail. saw lots of turtles, snakes and water birds. the old diamond crossing near monticello was great to see. was quite pleased with this trail. would do again.