Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Belvidere, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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We rode the Fox River Trail over two days in September 2026. We did a short ride from St Charles to South Elgin and back one the first day, followed by a ride to Aurora and then on to part of the Illinois Prairie Path before returning to St Charles. The trail was in excellent shape and, for the most part, was well marked. We thought the scenery was better going south, with lots of water fowl, flowers and points of interest to enjoy. This trail lived up to its expectations.
I started the Jane Addams Trail at the RT 26 Junction and finished at the Wisconsin State border for a total of 32 miles round trip. Most of the trail felt like double track that was in very good condition due to the median of the trail being somewhat high grass, This did not make the ride difficult as both tracks are plenty wide for a gravel or hybrid bike to navigate with no issues.
I found the Orangeville trailhead to offer the most services along the trail. I'm sure the terminus in Freeport offers options as well but I did not explore that part of the trail. I also rode the Sugar River trail in Wisconsin and it is a great plus that one can ride the Jane Addams trail to the Beaver State Trail to the Sugar River Trail and beyond.
I almost forgot to include this in my previous review:
If you do not like hills, DO NOT do either section of this trail.
Both the North and South sections used asphalt and crushed stone surfaces. Care must be taken when riding on the crushed stone. The trail is nearly 12 foot wide and it is neatly groomed, however, the stone is just loose enough to keep bicycle speeds down. The rider who tests their speed traveling downhill and around the blind curves will surely tumble. The age of the asphalt in both sections varies from "newer" to "desperately in need of repair." The southern section actually has a warning sign just south of Fairfield Park.
The last two miles of the northern section in Round Lake Beach is loaded with perpendicular cracks in the asphalt causing a jarring ride even at slow speeds.
One must be cautious at the street crossings although some of the busier roads have traffic lights with designated pedestrian cross walks. The signage was ok, but could have been better.
The trail is almost entirely crushed stone, except for the 1/2 mile of asphalt in New Glarus and the 1 mile of road in Brodhead. In fact, the term "crushed stone" is quite generous, since the trail is mostly two tire tracks with a grass median. Bottom line, the trail surface was solid even after a light rainfall and the grass on both sides of the trail as well as the median were neatly mowed. There was a nice mix of marsh, forest and open prairie. There was a mile marker on the west or south side of the trail every mile. The ride was very peaceful and quiet, except for an auction I heard while taking a break at the Albany trailhead. It was a nice change of pace to the ambient serenity. There were a few road crossings, but the country roads were rarely traveled. Both Broadhead and New Glarus were excellent anchors for this trail. There was lots to explore in both cities!
(08/19/26) - Another beautiful day and a beautiful trail. Rode from Tutty's Crossing (Freeport) to state line (WI). Trail in great shape with no major defects to get in your way for a relaxing ride. The small town and countryside/farmland vibe is just outstanding. Especially if you're a small town kid like me. It's a true getaway from life kind of ride for a couple hours. Very little trail traffic and the scenery is gorgeous. As always, don't forget to treat yourself at Union Dairy after the 34 mile round trip. A great reward for a long ride.
The 8-foot wide asphalt trail is not in bad shape, but it does have manageable grass-filled cracks running perpendicular to the direction of travel in a few areas. Although there is a protective barrier, the entire length of the trail runs alongside a busy highway. There are a few street crossings with minimal traffic at best, but there are also two busy roads to cross. Fortunately, the intersections for these two crossings are controlled by traffic lights with pedestrian crossing signals. This ain't no rail trail, so the route has a few hills to master. On the plus side, the trail connects to the Peace Trail at the west end and the sides of the trail are nicely mowed.
The route has a mix of crushed gravel at both ends and a nice wide asphalt trail in the middle. Be careful going through Saller Woods in the village of Rochester. The trail has been scarred by runoff, the gravel is loose and the hills are steep. Like a child clutching tightly to it's mother, the trail hugs Highway 36 for much of the ride. Although most of the trail is concealed by trees and brush, the sound of cars could still be heard. The trail in Burlington ends at a very nice park that has bathroom facility, water fountain and picnic tables under cover for a nice place to have lunch. The best part of the trail was "The Bunker." This bar & grill has a unique military-theme inside and outside its walls including a Vietnam Guard Tower and other military equipment.
I had high hopes for this trail. I biked from Janesville to the end of the trail in the town of Beloit. The trail has great potential, but the trail maintenance for the first 4 miles out of Janesville has been severely neglected. The ride was unacceptably bumpy due to the several and continuous cracks in the asphalt. The trail south of the water treatment plant had been resurfaced and is in very good condition. The trail leaves the serenity of the shaded canopy of trees to the road in a couple locations. I don't mind the adventure, but one of the roads was busy and at high speeds. The signage could also have been better. The end of the trail in the town of Beloit offers a good cardio workout going up a steep grade. Your efforts are rewarded with modern restrooms and drinking water at the Welty Environmental Center.
Except for a section by one of the drainage tunnels where the asphalt is severely damaged, the trail surface is in good condition. I started my ride in Veterans Park and biked through a canopy of trees overlooking the scenic Rock River. The trail ends in the very cute Janesville Town Square. Although relatively short, this was my favorite trail in and around the city of Janesville.
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