Find the top rated walking trails in Dixon, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Like all rails to trails, a good connector for locals but for bike touring, tedious. Boring, straight, only a few peeks of rolling farm land to catch your eye, when it wasn't on the trail - immediately in front of you. Sections of the trail are in jaw-jarring condition. Beware: with leaf litter you can not see the periodic holes, non existent bridge transitions, broken asphalt...you get idea. Sad that some entity can not repair these hazards. We def would not continue west, beyond Poplar Grove. Our bodies can't take it!
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
Rode from Colona to Bureau early October. The trail was dry and in good enough condition to average 9-10mph. There was lots of animal and bird life. I was surprised at how few people I saw. It was very peaceful. The only trail hazard of note were walnuts in the path. I did notice that there could be issues if it is wet. Drainage and mud could be a problem. I do ride a Surly Ogre with 29x2.35 tires and 45 lbs of gear on it. Navigation was not a problem.
My wife & I rode two days from LaSalle toward Ottawa and from Ottawa to Marseilles on our recumbent etrikes. Had to turn around the first day before getting to Ottawa, as the trail became two narrow paths through the grass that were impassable for the trikes. The second day we had to lift our trikes over a fallen tree. There were no trail workers to be seen anywhere. That part of the trail rarely followed the canal, but instead wound through the woods on a cow path like trail. The 20 miles or so between LaSalle and Marseilles are not suitable for road bikes or recumbent trikes, but instead are only desirable for cross bikes or fat tire bikes preferably with electric assist.
Such a beautiful path, partially in shade- partially open. There are multiple restrooms along the way, benches, picnic tables as well as a playground about halfway thru the trail! The paved path was mostly smooth and very easy to navigate. There is a few dips and hills but nothing challenging. Highly recommend!
Trail is really nice and taken care of. There are a a few sand traps along it tho. It’s mostly shaded until you reach the asphalt. Decent parking along it. I very much dislike the detour on this trail..it’s super hilly. Really regret coming to see the tunnel while still open.
The north most section has wonderful river views, picnic tables & benches. Then the trail runs along a heavy industrial area & is pretty ugly. The trail is also appears longer than the map indicates, but we turned back based on the map’s endpoint & poor scenery. TrailLink gives little mention to Eagle Point Park at the north end which is just amazing. If you just load/unload in their parking lot you will have missed the very best of the trail.
Better than battling cars to me. We saw tons of wildlife and the living history of the I and M canal! Won’t lie, very tough ride but super cool. Pair it with a visit to Starved Rock State Park and some hiking!!!
I’d read many negative reviews but wanted to do it anyway. I’m so glad I did. For me it’s a one and done trail. It’s a long trail and most of it over grassy and gravelly areas which makes it seem even longer since you can’t really ride that fast. But the grass had been cut and it was better than battling cars to me.
As a young child I visited Starved Rock State Park which at the time seemed like 1000 miles from home. When the Cal-Sag trail was built and I heard it connected to the Centennial trail which connected to the I and M state trail making it possible to ride from my home all the way to Starved Rock Dtate Park on a bike trail I knew I wanted to do it some day. on e
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
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