Find the top rated hiking trails in Elgin, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Trail Image | Trail Name | States | Length | Surface | Rating |
![]() |
The 312 RiverRun is a 1.1-mile biking and walking trail located on Chicago's northside along the North Branch of the Chicago River, nestled between Gordon Tech High School and Lane Tech High School....
|
IL | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
This bike path sits on the east side of Almond Road between Washington Street and Fairfield Lane in Gurnee. The 8-foot wide asphalt path is used by residents as a spot for exercise and recreation, but...
|
IL | 1.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Bartlett Trail is a recreational trail in the Village of Bartlett, Du Page county. Though short, the trail is conveniently located as a space for exercise, while providing a safe route to school...
|
IL | 1.23 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Baumann Park is adjacent to the Kishwaukee River in Cherry Valley, a community on the outskirts of Rockford in northern Illinois. A paved pathway runs through the park and loops around Baumann Park...
|
IL | 1.25 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Bloomingdale Trail, part of “The 606” park system, is a 3-mile, elevated rail-trail on Chicago’s northwest side. Built on a former rail line, the trail sits 17 feet above four of the city’s...
|
IL | 2.7 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Busse Woods Trail spans the Ned Brown Forest Preserve, a 3,700-acre natural space in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago. The preserve—popularly just called Busse Woods—has a large...
|
IL | 11.6 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
Closure Notice: The trail is closed at the 127th Street bridge until the end of 2024.
Overview
The Cal-Sag Trail (also known as the Calumet-Sag Trail) runs for 13.7 miles and connects several...
|
IL | 13.7 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Overview
Illinois’ Centennial Trail runs 13-miles through parts of three suburban counties from Willow Springs Road to Romeo Road/135th Street southwest of Chicago.
About the Route
The trail...
|
IL | 13 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Chicago Lakefront Trail is aptly named; it spans 19 miles along the shore of Lake Michigan, going right through downtown Chicago to pass many cultural and tourist attractions...
|
IL | 19 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
The ComEd Greenway is an asphalt multiuse pathway running north-south through the village of Bollingbrook. The trail's name is an abbreviation of Commonwealth Edison, the name of the electric utility...
|
IL | 2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
This regional trail connects two of DuPage County's forest preserves—Herrick Lake and Danada—on a crushed stone pathway nearly 6 miles long. Together, the preserves cover more than 1,600 acres of...
|
IL | 5.8 mi | Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The DeKalb-Sycamore Trail—also known as the Peace Road Trail—parallels the eastern side of Peace Road from DeKalb to Sycamore in northern Illinois. Along the way, you'll pass a mixture of residential...
|
IL | 6.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Deer Grove Trail is one of several great Chicagoland trails located in properties of the Forest Preserve of Cook County. Deer Grove is the oldest of all the Cook County preserves. It's comprised...
|
IL | 3.9 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Closure notice: Between 02/01/2024 and 06/30/2024, between W Higgins Rd and W Bryn Mawr Ave will have periodic closures and/or full closure restrictions due to construction activities. Check the...
|
IL | 56.1 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The DuPage River Trail spans over 30 miles across two counties: DuPage and Will. It's currently open in several disconnected segments mainly in parks and forest preserves beginning in Warrenville and...
|
IL | 33.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Duck Lake Nature Area Trail follows the southern side of Lake Como between Lake Geneva and Como, Wisconsin, not far from the Illinois state line. The trail is more rustic than most rail-trails and...
|
WI | 2 mi | Dirt |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Erie Lackawanna Trail runs for 17.6 miles and connects Crown Point and Hammond, two former rail junctions whose early fortunes were tied to the tracks carrying people and goods to and...
|
IN | 17.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Fox River Trail (FRT) was built on stretches of three former railroads: Chicago, Aurora & Elgin; Aurora, Elgin, & Fox River Electric; and Chicago & North Western. Today, it hosts a...
|
IL | 45.7 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
About an hour northwest of Chicago, the beautiful Grant Woods Forest Preserve spans more than 1,000 acres, offering an outdoor respite of prairie, woodlands and marshes. The crushed limestone pathway...
|
IL | 5.9 mi | Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
|
DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY | 3743.9 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Overview
The western segment of the Great Western Trail in Illinois follows 18 miles of a former railway corridor through DeKalb and Kane counties, between Sycamore Forest Preserve in the City of...
|
IL | 18 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Overview
The eastern segment of the Great Western Trail in Illinois follows almost 13 miles of an abandoned railway corridor through DuPage County, between Villa Park and West Chicago.
About the...
|
IL | 12.7 mi | Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The H.U.M. Trail (a.k.a. the Huntley-Union-Marengo Trail) was planned to link all three of its namesake northern Illinois towns, but so far only connects Marengo and Union.
Interestingly, the...
|
IL | 3.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Hebron Trail rolls across the northern Illinois prairie through the former corridor of the Kenosha and Rockford Railroad, known as the Kenosha Division Line at the time of its demise in 1939....
|
IL | 6.7 mi | Crushed Stone, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The Hickory Creek Bikeway offers nearly 4 miles of paved pathway through a wooded preserve. On its western end, the trail begins at Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve and Lincolnway Road; on the...
|
IL | 3.7 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Illinois Prairie Path (IPP) was one of the nation’s first rail-trail conversions. The 58-mile trail consists of five connected trail segments with three main branches that converge...
|
IL | 58.52 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The John Husar I&M Canal Trail is the northernmost trail developed on the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. The Illinois & Michigan Canal provided the final link in the water route...
|
IL | 8.9 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The KR Trail is a new addition to Kenosha County’s growing bike-ped network. The trail picks up where the Kenosha Pike Bike Trail leaves off, in Petrifying Springs Park. From the northwest corner of...
|
WI | 1.5 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Kenosha County Bike Trail runs for nearly 8 miles in two sections separated by couple miles with the city of Kenosha.
About the Route
The northern segment runs between 1st St....
|
WI | 7.9 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Helping to forge a connection between the northern and southern segments of the Kenosha County Bike Trail, the Kenosha Pike Bike Trail also has plenty to offer in its own right, giving trail users a...
|
WI | 6.95 mi | Concrete |
|
![]() |
The Kishwaukee River Recreation Path runs for 2.5 miles in Cherry Valley on the outskirts of Rockford in northern Illinois. The well-maintained, asphalt trail connects the Kishwaukee River Forest...
|
IL | 2.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Kishwaukee Riverfront Path winds nearly 7 miles through downtown Belvidere, east of Rockford in northern Illinois. As its name implies, the paved scenic trail follows the waterway for most of its...
|
IL | 6.9 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Kuhn Road Trail starts on Lies Road, at Glenbard North High School and continues south along Kuhn Road, past single-family homes and Friendship Park. The trail officially ends at Barbara O'Rahilly...
|
IL | 1.4 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The 2.3-mile multiuse trail wraps around Lake Andrea in Pleasant Springs Park. The trail is an easy walk, run or ride around the lake, and is accessible for a wide range of users. It also helps users...
|
WI | 2.3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Lake Arlington is an artificial lake and popular recreation area in Arlington Heights in Cook County. The park features amenities to interest visitors of all ages and it is a local favorite for family...
|
IL | 2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
As the name suggests, the Lake George trail travels along the north shore of Lake George, turning north at Calumet Ave/US 41 to skirt the east shore of Wolf Lake. From Lake George the trail also heads...
|
IN | 3.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Lincolnwood Valley Line Trail connects the existing Valley Line Trail (Sauganash Trail) to the Skokie Valley Trail in Cook County. Like the previous segments, this trail occupies a former Union...
|
IL | 1.3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Major Taylor Trail is named after legendary African American cyclist Marshall “Major” Taylor, who was one of the most celebrated bicycle racers of the late nineteenth century, setting several...
|
IL | 7.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Mel Anderson Memorial Path, named for a long-serving alderman of the Seventh Ward, stretches nearly 3 miles, connecting Lockwood Park, Searls Park, Bressler Park and Talcott-Page Park. Mid-way,...
|
IL | 2.7 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve is a natural gem hidden in an high-income neighborhood of Lake Forest, Illinois. Those 600 acres are home to perhaps the best-preserved example of the rare...
|
IL | 4.3 mi | Crushed Stone, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The Millennium Trail currently spans just over 30 miles in two disconnected segments, but there are plans to extend it to 35 miles and connect it to the Des Plaines River Trail. The trail goes through...
|
IL | 30.7 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Moraine Hills State Park Trail offers a wonderful experience for any geology or nature aficionado. A moraine is an accumulation of earth and stones carried and finally deposited by a glacier....
|
IL | 11.4 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Overview
The North Branch Trail follows the North Branch of the Chicago River over 20 miles through Cook County. The trail was originally a dirt path often used for horseback riding; though it’s...
|
IL | 21.3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The North Central DuPage Regional Trail stretches 11.6 miles in four segments between the communities of Wayne in the west and Roselle in the east. This paved, multiuse trail provides residents and...
|
IL | 11.6 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The North Shore Channel Trail extends from the junction of Green Bay Road and McCormick Boulevard in northern Evanston to the junction of Lawrence Avenue and Francisco Avenue in Chicago. All but the...
|
IL | 6.7 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Dirt |
|
![]() |
Overview
Running between the suburbs of Chicago Heights and Joliet, the Old Plank Road Trail runs for 21.6 miles and offers views of oak trees and sugar maples, prairie grasses, and wildflowers...
|
IL | 21.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Orland Grassland trail is a perfect escape from the Chicago suburbs. The grassland itself is an Illinois Nature Preserve, and has been restored from farmland and now boasts 750 acres of...
|
IL | 8 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The village of Palatine has connected many of its community assets with two long sections of off-road, multi-use trail. The more popular northern section is the one most references call simply and...
|
IL | 9.6 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
The Pennsy Greenway stretches between Calumet City, Illinois, and Schererville, Indiana. The trail begins at the southern end of the Burnham Greenway on the eastern edge of the Forest Preserve...
|
IL, IN | 14.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Pike River Pathway is a paved, multiuse trail that parallels the river after which its named through meadows, fields, woods, and residential areas in the Village of Mount Pleasant, WI.
From...
|
WI | 6.9 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Prairie Trail runs the length of McHenry County and is managed by the McHenry County Conservation District. The rail trail spans just over 26 miles from the Wisconsin border and the...
|
IL | 26.4 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The Puri Path is a paved route in Rock Cut State Park, a beautiful outdoor destination of more than 3,000 acres for the city of Rockford. The path runs through the heavily wooded northeast corner of...
|
IL | 4 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The paved Rock River Recreation Trail winds throughout downtown Rockford and environs, following the east bank of the Rock River through Shorewood Park and Martin Memorial Park. Officially, the trail...
|
IL | 10 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Rock Valley College Path is a paved route looping around and through its namesake campus in Rockford. At its southern end, it connects to the Spring Brook Road bike lanes that continue east to the...
|
IL | 2.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Leave the cars at home: the Route 30 Bike Path gives users an alternative way to travel from the Village of Frankfort in the east, through Mokena to New Lenox in the west, a distance of over 7.5...
|
IL | 7.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Closure Notice: Starting 05/01/2023 through 12/31/2026, there will be intermittent trail closures under the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) bridge, spanning from Ogden Ave to 31st St due to ongoing...
|
IL | 26.7 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Woodchips |
|
![]() |
The Skokie Valley Trail in Cook County parallels active train tracks in the Village of Skokie, providing easy access to both the Oakton–Skokie and Dempster–Skokie stations on the CTA’s Yellow Line....
|
IL | 2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Southern Dupage County Regional Trail connects multiple of the larger forest preserves in Dupage county together. Starting near the intersection of 75th st and Ogden Ave in Aurora, the trail runs...
|
IL | 46 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Built on a former rail bed dating back to the 1850s, the Stone Bridge Trail provides a crushed limestone pathway through rural countryside. A highlight of the trail is passage on Stone Bridge over the...
|
IL | 5.8 mi | Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The Tall Grass Greenway Trail is a trail that runs along the right of way for ComEd powerlines. The trail goes mainly through neighborhoods in south Naperville, and meets up with the south branch of...
|
IL | 3.83 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Thorn Creek Trail offers a paved route traversing woodlands abundant with wildlife through several communities on the southern outskirts of Chicago. The trail travels from Brownwell Woods in...
|
IL | 17.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Timber Ridge trail is located on the eastern side of the Timber Ridge Forest Preserve in west Chicago. The preserve offers several trails, fishing, picnicking, and is home to Kline Creek Farms,...
|
IL | 1 mi | Gravel |
|
![]() |
The northern section of the Tinley Creek Trail is a series of color-coded connected loops and spurs that weave through several forest preserves in Cook County. The 24-mile trail system is paved,...
|
IL | 24 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Tinley Creek Trail is currently in two segments. This southern segment is within the South Green Belt Forest Preserve between Flossmor and Matteson, just west of I-57. The trail traverses wooded...
|
IL | 3.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Just 1 mile long, the Valley Line Trail—also known as the Sauganash Trail—extends between Bryn Mawr Avenue and Devon Avenue in the Chicago neighborhood of Sauganash. Two bridges allow for safe...
|
IL | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Although just shy of three miles, the Veterans Memorial Trail provides a wooded, paved trail experience for residents in the Chicago suburbs of Romeoville, Lemont, and Woodridge. Those seeking a...
|
IL | 2.7 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Virgil L. Gilman Trail travels from quiet forest and prairie lands to bustling neighborhoods in just 11.3 miles, linking a woodsy community college campus with the eastern Chicago...
|
IL | 11.3 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Overview
The trail system in Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve makes a loop around the entire park and totals 9.5 miles.
About the Route
The Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is geologically...
|
IL | 9.5 mi | Crushed Stone, Grass |
|
![]() |
Overview
The White River State Trail is a 19.7-mile trail composed of two separate segments: a 12-mile stretch that runs between Elkhorn and just west of Burlington in Walworth County, and a 7-mile...
|
WI | 19.7 mi | Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The Willow Creek Path is a pleasant, tree-lined trail that follows its namesake creek for most of its journey through the communities of Machesney Park and Loves Park in the Rockford metropolitan...
|
IL | 2.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Bauer Memorial Path provides a short route through residential and commercial areas of Machesney Park, a northern suburb of Rockford. The trail begins at the Harlem Community Center and travels in...
|
IL | 1.3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Buffalo Creek Trail makes a 3.4-mile loop around the scenic Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve in Long Grove. The crushed-gravel trail provides access to facilities throughout the...
|
IL | 3.4 mi | Crushed Stone, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The Burnham Greenway is composed of two distinct portions that both run along a former railroad corridor between Chicago and Lansing, Illinois. There are plans to extend and connect these short...
|
IL | 5.3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Chain O' Lakes Bike Path is a paved trail that runs between E. Grand Avenue in Fox Lake and Grant Woods Forest Preserve to the east. The trail parallels the railroad track and Rollins Road/CR 31,...
|
IL | 3.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Charles Street Community Path offers a neighborhood route through southeastern Rockford, connecting residents to CherryVale Mall on its eastern end. On its western end, Alpine Park is just north...
|
IL | 2.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The DeKalb Nature Trail provides a pleasant, tree-lined route in northern DeKalb. Near its western trailhead, it crosses the Kishwaukee River and passes through the Nehring Forest Preserve. Further...
|
IL | 1.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Fermilab Trail garners its name by running though the campus of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), the former home of the Tevatron particle accelerator. The 3.9-mile particle...
|
IL | 5.7 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
The Four Sisters Bike Path forms a horseshoe around the northern end of Rochelle, a small city south of Rockford in northern Illinois. The path connects several schools and parks, and the city has...
|
IL | 4.3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The 9-mile Green Bay Trail runs parallel to Chicago's Metra commuter rail line north of the Chicago city limits. Stretching through North Shore towns such as Kenilworth, Winnetka, Highland Park and...
|
IL | 8.9 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The Harlem Township Bike Path lies not far from the Rock River in western Machesney Park in the Rockford metropolitan area. The trail consists of a lower (southwest) and an upper (northeast) loop in...
|
IL | 1.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Hononegah Recreation Path begins near the State Route 2 bridge over the Rock River in Rockton, a small town about 4 miles south of the Illinois–Wisconsin border. The paved trail follows Hononegah...
|
IL | 3.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail follows the eponymous waterway alongside the Illinois River. It traverses the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, designated in 1984 and the first...
|
IL | 79.5 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Grass, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The Joliet Junction Trail is a paved path that travels north–south through the west side of Joliet. It occupies an abandoned Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway corridor that in its last years was known...
|
IL | 4.3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
From Main Street and Elevator Road in Roscoe, the scenic Kinstone Recreational Path winds its way northeast through woodlands along the north branch of Kinnikinnick Creek to the Stone Bridge Trail....
|
IL | 0.6 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail winds through the northern Illinois town of DeKalb, coursing along a river, through woodlands, among open spaces through parks and through suburban back yards. The trail...
|
IL | 4.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Long Prairie Trail journeys across the width of agricultural Boone County for nearly 14 miles on the railroad corridor previously used by the Kenosha and Rockford Railroad, later known as the...
|
IL | 13.9 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The Monon Trail in Lake County, Indiana—not to be confused with the trail of the same name in Indianapolis—links the two Chicago suburbs of Hammond and Munster. The paved trail occupies an abandoned...
|
IN | 4.4 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The North Shore Bike Path runs for nearly 8 miles between Lake Bluff and Mundelein, paralleling State Route 176 for the path's entire length. The trail is one of dozens in the Chicagoland area, all of...
|
IL | 7.7 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Note: Erosion caused by surging waves off Lake Michigan has caused the trail to collapse in sections. The eastern half of the trail along Lake Michigan is closed indefinitely. See the Chicago Park...
|
IL | 1 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
The Orland Park Bikeway provides a great connector across the Chicago suburb of Orland Park. On its southern end, the trail begins at W 159th Street and winds its way through Centennial Park, which...
|
IL | 6.7 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Gravel |
|
![]() |
The Paul Douglas and Crabtree Preserve Trail System connects two large nature preserves in northwestern Cook County.
The trail begins at the Old Stover Trailhead in the Crabtree Preserve, near the...
|
IL | 9.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail runs for 6 miles along an abandoned railroad corridor, between the towns of Allens Grove and Clinton. The trail is open to snowmobiles, cyclists, horseback riders and...
|
WI | 6 mi | Dirt, Grass |
|
![]() |
The Perryville Path runs nearly 15 miles, connecting the communities of Loves Park and Rockford, not far from the northern border of Illinois. A pleasant place to begin your journey is Rock Cut State...
|
IL | 14.9 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Poplar Creek Trail is a 9.5-mile paved loop around Poplar Creek Forest Preserve near Hoffman Estates. The trail has a couple of hills but is otherwise level and makes for a pleasant journey...
|
IL | 9.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Randall Road Bike Trail offers a 4-mile paved north-south route along its namesake roadway in a suburb west of Chicago. A highlight of the journey is the trail's passage through the LeRoy Oakes...
|
IL | 3.9 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The 4.4-mile River Bend Trail is so named for the loop of Fox River along which it follows on its eastern end. It's here that you can connect to the scenic Fox River Trail to travel 43 miles along the...
|
IL | 4.4 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Riverside Recreational Path begins as a gravel lane at the base of Riverside Park on the banks of the Rock River in Roscoe. From there, it continues along Rowena Street, paralleling State Route...
|
IL | 0.63 mi | Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Robert McClory Bike Path runs the length of Lake County, knitting together a string of communities on the north shore of Chicago all the way to the Wisconsin border. In 1997, the trail...
|
IL | 25.4 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The popular Rock Run Greenway Trail is a balanced mix of natural areas and cityscapes that alternate over the length of the trail. The natural areas are frequented by recreational users. The...
|
IL | 12.3 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Seven Waters Bike Trail is a scenic corridor stretching more than 18 miles north–south between Burlington and Muskego Lake into Waukesha County. The trail was originally three trails,...
|
WI | 18.6 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel |
|
![]() |
Overview
The Skokie Valley Trail connects Highland Park in the south to the northern trailhead in Lake Bluff. The entire trail corridor is a rail-with-trail, paralleled by double tracks that sit...
|
IL | 9.8 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
This is a newly constructed path that runs between S. Main Street and the Rock River in Rockford. It was built as part of the re-building of S. Main Street and runs from South Park south to the...
|
IL | 2.25 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Spring Creek Greenway Trail, separated into distinct eastern and western portions of the trail, spans 8.45 miles throughout two distinct sections of preserved and protected lands.
At its...
|
IL | 8.45 mi | Boardwalk, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
The Stone Mill Trail runs between Lawrence Road in Harvard and Maxon Road in Chemung. The 1.5-mile, paved trail mostly parallels County Highway 17 (Ramer Road) and active railroad tracks, and will...
|
IL | 1.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Techny Trail links downtown Glenview, a charming village northwest of Chicago, with the Techny Basin, a scenic wetlands area adjacent to the West Fork of the Chicago River's North Branch....
|
IL | 3 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
The Union Pacific Recreation Path offers a short route through the Village of Lincolnwood's east side between Devon and Touhy avenues. Following the former Union Pacific Railroad, the rail-trail...
|
IL | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Waubonsie Trail links Boulder Hill and the Village of Oswego via a greenway corridor within a residential community. The eastern trailhead is in Jaycee Park, which offers a playground, picnic...
|
IL | 3.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
In just a few short miles, the Wauponsee Glacial Trail leaves the urban confines of Joliet to bask in open farmland and reclaimed tallgrass prairie where the bison roam again. Named for a glacial lake...
|
IL | 22.3 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Overview
Blackberry Trail follows a stretch of Blackberry Creek in Montgomery, Illinois for 1.7 miles. The trail is best accessible from the forest preserve entrance at Caliendo Circle.
About...
|
IL | 1.7 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Dorr Road Bike Path begins at South Beloit Municipal Park and parallels the roadway for its entire length. The views are primarily residential. After about three-quarters of a mile (from the...
|
IL | 2.7 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The East Northbrook Trail is a 1-mile route through a wooded corridor adjacent to an out-of-service rail corridor in the Village of Northbrook. The trail provides access to residential neighborhoods,...
|
IL | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
El Paseo runs through the vibrant Chicago neighborhood of Pilsen, once home to a large Czech population but now the center of the Lower West Side’s Latino community. The neighborhood is filled with...
|
IL | 0.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Grove Road Trail parallels the local thoroughfare in the Village of Oswego, located near the southwestern edge of the Chicagoland metropolitan area.
In the north, the trail begins on the east...
|
IL | 3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
In southeastern Rockford, a paved pathway begins at a connection with the Charles Street Community Path then heads south along Mulford Road through a residential area. At Harrison Avenue, the path...
|
IL | 3.5 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
Lake Renwick Preserve is home to an artificial lake of the same name that was created from former quarries where aggregates for concrete were once mined. Today, the lake is a recreational amenity in...
|
IL | 3.35 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Although a relatively short trail, the Leland Path provides an important connection between the Hononegah Recreation Path and the Stone Bridge Trail. The pleasant, tree-dotted pathway travels through...
|
IL | 2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Pecatonica Prairie Trail, formerly known as the Pecatonica Prairie Path, is a 14.3-mile rail-trail extending from the western edge of Rockford to N. Farwell Bridge Road west of Pecatonica. The...
|
IL | 14.3 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
|
![]() |
Prospect Heights has very few sidewalks, so biking, inline skating or walking are moved to the streets or in the parks. Don't underestimate the Prospect Heights Bike Path which is over four miles of...
|
IL | 4.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Swanson Park Recreation Path is sometimes known as the Cherry Valley Path as it's located in the Village of Cherry Valley on the outskirts of Rockford in northern Illinois. The paved path travels...
|
IL | 2.4 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Lake Geneva Bike Path runs through the scenic resort city, offering connections to many of the community’s amenities. The trail has five unique, color-coded segments.
The Blue Route is the...
|
WI | 8.9 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Although the Phyllis Harmon Path is short, it's an important connector in an east-west bike/ped route between Arlington Heights and Glencoe. Following Dundee Road, the paved trail goes from the Des...
|
IL | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Ridgefield Trace is a multi-use pathway that runs through suburban Crystal Lake, Illinois. The trail takes its name from the original Indian trace that once ran along the route of what is now...
|
IL | 8 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Oswego Prairie Trail is a short paved route that occupies an overhead electric utility corridor owned by Commonwealth Edison. The path forms a direct link between two parks in Oswego—Farmington...
|
IL | 0.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
This path runs along the west side of the North Alpine Road in the Village of Machesney Park. It starts at the Schnuks parking lot and stretches about a mile north to the Lowe’s store parking area....
|
IL | 1.5 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
The Bull Valley Road Shared-Use Path travels along the south side of Bull Valley Road in the city of McHenry, Illinois. The paved path is suitable for non-motorized uses including walking, jogging,...
|
IL | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Commonwealth Edison Bikeway is a short paved trail that occupies an overhead electric utility corridor owned by Commonwealth Edison, the local utility company—hence the trail's name. While lacking...
|
IL | 1.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Fort Beggs Bike Trail (North) is a nearly mile-and-a-half long trail in Plainfield, Illinois. The trail shares the electric utility right-of-way, stretching from Fort Beggs Drive south to Spring...
|
IL | 1.4 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The city of Joliet saw its electric utility corridors as a recreational opportunity. One such trail is the Fort Beggs Bike Trail, which starts on Theodore Street and heads northwest in the shadow of...
|
IL | 2.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Fort Hill Bike Path trail sits on the north side of Peterson Road/ County Road 20. The trail peels away from the Prairie Crossing Bike Path at Midlothian Road and extends west, passing industries...
|
IL | 2.4 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Great Divide Trail sits is a one mile non-motorized trail through a negihborhood at the northern tip of Joliet, Illinois. The paved trail, which sits in the shadow of electric transmission lines,...
|
IL | 1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
This shared-use path runs east-west through the village of Carol Stream in Du Page county. Sitting on the grassy north side of Lies Road between Fair Oaks Road and Gary Avenue, the path is used as an...
|
IL | 2.8 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Lily Cache Greenway travels east-west across Bollingbrook, from the ComEd Greenway to the Plainfield border. The trail more or less follows the course of its namesake creek, and is characterized...
|
IL | 2.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
In the Village of Roscoe, a paved path of just over a mile parallels Main Street (which becomes Frontage Road) and then continues along the south side of McDonald Road, a quiet residential street....
|
IL | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Midway Village Museum Loop is a 1.4-mile pathway around Guilford County Forest Preserve (6595 Guilford Rd, Rockford) and passes the Midway Village Museum (6799 Guilford Rd, Rockford). The trail...
|
IL | 1.4 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
This path runs along Mitchell Road, starting in Machesney Park. The trail heads north and then travels east where it terminates at Sunny Meadow Drive outside of Russ Park. This short path is just...
|
IL | 0.6 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Racine’s southeastern neighborhoods are home to the North Shore Trail, which extends south to the Racine–Kenosha county line. Because Racine County standardized its signs several years ago, you won't...
|
WI | 3 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
Located in the west side of Illinois' second largest city, this flat, straight bike path sits on the side of Orchard Road. The trail passes by commercial, residential and natural areas, and crucially,...
|
IL | 4.5 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Palos Heights Bike Trail offers a north-south route through residential and commercial areas on the west side of the community. It's also a key connector between two regionally important...
|
IL | 2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Prairie Crossing Bike Path is a hard surface trail connecting Mundelein to Grayslake in central Lake County, Illinois. The trail is perpendicular to the 30-plus-mile Millennium Trail, which it...
|
IL | 3.7 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
With farmland to the east and the Des Plaines River Floodplain to the west, this picturesque trail is a relaxing adventure on two feet or on wheels. The crushed stone trail runs from Prairie Springs...
|
WI | 1.8 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt |
|
![]() |
The Prairie Point Trail is a scenic neighborhood route that connects twice to the longer Grove Road Trail. While never far from houses, the trail offers surprising scenery, including a stretch along a...
|
IL | 2 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Preservation Path is a two-mile paved trail in the community of Matteson, Illinois. The path begins on Vollmer Road and terminates at the Old Plank Road Trail. The trail is paved with center...
|
IL | 2.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The southern Wisconsin City of Beloit, located near the Illinois border, boasts over 9 miles of multiuse trail along the Rock River. The river is the centerpiece of downtown, and a system of...
|
WI | 9.2 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
|
![]() |
The Rockton Main Street Path is situated off the Rock River on the southern end of downtown Rockton, a charming Midwestern village near the Illinois–Wisconsin border. It begins at Settler's Park,...
|
IL | 0.8 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Rote Road Multi-Use Path offers a paved route along the south side of Rote Road in eastern Rockford. It travels for nearly a mile, providing access to neighborhoods, businesses, and the Aldeen...
|
IL | 0.8 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Stearns Road Bike Path is a dedicated sidepath traveling from Hanover Park to the Bartlett, in the Chicago suburbs. The asphalt path sits on the north side of Greenbrook Boulevard/ Stearns Road,...
|
IL | 3.54 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Struckman Boulevard Path is just over a mile long, stretching between Bartlett Road and State Route 59, (although the path narrows from the end of Sunset Park up to the end on SR 59). That said,...
|
IL | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
|
![]() |
The Williamson Parkway Bike Path offers a pleasant, paved route through a residential area in southern Rockton. The mile-long trail follows its namesake roadway from Freeport Road (also known as S....
|
IL | 1 mi | Asphalt |
|
Traveled roundtrip from 135th St (Romeo Rd). then south to Joliet at the Ironworks. Because the trail follows the old I&M canal there are no steep grades. Some parts in Lockport are paved but most of the trail is crushed limestone with few other trail users outside the cities. There are numerous markers all along the trail that explain the history of the canal and the surrounding area.
Rode this trail 7/6/24 and found it disappointing. Rode from mile 3.0 to 15.0 and back. The trail had sections of too deep gravel challenging traction. The entire route had loose stones and some ruts.
Nice trail with cool bridge over Fox River. However, came across two viaducts west of the river with homeless people literally doing drugs as I rode through. I didn’t feel very safe.
The section from Bruce Road to the 355 tollway is gravel (not crushed limestone) and rather rough. The remainder of the trail westward is crushed limestone and is very scenic. At the 355 tunnel, you can head north on the Veterans Memorial trail which is asphalt and in excellent shape, super smooth with no annoying cracks. Night and day difference from the start of this trail.
5 mile circle of Wolf Lake and Lake George . The 3.5 miles along Wolf Lake are lovely. The West side goes parallel to Toll Road but you are mostly hidden by reeds and brush. Can extend up to Lake Michigan for 1 mile lake front ride. Makes over all ride about 8 or 9 miles. Lots of parking at Hammond Wolf Lakefront.
Excellent visit for the second time we were able to make this trip from Joliet to Peru, it was wonderful, it is a safe road I think it lacks some maintenance but in general it is a very good, recommendable
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.
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.
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.
Great trail. Good mix of hills.
This path is very fun to ride. At the right time of day the reflections on the lake are awesome.
My Overall Thoughts Of This Path Is Amazing, Except The 12 Miles From North Chicago To The State Line, Is The Downside. Ever Since I've Been Living In Waukegan For 8 Years, This Path Has Not Changed. The Path Is Still Crushed Limestone To This Day, And Lake County Hasn't Paved it Yet. Bike Paths Are Not Supposed To Be Unpaved, All Paths Should Be Paved Except The Forest Preserve. The North Chicago, Waukegan, and Zion Sections Are Sketchy. These Area's Has A Lot of Street Crossings, And I Have An E-Bike, That I Ride On Here Most of The Time. With That Amount Of Street Crossings, It Drains My Battery, And I Can't Even Get To My Destination Without Getting Stranded. Before Spring This Year, I Got Stuck Nearly 3 Times On This Trail. Back On February 11th, 2024, I Was Riding To The State Line Which Was 9 Miles From Waukegan, And Then As I Was Heading Home, I saw 2 Or 3 Deers By The Trail Intersection In Beach Park Where Lions Woods Is At. So I had To Take A Shortcut Home. So I Turned Around And Turned Left On The Lions Woods Savanna Trail West, And Turned Left On Butrick Ave, And Went Straight Down. When I Left The Trail My Bike Tire Pops! With All The Constant Stoppings For These Cross Streets Is Really Bad, And I Had To Walk The 2 Miles Back Home. I Hope The City Of Waukegan Tells Lake County To Pave This Asap. Now The Second Time, On February 18th 2024, I was Riding To Highwood, And Thats 12 Miles Away From Waukegan. So When I was Entering Downtown North Chicago, My Bike Battery Dies. Thanks To The Constant Stops! If This Part Of The Trail Was Continued It Would Not Happen. Lake County! You Really Need To Pave This Path, It's Not Good, And With All This Limestone, Is Making The Treads Of My Bike Tire's Ware Out. If You Guys Have Kids, Make Sure They Have An Electric Scooter With Tires, And Not Rubber. I Contacted The Lake County Division Of Transportation, Asking Them If They Could Pave The Trail From North Chicago, To The State Line, They Never Responded. People Need To Stop Being Lazy And Pave This Path. The Only Part Of This Trail That Is Paved Is When Exiting North Chicago South To Great Lakes Navel Base, Lake Bluff, lake Forest, Highwood, Highland Park, And The County Line. Btw This Path So Far Looks Better With The New Bike Signs, And The Mile Markers, Which I'm Very Happy About. Now, When It Started Getting Warmer, In The North Chicago / Waukegan Section, The People Are Putting Graffiti On The New Bike Signs, Which Is Disappointing. How Am I Supposed To Navigate If They Are Going To Be Doing That? I Don't Know, But They Better Stop! Let's Hope Soon They Pave This Trail Soon! Now 2 Days Ago I Was Taking Some Night Photos Of This Trail, Right By Dugdale, And Belvidere Rd, Which Is The Small Portion Of The Trail Which Was Really Dark With No Lights, And It Was an Amazing Spot To Take Pictures. That Night I Saw Really Bright Lights Coming From The South Thinking it Was The Police Patrolling On The Trail, But There Was 4 People With Electric Scooters Which Was Cool, However, When I was Taking Photos Of The Trail, They Were Looking At Me Like I was Doing Something. Number 1, You Do Not Own The Trail, Number 2, Don't Give People Looks Just Because They Are Taking Pictures, Number 3, Your Kids Should Not Be Out Riding At 10:00 At Night, They Should Be In Bed. Now Today! As I Was Cruising On My E-Bike This Afternoon, I Saw This Idiot Speeding With His Dirt Bike On The Trail, It's A Good Thing I Pulled Over, Because He Would Have Gotten Dust All Over Me From The Ground. If It Says No Motorized Vehicles, Why Are People Doing It? Waukegan Really Needs Strict Rules Here. If I See That Guy Doing It Again, I'm Calling The Police. Anyway It's Still A Nice Trail, It Just Needs A few Updates, And Lets Hope They Pave The Whole 12 Miles From North Chicago To The State Line.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!