Glendale Heights, IL Mountain Biking Trails and Maps

1435 Reviews

Looking for the best Mountain Biking trails around Glendale Heights?

Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Glendale Heights, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
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12 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Des Plaines River Trail

56.1 mi
State: IL
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Great American Rail-Trail

3743.9 mi
State: DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Hebron Trail

6.7 mi
State: IL
Crushed Stone, Gravel

Illinois Prairie Path

58.52 mi
State: IL
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Middlefork Savanna Trail

4.3 mi
State: IL
Crushed Stone, Gravel

North Shore Channel Trail

8.3 mi
State: IL
Asphalt, Concrete, Dirt

Prairie Trail (IL)

26.4 mi
State: IL
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Waterfall Glen

9.5 mi
State: IL
Crushed Stone, Grass

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail

79.5 mi
State: IL
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Grass, Gravel

North Shore Bike Path

7.7 mi
State: IL
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Plum Creek Greenway Trail

4.15 mi
State: IL
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Prairie Farms Trail

1.8 mi
State: WI
Crushed Stone, Dirt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview The Des Plaines River Trail runs alongside the Des Plaines River for just over 56 miles, protecting watershed habitat and forestland through much of Lake and Cook Counties. The trail is a...
IL 56.1 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
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
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
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 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
Overview The North Shore Channel Trail extends 8.3 miles from the junction of Green Bay Road and McCormick Boulevard in northern Evanston to the junction of Lawrence Avenue and Francisco Avenue in...
IL 8.3 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Dirt
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
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
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 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
Overview The Plum Creek Greenway Trail meanders for 3.15 miles through the Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, with an unconnected 1-mile section in Plum Valley Preserve. About the Route The Plum...
IL 4.15 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
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

Recent Trail Reviews

Long Prairie Trail

Disappointed

October, 2024 by deetiffanylb

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!

Great American Rail-Trail

such a beautiful trail!

October, 2024 by sherryschie

We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!

Bloomingdale Trail (The 606)

606

October, 2024 by noxxid

Short trail especially for cyclists, more so a commuter trail. Expect a slow and someone densely populated ride, but excellent views of the neighborhoods.

Accordion

North Branch Trail

beautiful trail

October, 2024 by given.sandra

We just completed this paved trail. Absolutely beautiful! It’s whining and bikers, walkers, runners n dog walkers use this trail. We didn’t go fast and loved it.

Centennial Trail (IL)

This trail rides FAST!

October, 2024 by ericevan

I've had this trail on my to-do list for a few years and finally made my way down today. My perspective comes on an upper 70's-degree, bright sunny Saturday. I started at the west end, biked to the east end at Willow Springs, and did the full loop for about 25 miles.

This trail rides like a straight road that offers little resistance. Yes, there are bends and turns along the length of the trail, but there's not a single spot on this path that really slows you down. The trail is entirely asphalt and in some places, pure road. All bikes will find this trail user friendly, but road bikers especially love it. They were 90% of who were riding today. The asphalt itself is in great shape. Most of it appears to be newer, and the trail is nicely taken care of.

About the only drawbacks I saw: The trail becomes a road that shares space with semi's and other large trucks for about a mile. I didn't have any troubles back here, but when a truck drives by you're going to get some dirt kicked up into the air. Didn't care for that.

I parked at the west end which had a bathroom, signage and some seating. I didn't notice many benches along the path but a 3ft cement wall that resides in many places along the path would make for a good topping point for those who need a rest.

All in all this is a nice trail, especially if you're looking to go fast. In terms of site-seeing, I was a little surprised that you're siloed on this path and really don't see much of the surroundings while on the trail. Only a couple spots offer a view.

Happy trails.

Robert McClory Bike Path

Thoughts Of This Trail Getting Paved, And The Lack Of People Getting Caught Using Motorized Bikes!

September, 2024 by ij3175974

Good News! This Path Is Finally Going To Get Paved Soon, Between 2025 And 2026. I Can't Wait To See How This Path Turns Out, And I'm Ready For This Trail To Be Like The Kenosha County Bike Trail. I'm Glad They Are Doing This, Because I've Caught Several People Speeding On This Trail With Dirt Bikes, And I Think It's Annoying And Dangerous. The Signs Say No Equestrian, And Motorized Vehicles On The Trail, And People Don't Listen. Till This Day, People Still Ride These Motorized Vehicles On This Trail, Including The Waukegan Savanna Trail, Which Is Connected Right By The Trail Intersection In Beach Park, Right Next To The Lyons Woods Forest Preserve. Today, I Saw This One Person Speeding With A Dirt Bike On The Waukegan Savanna Trail, And I Was About To Film Him And Report Him To The Police. If I Catch More People Doing It, I Will Start Recording, And Reporting It To The Police, Because That Should Be Illegal. Overall, I Ride This Trail Often To Visit The Waukegan Airport, To Do A 10 Mile Round Trip Ride, Just Looking Forward To Seeing This Trail Paved, Hopefully In Spring 2025. Be Safe Guys!

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail

Mostly Cow Paths

September, 2024 by ronbadger66

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.

Prairie Trail (IL)

Water fountain removed

September, 2024 by elissasteglich

The water fountain noted on the map at Hillside Rd no longer exists. Looks like it was taken out.

Rock Run Greenway Trail

south end under construction in Sept. 2024

September, 2024 by jcook1950_tl

the south end of the trail along Houbolt Rd. from I-80 up to the junior college is under construction but still accessible as of September 2024.
otherwise as noted in earlier reviews, it is a nice trail.

Oak Savannah Trail

Nice ride today

September, 2024 by carlbrunning99

Rode the OST today. Well marked, flat and paved. A few tree roots but not significant. The trail goes through neighborhoods, parks and open land. Shaded most of the way. Overall a good 20 mile RT ride.

Robert McClory Bike Path

street crossings

September, 2024 by given.sandra

We just rode this trail yesterday. Started at the south section of the Kenosha County trail. The limestone is well maintained and we didn’t see any trash or broken glass as others stated. It’s a great path but we didn’t like the numerous crossings. Folks don’t stop even when you push the yield light button. The north part of the trail goes thru sketching areas but we felt safe. Best part was when you get to the Great Lakes Naval station as the path is paved n beautiful. I doubt we’ll redo this one but do recomend for others who don’t mind the crossings.

Marquette Trail

major improvements coming

September, 2024 by davesnyder1622

On 8/27/24, the National Park Service issued a solicitation for bids to improve the Marquette Trail within its boundaries as part of the overall Marquette Greenway project. Approximately 2.5 miles of the existing trail will become a 10-foot wide asphalt multi-use trail with 2-foot gravel shoulders, and include a new bridge. It looks like completion will be in 2026. Other segments of the Marquette Greenway are complete around Burns Harbor and Michigan City, and more will open by Fall 2024.

Find Nearby City trails

Accordion

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