This could be an awesome trail if some repaving were done, from Crown point to tunnel where Sherrerville section starts it’s great. But from that point north it has deep cracks about every 10 or 15 feet and feels like you are riding over perpetual railroad tracks. It hooks right into the oak Savannah trail as well but you have to endure a rough ride to get there. Real shame this trail has been neglected, it could and should be a great trail

My friends and I first rode the original trail from the zoo to I-294 in about 1963. It was a dirt horse path and we often ran into horses near the west end of the trail. After it rained it was a sloppy mess. We often bounced over the hoof prints stamped into the wet soil after it dried up. We could only dream of it some day being paved. There was only a short distance of about 400 feet paved east of Maple Avenue (17th Ave).

There are shelters along the way on the west portion that were built during the depression. The park area just east of Il Rt 45 (La Grange Rd) is shown in aerial photographs taken in the 1930’s. The railroad underpass is part of the old horse trail.

Part of old La Grange Road is on the right just south of Cermak Road. Check out the old La Grange Road bridge abutments heading south from Cermak Road on the left. There is a yellow rope up so you don’t accidentally walk off the edge. An old subdivision that was never built is off to the right south of 31st St. Only the side walks were built and they are covered over with vegetation. There were street lights along the sidewalks when I was a kid.

The path was paved sometime in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s. It nice trail and it’s been extended at both ends over the years. I have been riding up and down it for about 57 years. Time goes fast. Don’t miss it.

My friends and I first rode the original trail from the zoo to I-294 in about 1963. It was a dirt horse path and we often ran into horses near the west end of the trail. After it rained it was a sloppy mess. We often bounced over the hoof prints stamped into the wet soil after it dried up. We could only dream of it some day being paved. There was only a short distance of about 400 feet paved east of Maple Avenue (17th Ave).

There are shelters along the way on the west portion that were built during the depression. The park area just east of Il Rt 45 (La Grange Rd) is shown in aerial photographs taken in the 1930’s. The railroad underpass is part of the old horse trail.

Part of old La Grange Road is on the right just south of Cermak Road. Check out the old La Grange Road bridge abutments heading south from Cermak Road on the left. There is a yellow rope up so you don’t accidentally walk off the edge. An old subdivision that was never built is off to the right south of 31st St. Only the side walks were built and they are covered over with vegetation. There were street lights along the sidewalks when I was a kid.

The path was paved sometime in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s. It nice trail and it’s been extended at both ends over the years. I have been riding up and down it for about 57 years. Time goes fast. Don’t miss it.

No this trail is not paved or smooth but if you enjoy more of a path then pavement, you will enjoy this one. During periods of rain the trail does have sections with standing water ....but we wear our sandals and it's fun.

So happy I discovered this trail. Really beautiful and offers some challenge with the occasional incline and quick turns (but no serious inclines) and beautiful scenery surrounds on the majority the trail. Family friendly and suitable for cyclists of all levels.

I was afraid I’d get lost on this trail based on reviews but it was great! We started at the Arboretum in Evanston and followed the trail all the way on the West side to a great new bridge on Lincoln Avenue... we then followed the East side through some beautiful parks to Lawrence then headed back...14 miles or so round trip. We loved the extensive sculptures though there was a bit of noise on McCormick.

Rode this trail 2020 August...trail is well maintained and in good shape. Bathroom at start of trail only in Winamac, however, you do go through a couple of other small towns with bars and restaurants which would have bathrooms, as well the trail is heavily wooded for the most part. Trail has a couple of nice bridges over rivers with seating/resting ares. Half the 22mi tail parallels Hwy 35, being approx 25 yards off same...so you have a lot of traffic noise. The trail ends basically in the middle of nowhere, with a picnic table, bike rake, and no bathroom or anything else. However, nice trail will ride again.

Over the past 2 weeks there has been debris (thumbtacks or glass) on the north end of the trail causing flat tires for cyclists. It happened to me 2 weeks ago but today there were multiple cyclists with flat tires so I turned around at Old Elm. Hopefully someone maintaining the trail will read this.

Short trail but leads you straight to the beach!