Find the top rated dog walking trails in Valparaiso, whether you're looking for an easy short dog walking trail or a long dog walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a dog walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Simply put, it doesn't get any better than this in Illinois. Referred to as the Lake Michigan Trail, this one can be ridden along the lake for more than the advertised 19 miles. I've done every inch of this path numerous times and always look forward to coming back. The entire trail is cement or asphalt making it an easy mover. Wind can obviously play a role (yeah, go figure) as can traffic (many walk, peddle and run this trail). The sites...well...they are as you can imagine, limitless. There are an endless number of places to stop for a rest and an equal number of curiousities to pull over and check out. My favorite is north of Oak Street beach. After a good number of miles I like to pit stop here and jump into the lake to cool off. This isn't for everybody. : ) In all seriousness this path has so much to offer you might ride it 50 times before noticing something new.
For close to five years I lived at the zero marker for the IPP in Wheaton. This gave me unabated access to a wonderful path that offered multiple paths in every direction. Each path differed in terms of scenery but the trail was always kept up nicely and offered great views of parks, towns and history. I don't ride the IPP much these days as I live near the Fox River Trail and call that my favorite now. But I have very fond memories of riding every inch of the IPP more than many times. Cheers.
Lasalle to Buffalo Rock Trail was a muddy mess. Might’ve worked with those big snow tires, but anything else wouldn’t have worked today. Trail is missing a bridge about 2 miles east of Utica Several trees down across the trail. The tree one-half mile west of Buffalo Rock was completely covered with poison ivy, AND had a hornets nest in it. Several other riders told us they had been stung multiple times. On a dryer day, it might’ve gone better. Bring your bug spray!
Don't rely on Google Maps if you're trying to access this trail from MIchigan City. We realized after much frustration that it tries to take you through the power plant property, which is not actually an option.
Wanted to try a new trail this year, for as remote this trail is it's well kept, several street crossings with low traffic volume. Some open areas that could make the ride hot depending on the temps or hard depending on wind speed and direction, bring plenty of water the farther south you go the fewer stops with water supplies there are. overall nice trail
I have road most of this trail twice now, one as part of the LATE ride which the last one was in 2016, riding down the lakefront seeing the sun rise was fantastic! It was so good I went back (a 150 mile drive for me) again to just ride it from end to end.
Part of it needs better signage as around some of the marinas it was confusing but over all it was great. Seeing all the high rises on one side and Lake Michigan on the other sets it above a lot of other trails I have ridden.
I look forward to getting back up there in the next year or 2 to ride again.
great trail to walk on if it is not muddy have walked from Devon to Algonquin road and had no problems
My stepmom lives in Crown Point and five miles from the southern terminus off Summit Road. I've done parts of the southern and middle section several times, and in June 2019 walked the entire trail over several days with my dog Zeke. What a wonderful trail.
The trail is paved the entire way. Every town it passes through is responsible for upkeep, and all towns are maintaining it well. The Hammond section had the most bumps in the trail from the many tall tree roots nearby. The Griffith-Highland section is the prettiest, with art, landscaping and dedicated trees along the way. Here you can stop and walk into nearby businesses for food and even craft beer. Nearby breweries one can walk to are 18th Street Brewery in Hammond, New Oberpfalz and Pokros in Griffith.
You do have many street crossings that are named and marked with yellow. There are two pedestrian overpasses in Hammond. The overpass north of Kenwood Avenue, though, is currently in repair and the trail detours for .4 miles around the construction, so be aware of that.
The only part I didn't like was the gritty area between 165th and 169th Streets in Hammond. It's loud and stinky there, but the north and south end of the Hammond stretch were nicer than expected.
There is plenty of parking all throughout the trail south of Hammond. In Hammond the parking is next the the Lake County courthouse parking lot which is patrolled 24.7.
There are no streetlights along the trail. The trail officially closes at 10pm but I suggest you get off the trail before dark because the rural sections get very dark.
There are no bathrooms along this entire trail. You have benches and water fountains south of Hammond.
I love this trail but a few tings to note. Be wary of walking or biking this trail after heavy torrential rainstorms, especially in the springtime, as it obviously parallels salt creek, hence the name. Several areas flood along the route.
As others have stated, it is confusing to get on this "trail" when starting from Busse Woods. You have to start at the Busse Woods entrance/exit at Arlington Heights Rd. cross the street and zig zag over to Ridge St. Ridge St. is the "trail" through Elk Grove and through the industrial Park in Wood Dale before finally hitting the gravel path and then eventually asphalt.
Good occasional views of deer and geese are common around the ponds in Addison.
I love this trail. I was SO DISAPPOINTED that the trail was cut off at Willow Springs Road. Now I am wondering if the trail was open from 135th street to
Willow Springs Road.
I am also wondering what kind kind of promise is for the future.
I hit the trail today at 6am. That’s the magic hour, the air is crisp, lots of fauna to see and most of all the path is yours alone and it is fast. I started at freedom park and rode the whole length. It’s hilly and curvy in the right places. I’ll be back soon despite someone's refusal to curb their dog.
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