Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Illinois, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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It is July 2026, and the 294 closure on the trail is not open to use. Please update in the review section.
This is one of my favorite trails and I’ve probably biked over a hundred. It’s a good workout and also relaxing because it’s straight, mostly flat, and bordered by wildflowers and butterflies. I’d avoid the town portions in both Mattoon and Charleston, going park to park from the east of Mattoon to the west of Charleston. This is still about a ten mile stretch each way. There is only one crossing that’s at all iffy - the top of a hill both ways just east of the golf course. Otherwise just a super calm ride.
I have been riding this trail for three years now. (2024 - 2026) No more. The gravel has, in many places, turned dusty, deep and slippery. You might enjoy the gravel on a gravel bike. I ride a skinny tire road bike. OK for the first two years. Not OK this year.
Rode the Blackwell Forest Preserve section on July 25, 2026. Despite hot temperatures, the shaded stretches kept us cool. The condition of the crushed limestone surface was smooth but dusty. The only glitch was that several times we rode around a bend only to be run off the trail by groups riding two or three abreast. First time that’s happened In 2000 miles of biking. Wouldn’t keep us from going again…outstanding trail.
This is a composite rating. From Vienna to New Burnside I would only give it a 3 as there are sections with larger stone which are rougher and more difficult to ride. The tunnel itself stays damp and is slightly slick; I choose to walk through it on my return trip. Most of the route from New Burnside through Harrisburg is a smoother stone dust surface, with about 5-6 miles through Harrisburg paved. I would give that section a 4.5. Beyond Harrisburg the trail is exposed to the sun and adjacent to a major road, so I would only choose that section for transportation, not to enjoy the ride.
Aside from the surface, the trail is well shaded, although the dense forest border prevents seeing much of the surrounding scenery. Also take all the supplies you'll need as some of the facilities were closed without water, and many of the named places do not have commercial services.
Bike type: Hybrid (Specialized Sirus 2019)
Conditions: mid-70's, light breeze, dry
Segment biked: Just south of Algonquin to Barnard Mill Rd (north of McHenry) = 40 miles
I started my ride around 9:30am on a July Friday. I had biked a few miles of the trail just north of downtown Algonquin before, the rest was new to me. Perfect conditions motivated me in every way. Perfect temps, full sun, and breeze kept me going for my longest ride since 1997.
The entire path that I rode was asphalt. There are a couple of deviations through downtown areas when you're on sidewalks or streets. But everything was paved. Riding from town to town has always been a favorite, but the Prairie trail gie you even more than that. North of Crystal Lake you'll find miles on end of straight path and very little to see except nature. There's also Sterne's Woods, which really threw me for a loop. Can't say I've ever seen signs that tell bikers to dismount. Then you find out why. There are several hills back here to test your fortitude. At least three hills look to be close to a 45-degree angles. If you're riding these as I did, be careful and make sure you're only tempting them in optimal conditions (dry, no wind). Just coasting pushed me close to 40mph. These hills are as tough as they come to climb in Illinois. Algonquin, Crystal Lake and McHenry all offer pitstops if you need one. I saw two other parking lots away from the towns with benches and bathrooms. I had read from other reviewers that the path north of Barnard Mill Rd was gravel and dicey, so I didn't tempt that. My hybrid tires can hold their own, but it only takes one sharp piece of gravel to strand you far from your starting point. All in all, this path is a 10 out of 10 in my opinion. It's extremely well kept up, very diverse, ridable for any type of bike, with amenities and beauty along the way.
Great trail, but rode it today and there is construction that is not passable at about 7 miles from Galena.
Sorry for the cobbled review below. My screen froze up. This is a really nice trail and it is well-maintained. There’s lots of shade and it goes through a nice area. I definitely recommend this trail.
I started on the nature trail around the corner horseshoe Lake and did a loop and connected to this trail. I really enjoyed it. Lots of shade and nice scenery. It backs up to some nice houses and a good area. Not a lot of people on a trail and even though it was in the 90s, it didn’t feel that hot because of the shade. The trail is really well maintained. What the are parks and various stores and things right off the trail. I recommend doing a
The trail is pretty nice once you get closer to Edwardsville. It actually has the least amount of nature of the trails, but it works. It goes through some industrial areas and there’s not a whole lot of scenery until you start getting close to Edwardsville. The pavement is in good shape mostly it’s not an A trail but it’s a B for sure. Not much shade in most parts. The trail that connects to all the other trails so you don’t have to do out and back. You can jump on and hit the nickel trail loop. It is really nice.
Hennepin segment in this review: Sterling to Tampico
Bike: Specialized Sirus hybrid
Type of biker: casual, but I bike daily and can handle 25-35 mile rides
Weather: sunny, warm, upper 70's and dry.
Trail conditions: dry
Bike recommendation: no street bikes. Perfect for hybrid and mountain.
Other recommendations: sun protection, excess water, small protein bar or similar, phone, sunglasses, small towelette for sweat.
I started this trail at its entrance on the Sterling side of the Rock River.
Crossing the Rock was a nice starter. On the western dam side, a group of pelicans and their babies swam in the water. Can't say I've ever seen pelicans in Illinois before.
Once you reach the Rock Falls side the trail adjoins the Hennepin canal for the rest of the ride. In warm weather you're likely to see a lot of people fishing all the way down to the I88 underpass.
Heading south of I88 you aren't likely to see anyone. The trail is in decent shape being earthen based and I didn't see much more than small twigs on my ride south. There's easily a good 7-8 miles where you don't see much of anything manmade with the exception of crossing a road.
If you're a bird lover, this area will highly appeal. During my 25-mile journey I must have seen at least 50-75 orioles, a variety of blue colored birds, cardinals, several colors of finch, and a bird that has white tipped feathers that I've never seen before. I'm not a birder but they are beautiful to watch. The canal itself is clean with occasional turtles perched on logs.
There was only one spot on my segment with bathrooms, and that was closer to Tampico. The rest of the trail is devoid of bathrooms, benches and other amenities.
Some additional observations regarding this part of the trail:
Google maps indicate that a sunflower field is near the intersection of the trail and Star Road. There isn't. The area is entirely corn fields.
For rides longer than 5-10 miles, make sure to bring your own hydration and food. I bike daily and can handle long rides. But back here it gets rather warm. Water consumption for me was a little bit greater, and I even found a need to eat a protein bar to steady my energy level.
Importantly; a 25-mile ride back here will feel like well over 35. While the trail is in good shape, you do make a lot of dodges to avoid branches, twigs, holes, hanging bushes and other deterrents. The earthen path also slows your speed.
I didn't quite make it to downtown Tampico as I had original set out to do. My halfway point became Fargo Rd, at which point, I could see the little city of Tampico from a distance.
This leg of the trail completed my third on the Hennepin Canal Trail. It's a very peaceful trail with a lot of upside.
Cheers.
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