Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Illinois, 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.
_207962_st.jpg)
The bridge over IL 111 is nearly done and it is looking awesome. This will take out a dangerous road crossing and let us fly down the trail.
Kankakee is half gravel half asphalt. It’s a perfect 15 miles so back & forth you can get a nice 30. Adding miles through town isn’t hard just watch the areas you go through. It is a BEAUTIFUL trail! It travels through Kankakee State Parks & along the Kankakee River. Some rises & falls, nice little hills. Cute bridges one big suspension bridge over a creek where locals swim in the summer. The far (NW) side of the trail has a pit toilet & an archery setup with a big stand. You ride through campgrounds, suburb sections, fairgrounds, parks, make sure to stop at the Indian Cave. Lots of photos ops along the trail. I really highly recommend checking it out!
I have been walking the woods around here for decades. The main bike trail is fine. Do not attempt to go in at jurgensen woods and try to head east though. Start at sweet woods across the street and stay on the main. Cook country forest preserve actively tries to only maintain the main paved bike trail. The very nice little jog which is shown here in jurgenson is not maintained at all and it’s a shame because it was a nice out of the way side quest 20 years ago.
Tunnel is about 10 miles north on the trail, nice crushed stone, generally well-maintained.
The trail is tree lined, dogwoods flowering during our ride. Numerous nice wooden bridges. Generally a gorgeous ride.
You can park in Vienna or just about the tunnel. Remember to take your sunglasses off when you go in the tunnel or it is pitch black!
About 1.5 miles south of Vienna, the trail has much more coarse gravel which is ride-able with a hybrid or gravel bike but not as pleasant as the rest of the trail that we enjoyed with electric cruisers. Gentle grade varies throughout the trail.
We camped at Shawnee campground within 1.5 miles of the trail, nice shoulders on the road leading up to a round-about with a wide sidewalk taking you the rest of the way to the trail. Very popular Mexican restaurant and Diner right off the train in Vienna, also gas stations and fast food.
Beautiful trail, love that it is more than 10 miles, but would not recommend for rollerblading. Much of the asphalt was cracked, and not sealed. It did not feel safe to be rollerblading on it, and did not love the vibrations from the asphalt shooting up my legs. Seems like a wonderful trail for walking/running/ and maybe biking.
You need to cross several major roads, but the ride is beautiful!
The trail from rusty nail north to Richmond was very rough and I lost the screws to my kick stand with all the bumps in the trail is there any plans to help smooth them out — I understand the horses share the trail but if they could help by staying to one side so us bikers have a chance on using the trail with out so many bumps dug into the paths¿
I don’t know how anyone could give this trail less than five stars. There are hills of course. It does have fine P gravel. it gets busy with hikers during the weekends when the weather… because it’s a great trail! I have been hiking and biking this trail for years now and it’s one of the most scenic spots. If you are a street rider, obviously you would want pavement and a more even trail. As long as you know how to use your gears and pace yourself ..pay attention and look ahead. You’ll be fine. I am no expert bike rider. But this is a great trail. I highly recommend for all levels.
Easy paved trail with lots of wildlife. steep incline after bluff road though.
There is nothing special about this trail except it gets you to the bike path that runs along the Mississippi River which is a very nice ride. It’s nice you can park your car at the MCT bus station to start the trail. The trail does run along the levee of the Wood River creek which you can usually see deer but the levee road has lots of pot holes so you will have to watch while you are riding. To me this is just a feed trail to the nicer one along the Mississippi.
This trail segment winds through forest preserves alongside the river without any road crossings. There are some small hills and a short on-road section but a pretty easy ride with great scenery all the way. A few turf trails are in McDowell Grove preserve as a side trip.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
