Once warmer weather begins to arrive, we Illinoisans are ready to get outside and visit our many parks, preserves, and other outdoor attractions. For some, enjoying the great outdoors means hopping on a bike! It’s wonderful exercise and an incredible way to experience the natural beauty that our state has to offer. Here are some of the bike trails you should check out:
- Lake of the Woods Path (Champaign County)
Angie Rosenbery Bartholomew/Facebook Enjoy the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve by bike on this beautiful trail. Ride the full 3.3 miles for a leisurely, enjoyable experience.
More information and directions here.
- Tunnel Hill State Trail (Johnson, Pulaski, Saline, and Williamson Counties)
Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia This 55.6 mile trail is expansive, but you can choose to ride as much (or little) as you want! It’s an interesting route filled with bridges, ghost towns, and more.
More information and directions here.
- Lost Bridge Trail (Sangamon County)
Mary Jo Seiz/Facebook Ride through forests, prairie land, and over Sugar Creek Bridge on this path. Beginner bike riders appreciate the nearly completely flat terrain and gorgeous scenery.
More information and directions here.
- Jane Addams Trail (Stephenson County)
Linden Feller/Facebook This lengthy trail is over 14 miles long, but it’s worth every pedal! Start in Freeport and head to the border of Wisconsin, and you’ll pass tons of gorgeous scenery along the way.
More information and directions here.
- Carlyle Lake Trails (Clinton County)
Carlyle Lake/Facebook This paved trail is great for riders of all skill levels. The path goes right over the Carlyle Lake Dam - an experience you shouldn’t miss!
More information and directions here.
- Poplar Creek Trail (Cook County)
Marcey Kaye Kolb/Facebook Poplar Creek Trail might be located in Cook County, but you’d never know it’s so close to Chicago! The 9.5 mile loop takes riders through Poplar Creek Forest Preserve.
More information and directions here.
- Rock Island Trail (Peoria & Stark Counties)
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy/Facebook This trail is broken into two parts: the more urban paved southern path and the northern route, which takes you through small towns. The scenery changes many times throughout the ride, so you’ll remain interested and excited the whole time!
More information and directions here.
- Rend Lake Bike Trail (Franklin & Jefferson Counties)
Myron Dierks/Facebook Rend Lake is one of the natural wonders of southern Illinois, making this bike path a popular destination. Gear up to ride over 20 miles or make a plan for a shorter trip - either way, it’ll be beautiful!
More information and directions here.
- Galena River Trail (Jo Daviess County)
Galena This 4.5 mile trail is full of natural beauty. It’s built on an old railroad line, and you can enjoy limestone bluffs and wetlands along the way.
More information and directions here.
Where is your favorite place to bike in Illinois? Tell us about it in the comments.
Angie Rosenbery Bartholomew/Facebook
Enjoy the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve by bike on this beautiful trail. Ride the full 3.3 miles for a leisurely, enjoyable experience.
More information and directions here.
Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia
This 55.6 mile trail is expansive, but you can choose to ride as much (or little) as you want! It’s an interesting route filled with bridges, ghost towns, and more.
More information and directions here.
Mary Jo Seiz/Facebook
Ride through forests, prairie land, and over Sugar Creek Bridge on this path. Beginner bike riders appreciate the nearly completely flat terrain and gorgeous scenery.
More information and directions here.
Linden Feller/Facebook
This lengthy trail is over 14 miles long, but it’s worth every pedal! Start in Freeport and head to the border of Wisconsin, and you’ll pass tons of gorgeous scenery along the way.
More information and directions here.
Carlyle Lake/Facebook
This paved trail is great for riders of all skill levels. The path goes right over the Carlyle Lake Dam - an experience you shouldn’t miss!
More information and directions here.
Marcey Kaye Kolb/Facebook
Poplar Creek Trail might be located in Cook County, but you’d never know it’s so close to Chicago! The 9.5 mile loop takes riders through Poplar Creek Forest Preserve.
More information and directions here.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy/Facebook
This trail is broken into two parts: the more urban paved southern path and the northern route, which takes you through small towns. The scenery changes many times throughout the ride, so you’ll remain interested and excited the whole time!
More information and directions here.
Myron Dierks/Facebook
Rend Lake is one of the natural wonders of southern Illinois, making this bike path a popular destination. Gear up to ride over 20 miles or make a plan for a shorter trip - either way, it’ll be beautiful!
More information and directions here.
Galena
This 4.5 mile trail is full of natural beauty. It’s built on an old railroad line, and you can enjoy limestone bluffs and wetlands along the way.
More information and directions here.
For more outdoor fun, here are 10 Easy Hikes to Add to Your Outdoor Bucket List in Illinois.
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