Explore the best rated trails in Pekin, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Constitution Trail & Historic Route 66 Trail and El Paso Walking Trail . With more than 7 trails covering 120 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I walked the whole trail this past Saturday, starting in Toulon and heading south(ish) to Peoria. From a pedestrian perspective, this is two distinct trails.
From Toulon to Alta is a crushed limestone rail trail which runs mostly through farmland. Large portions of it pass through a beautiful tunnel of trees. Each town involves a short road walk, which offer good options for snacks etc. I'd certainly walk this 25 miles again.
From Alta to the waterfront in Peoria is a paved interurban trail that spends lots of time in suburban back yards. If you like miles of fences, apartments, etc, this section is for you. The trail is signed in this section, but I still found myself referring to a GPS map to make sure I was on track. The last several miles (heading south) are relatively steeply downhill to the waterfront. I would not walk this section again.
This is a real nice trail, but at times it’s more like a sidewalk than a bike trail. There are a lot of pedestrians and many many crosswalks. The trail ends in several different places so it’s a little bit confusing. This is more of a trail system than it is one trail. The trails are in pretty good shape but some of the more lonely stretches there was some broken glass. lonely stretches, have broken glass and things on them so you really need to know where you are going.
Trail is well marked and maintained . Even though I rode this trail right after a thunder storm, it was still usable. I was impressed with the natural drainage . The tree coverage was beautiful. I hope to return in the fall !
We started the trail in Williamsville since it was so close to the I-55 exit. We parked at Williamsville High School and walked 2 blocks to the path. The town is adorable! The path was fabulous! Well maintained. Flat, no hills. Great asphalt! Part of the path is along farms and a rail road track. I-55 is on the other side of the rail road track. You can see and hear it but it is not bothersome. The other part of the path is wooded with a lake and amid some beautiful big homes. The trail head has ample parking and a clean out house. Path is half shaded and half sun.
Rode this trail yesterday from central Bloomington to where it ends north of Towanda. Trail is in very good condition and easy to ride. I felt safe along the trail - it is far enough away from the old Route 66 Hwy. which was a plus! There are ample stopping/resting points along the way if needed. Now this trail needs to be completed all the way to Lexington and northward from there! ¿
Rose e-bikes from Alta to Wyoming. Ran out of power on way back, but worth the trip and experience.
Amazing path and trees, best foliage from late spring to early fall
Found this to be a beautiful trail for easy riding. Very nice parking lot at Sherman Trailhead. Scenic wooded areas open up to beautiful farmland views along the trail as one gets closer to Williamsville. While in Williamsville can ride a bit further into town and hop on another trail which starts at the high school and meanders along a residential areas to the lake. Can ride around the lake which is beautiful!
Gorgeous scenery. Like I’m not even in Illinois, my new favorite trail, it’s very smooth and wide. My only gripe (besides people not cleaning up their dog’s poop) is no water fountains. There’s plenty of neighborhoods & other areas that could get water to the trail. Not everyone bikes and can carry lots of water. I went for a 20 mile run and the water fountain@ Stuart Park was off. Ran out of water at 15 miles. Not one trail in this town has any access to water. I almost stopped at someone’s house to ask if they could refill my water bottles.
We started at the south end, from Centennial park. The first 1.5 miles are mostly in the open with a few road crossings and not much shade, but after that it is a beautiful shaded trail. Nice bridges along the way. Highly recommended.
This trail is in great shape. Easy riding and cute little photo ops along the way. Another plus-this is close enough to hop on from the Constitution Trail.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
