Explore the best rated trails in Zion, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the New Berlin Recreation Trail and City of Franklin Hike and Bike Trail (Route of the Badger) . With more than 98 trails covering 1025 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.
We rode from the parking lot near the corner of West Devon and N. Milwaukee in Norwood Park East up to the Chicago Botanic Garden and back, a total of just under 32 miles. The trail was in excellent condition--almost perfect asphalt surface, curvy, gentle hills and very shady. Most of the road crossings were quite easy--well regulated with lights or signage. We rode mid-day on a Friday in mid-May and there were only a few people on the trail (and one horse in the equestrian trail next to the bike/walk trail). We were on Class 1 e-bikes, following the 15mph speed limit, but did find that lots of people were speeding past us. The trail goes by many parks that include bathrooms and drinkable water.
We had planned to have lunch at the CBG, but found we'd have to buy tickets to enter ($23 pp). Apparently 3 years or so ago, you could get in for free and only had to pay for parking, as I had read in these reviews. We didn't have time to explore the garden so we ended up buying one ticket so one person could go in and purchase lunch for both us--we were hungry and did not want to ride busy roads to get to fast food places. There was a good picnic area by the parking lot where we could have our lunch.
CBG was a beautiful destination--you can ride through the perimeter of the garden with out buying a ticket. The Skokie Lagoon was also a wonderful natural area--full of deer and birds. I'd highly recommend this ride on the North Branch Trail if you're on Chicago's North Side.
Did the trail yesterday with my wife. Nice traffic bond trail with lots of shade and lots of dog poo left by unscrupulous pet owners . Why wreck this trail because you're too lazy to pick up after yourself . The world is not your toilet.
Nice ride, but many buckles in the pavement. Hang on tight!
Nice trail crossing Hwy 20 is kind of a pain but south of that it is nice. It goes to Hwy KR which is a lot further than the map shows. You can even go to Petrified Springs by taking the pathway that runs parallel to Hwy 31.
Beautiful but beware of pollen.
Be aware. Signage not good 1st part of south end (where we began).
Trail Link map + GPS very helpful. Since signs are more in keeping w/ biking, than nose on phone, a suggestion: At decision points pls post signs, rather than down the road when you’ve luckily made a correct turn. Once through that the South end chains thru parks, many charming bridges over The Root River. North end signage was elusive too. We park near Zoo, biked along shore line, cut West to pick up trail just west of Main Street bridge and enjoyed 90% of the ride back toward North/car. A leisurely and scenic ride except for the navigation guessing game at beginning and end.
We rode this trail along with the Stone Bridge Trail. The asphalt needs some repair but still a nice trail.
The Green Bay trail is nicely maintained but as others have mentioned the signs for how to keep the trail when going through residential areas is confusing. We found ourselves at one point randomly biking through Highland Park.
Busse Forest Nature Preserve is a slice of tranquility completely surrounded by the chaos of highways and the hectic, hurry up conditions of suburbia. It's like a mini Central Park, but in the burbs of Chicago. If I was fortunate to have something like this near my home in my metropolis of southern California I'd be hiking, biking, or fishing it every day!
Since I as staying at the Hampton Inn in Schaumberg, I simply rode my bike down the Schaumberg Bikeway alongside Woodfield Road for about a half mile to access the park.
It was shortly after sunrise on a chilly weekday morning in early October as I entered the serenity of the preserve and its forests, lakes, and large grassy areas. I was joined by dog walkers, joggers, fishermen, bicyclists, a rollerblader, and hundreds of geese.
The treelined paths were carpeted with golden leaves, and many large flocks of geese called many of the grassy areas home. I was fortunate enough to see and hear a massive bull elk making its wailing, bugle-like call in an attempt to entice two cows he was near to get cozy with him.
All in all, Busse Woods Trail is a delightful system of curvy trails, dense woods, large swaths of lawn, and beautiful lakes. What a precious gem for the communities of the burbs and this lucky visitor from SoCal!
On a perfect weekday morning in early October I experienced by bicycle the South Shore portion of the Oak Leaf Trail.
I parked in the Grant Park Beach parking lot in South Milwaukee and headed north to Cupertino Park and then back, a distance of about twelve miles. Even though it was such a short ride it took me over two hours since I had to frequently stop for the awesome photo ops. The views of the lake and the Milwaukee skyline are sensational!
The trail is obviously beloved by the community. Not only were there plenty of other bicyclists, but there were a tremendous amount of friendly pedestrians walking their dogs or getting their steps in, especially in Bay View Park.
The South Shore portion of the trail has so much to offer: woods, tree lined streets with charming homes, wildflowers, squirrels, geese, shoreline, lots of curves, five parks, yachts, and plenty of benches to take in the marvelous views of Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline. Besides the lake views, I especially enjoyed the curvy trail covered in golden leaves through the woods of Grant Park.
TWO WORDS OF WARNING:
1) There are hills.
2) There are cracked and uplifted portions of trail through the woods of Grant Park due to tree roots. They will effectively work like speed bumps and slow you down a bit.
However, all in all, this is an enjoyable ride and certainly worthy of your time and five stars!
This trail was actually a former C&NW railway that served Lake Geneva and terminated in Williams Bay. Service to Williams Bay started in 1888 and ended in 1965. Service to Lake Geneva ended in 1975. Thanks to Maxine Thoorsell for starting the conversion of turning this former railway into a nature trail. It is an easy grass covered walk and the trail is 1.7 miles in length. You can also access the trail at the boat launch to the west...behind the barn. A separate trail that is part of this former railway extends from Williams Bay Northeast up to Hwy 50 in the Kishwaukeetoe Conservancy
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