Explore the best rated trails in Wilmette, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail and Tall Grass Greenway Trail . With more than 127 trails covering 4876 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.
Trail is all crushed stone until near Elgin along the Fox River and mostly shaded with long stretches between road crossings. Passes through several forest preserves and uses tunnels or bridges when crossing major highways. Trail website at ipp.org has good maps of the entire network.
Go here to sit and observe, to meditate. It’s so close but a world away. Leave the city white noise behind. Watch the water fowl. I stop here at the end of my lakefront bike rides.
The trail was smooth and short. It is a little noisy while riding because 55 expressway, but the other side near turtle lake & the park is quiet and peaceful.
Traveled roundtrip from 135th St (Romeo Rd). then south to Joliet at the Ironworks. Because the trail follows the old I&M canal there are no steep grades. Some parts in Lockport are paved but most of the trail is crushed limestone with few other trail users outside the cities. There are numerous markers all along the trail that explain the history of the canal and the surrounding area.
Rode this trail 7/6/24 and found it disappointing. Rode from mile 3.0 to 15.0 and back. The trail had sections of too deep gravel challenging traction. The entire route had loose stones and some ruts.
Nice trail with cool bridge over Fox River. However, came across two viaducts west of the river with homeless people literally doing drugs as I rode through. I didn’t feel very safe.
The section from Bruce Road to the 355 tollway is gravel (not crushed limestone) and rather rough. The remainder of the trail westward is crushed limestone and is very scenic. At the 355 tunnel, you can head north on the Veterans Memorial trail which is asphalt and in excellent shape, super smooth with no annoying cracks. Night and day difference from the start of this trail.
5 mile circle of Wolf Lake and Lake George . The 3.5 miles along Wolf Lake are lovely. The West side goes parallel to Toll Road but you are mostly hidden by reeds and brush. Can extend up to Lake Michigan for 1 mile lake front ride. Makes over all ride about 8 or 9 miles. Lots of parking at Hammond Wolf Lakefront.
Excellent visit for the second time we were able to make this trip from Joliet to Peru, it was wonderful, it is a safe road I think it lacks some maintenance but in general it is a very good, recommendable
Did this ride starting at the East end. Loved the views and the trail was well maintained. I do wish the connection through Burlington as more direct or better signed.
Biked this trail yesterday to complete a loop with the Lake Michigan pathway. The trail itself is enjoyable…getting out your phone to figure out where you are is not! The trail does have signs, but all signs are located in places where you don’t need help. I actually starting laughing every time I saw a sign with the arrow pointing forward on a straightaway. Almost every time I had to make a decision, there was no sign anywhere! Poor planning.
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
