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 1027 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.
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.
In rough shape for cycling. The trail is a mishmash of gravel, crushed or deteriorating rocks/asphalt.
If it were crushed limestone that would be a great improvement. It doesn’t have to be paved over to make it better.
It’s too bad because it’s a nice quiet ride that isn’t too long if you want a quick ride after dinner etc.
Nice, peaceful, perfect weather Monday morning ride. There is a tree laying over the trail @ 5.3 miles from Cottage Grove. Had to duck low, but was able to ride under it on the side that is still off the ground. No other issues for this part of the trail. Very enjoyable trail.
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.
We use this trail all the time. Flooded portion was about 100 feet long by 1 foot deep in places. Shoes got very wet as we pedaled through it. Ducks were happy. Usually the puddle is not this deep and long but we’ve had a lot of rain lately.
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.
No complaints. Just a short paved trail.
Ride at your own risk is correct. This trail is not maintained. Started over by Muskego county park. It gets a little better as you go towards the Franklin bike and bike trail but it's nothing to go out of your way for.
Biking between Sycamore and Lily Lake the trail is long, straight and flat - if that’s your kind of thing. Just lock your wheel straight and go. Trees offer protection from the sun and a nice farmland setting to view along the way, but could be monotonous for some. Trail parallels Route 64 on this section so there is some road noise, but no busy streets to cross. The crushed limestone is in great condition making for a nice relaxing ride. We much preferred the eastern end from Lily Lake to St Charles, but we started to encounter more trail traffic. A foray into Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve is worthwhile.
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