Chicagoland Trails

The Chicago Lakefront Trail is the backbone of cycling in the city -- 18.5 miles of paved path running along Lake Michigan from Ardmore Avenue on the north to 71st Street on the south. It connects more Chicago neighborhoods than any other trail and serves as the daily commute, training loop, and weekend ride for thousands of cyclists. The trail passes through Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Museum Campus, and the South Shore, with skyline views that remind you why people ride here. On summer weekends it's one of the busiest multi-use paths in the country.

The 606 is a favorite with city riders and pedestrians as it crosses several historic Chicago neighborhoods on the northwest side. Built on a former elevated rail line, the trail offers a unique perspective of the city while connecting communities like Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park. Beyond recreation, the 606 has helped reshape the fabric of this part of the city by linking neighborhoods and creating new public space.

The North Branch Trail follows the north branch of the Chicago River through a long corridor of forest preserves on the city's northwest side and into the northern suburbs. The paved trail offers miles of shaded riding away from traffic and is popular with commuters, recreational riders, and families. With connections to other forest preserve trails and regional routes, it provides one of the longest continuous car-free riding options in the Chicago area.

The Cal-Sag Trail is one of the newer additions to the regional trail network and has quickly become a favorite for longer paved rides through the southwest suburbs. When combined with the I&M Canal Trail and the Centennial Trail, riders can easily put together routes approaching 50 miles while spending very little time on the road. It's an important link in the growing trail system that connects the Palos area with communities further south and east.

The Palos Trail System is widely considered the crown jewel of mountain biking in the Chicagoland area, with miles of singletrack winding through the forest preserves southwest of the city. Riders come here for everything from flowing beginner trails to technical sections that challenge experienced mountain bikers. Beyond riding, the Palos area also offers camping, lakes, fishing, and miles of additional gravel and paved paths, making it one of the region's most complete outdoor recreation destinations.

The Centennial Trail is a paved multi-use trail that runs along the Des Plaines River corridor and serves as a smooth gateway to the region's longer canal trails. Through Willow Springs the trail parallels the historic I&M Canal before eventually merging with it in Romeoville. Riders often use the Centennial as a comfortable paved route that transitions into the crushed-limestone stretches of the I&M Canal Trail for longer rides south toward Lockport, Joliet, and beyond.

Waterfall Glen is a crushed-limestone loop surrounding Argonne National Laboratory and is a favorite among local riders, though it's often overlooked by visitors. While the loop itself isn't especially long, connecting Waterfall Glen with the I&M Canal Trail, nearby quiet roads, and short stretches of the Palos trail system can create an incredibly varied ride. Within a small radius riders can piece together scenic gravel, pavement, and singletrack for surprisingly big mileage and exploration.

The I&M Canal Trail follows the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal corridor and runs through a chain of trail towns southwest of Chicago. It's a flat crushed-limestone trail perfect for long rides, bike touring, and exploring the region's canal history. The trail is also connected to the Route 66 corridor, and riders from around the world often begin or finish their Route 66 cycling journey along this stretch.

The Fox River Trail runs along the Fox River through a string of western suburban downtowns, connecting Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and Elgin. It's one of the most popular paved trails in the western suburbs, with easy access to shops, restaurants, and parks along the way. Riders use it for everything from casual family rides to longer north-south connections through the Fox Valley.