Explore the best rated trails in Belvidere, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Tall Grass Greenway Trail and Grove Road Trail . With more than 107 trails covering 966 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 completed this trail and absolutely loved the Lake County side. It’s about 32 miles long and nice, peaceful, ride. Once you enter Cook County, it’s very rough, tough and rocky ride. Extremely uncomfortable ride. Will not do that section again but will do Lake County side.
Lots of shade along the whole trail and the scenery is nice. Also, there's not a lot of people, so it's usually a really peaceful ride.
Segment starting at North Avenue then up to Lawrence Avenue is still very rough: dirt, rocks and roots abound so prepare for a mostly bone-jarring ride. Will be muddy and can be flooded after rains-especially in the tunnels. There is a dangerous road crossing at Irving Park Road. The county has future plans to improve this segment. Starting at Lawrence there is a new crushed stone path (with bridges over Lawrence and the Kennedy X-way) that goes all the way north to Tuohy where the pre-existing trailbed continues.
Tried biking from Monticello to New Glarus to get some lunch. Didn’t last long due to horrible trail conditions. Ended up riding back to Exeter Road and rode country roads to get to Badger State Trail. Very disappointing. I had great memories of riding the Sugar River Trail as a kid, now I’m worried about breaking a spike or bending a rim. Stay off unless you’re up to a rough ride, have lots of patience, a bike repair kit as well as a First Aid kit!
Cool trail, watch out for closure under 294 for construction. On the way down the trail we went around… on the way back we snuck through the construction zone given it was a Sunday. (Results may vary) ¿
If you are starting at Meyers Park (the first parking area at this end of the trail), it cuts off approximately 5 miles of the trail. It is also not labeled or have signage that states "Seven Waters Bike Trail" rather the signage states Racine Bike Trail System. At some intersections the signage is very poor and I needed to pull out google maps to figure out where the trail continued. Lots of street crossings, most not busy however you are on a semi busy road for about a mile until you pick up the trail again. There is a bike lane but not the whole part of this road.
Overall I was not impressed with this trail. It would be a good trail for exercise if you live close to it but not worth driving to from anywhere else.
Except for the bison herd, not much interesting to see here on this flat trail.
As noted, bring Real-ID for trail access. Also, check lab website (fnal.gov) for occasional closings. Wilson Hall building with restrooms is open on weekdays.
Rode the trail from New Glarus to Albany yesterday for 30 mile round trip. The trail needs some heavy duty repair like grading and a fresh layer of traffic bond. Not very suitable for a road bike ! The state really needs to fix it soon.
I loved how the trail was varied in scenery. Wooded, town, neighborhoods. We started in North Aurora, Il and went to South Elgin. During first 8 miles and of course the last 8 the asphalt was heaved frequently as much as 3-6 inches and the width of the trail. Riding a recumbent, the bumps are quite pronounced. Shortly after starting you come to a flight of stairs. There is a sign on a post on the left of the trail warning you. Just make a right through the parking lot and go to the street and go left in sidewalk to circumvent them.
Paved trail winds through forested areas along Salt Creek (trail can be flooded at times) with minimal on-street sections until north of Lake Street. From Lake Street to Busse Woods trail is either on-street or adjacent and passes through residential areas and industrial parks with little signage.
Starting on Leask Lane (at Butterfield Road) the trail skirts Rice Lake with some steep upward curves until the equestrian center (interesting buildings with history) then flattens out to go under Naperville Road. Along that section of trail on west side of tunnel, see the practice track and starting gate used to train the 1965 Kentucky Derby winner. Trail connects with several trails in the Herrick Lake preserve. Very little shade on most of the trails.
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