The best cycling routes in Illinois

Illinois offers a wide array of touring cycling routes, with over 1000 options available. These routes cater to various skill levels: approximately 650 are considered easy, around 350 are moderate, and about 25 are more difficult, ensuring there's a suitable ride for everyone.

Yes, Illinois is well-suited for families and beginners, with over 650 easy touring cycling routes. A great option is the MCT Goshen Trail, which is 9.3 miles long and leads through suburban and natural areas. Another accessible choice is the Busse Woods Red Loop Trail, offering a nearly 13-mile looped path through a forest preserve.

For those seeking longer adventures, Illinois boasts several extensive routes. The North Branch Trail and Botanic Garden Loop offers a challenging 58-mile ride. Beyond individual routes, the state is home to the 535-mile Grand Illinois Trail, connecting Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River, and is also part of the Great American Rail-Trail and U.S. Bicycle Route 76.

Absolutely. While primarily known for hiking, the region around Starved Rock State Park offers dramatic landscapes with waterfalls and canyons. You can explore nearby cycling routes that provide access to this area's natural beauty. Notable highlights include La Salle Canyon Waterfall, Cascade Falls, and Lake Falls.

Many routes in Illinois provide picturesque water views. The Lakefront Trail in Chicago offers stunning vistas of Lake Michigan and the city skyline. Further afield, the Fox River Trail winds through forest preserves and communities along the Fox River, while the Vadalabene Bike Trail follows the Illinois River, offering serene views.

Illinois offers diverse terrain. Many routes, especially the extensive rail-to-trails like the Illinois Prairie Path, are generally flat and smooth, ideal for touring. You'll find paths through expansive prairies, wetlands, and along river valleys. In Southern Illinois, the landscape shifts to rolling hills and forested areas, particularly around the Shawnee National Forest, offering a different kind of challenge and scenery.

Yes, Illinois features several circular routes. The Chicago Lakefront and Route 66 Loop is an easy 15.6-mile option that combines urban scenery with historical context. The Busse Woods Red Loop Trail also provides a convenient circular path through a natural setting.

The touring cycling routes in Illinois are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 1600 reviews. Cyclists often praise the well-maintained, generally flat rail-to-trails, the diverse scenery ranging from urban waterfronts to tranquil prairies and river valleys, and the accessibility for various skill levels.

Definitely. The Lakefront Trail in Chicago is a prime example, providing spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the iconic city skyline. The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail) in Chicago also offers an elevated urban cycling experience on a former rail line, connecting neighborhoods and parks.

Many multi-use trails in Illinois are dog-friendly, provided your dog is on a leash and you follow local regulations regarding waste disposal. It's always best to check specific trail rules before heading out, but generally, the extensive rail-to-trail network and paths through forest preserves welcome leashed dogs.

Illinois offers a mix of natural and man-made landmarks. Along routes in Chicago, you might pass by Buckingham Fountain, Wrigley Square & Millennium Monument, or the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. In natural settings, areas like Starved Rock offer dramatic geological formations.

Yes, many of Illinois's routes, especially those through forest preserves, wetlands, and along rivers, offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Trails like the Rend Lake Bike Trail, which encircles the lake through prairies, wetlands, and woods, or the Kankakee River Trail, are great for spotting local fauna and birdlife.