Great Western Trail – View of Fabyan Windmill loop from Elgin

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Great Western Trail – View of Fabyan Windmill loop from Elgin

Hard

4.8

(2232)

11,649

riders

Great Western Trail – View of Fabyan Windmill loop from Elgin

05:22

87.8km

290m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

James "Pate" Philip State Park

Fabyan Forest Preserve

Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

19.3 km

Great Western Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Once the railbed of the Chicago Great Western Railroad, the Great Western Trail is now a lovely, mostly flat ride on a surface of crushed limestone dust.

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22.5 km

Timber Ridge Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Timber Ridge Trail connects the Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch with the Great Western Trail. This smooth, paved path runs past Kline Creek Farm and Timber Lake.

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34.2 km

St. James Farm Preserve

Nature Reserve

60.6 km

Fox River Trail at Clark Island Recreation Area

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Fox River Trail (FRT) follows the paths of three former railroads: the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin; the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric; and the Chicago & North Western. …

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64.3 km

View of Fabyan Windmill

Highlight • Monument

The Fabyan Windmill is an authentic Dutch windmill still in operation. It is a structure dating from about 1950 and is located on what was the property of Colonel George …

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67.2 km

Riverside Park (Buie Park)

Highlight • Rest Area

This park sits at the juncture of the Fox River Trail (which runs north and south along the river) and a spur of the long-distance Illinois Prairie Path, which you …

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68.4 km

Fox River Trail (FRT)

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This paved trail winds along the Fox River, providing a stunning view of the water, with plenty of break points along the way. French explorers, missionaries, and traders built their …

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74.2 km

Norton Woods

Highlight • Forest

As you approach the Red Gate Trail intersection with the Fox River Trail by Norton Creek as it flows into the Fox River, you cross Norton Woods. Near Fox River …

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74.6 km

Fox River Bluff Forest Preserve

Nature Reserve

78.1 km

Fox River Trail (railway bridge view)

Highlight • Bridge

The reflection of the classic stone brick railway bridge on the Fox River on a still day is beautiful, with a backdrop of green mixed trees. A lovely spot to …

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