Busse Woods Paved Trail – Busse Woods Reservoir Bridge loop from Arlington Heights
Busse Woods Paved Trail – Busse Woods Reservoir Bridge loop from Arlington Heights
4.5
(8008)
18,932
riders
Busse Woods Paved Trail – Busse Woods Reservoir Bridge loop from Arlington Heights
01:36
33.5km
70m
Road cycling
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 1, 2026
Tips
Temporary access restrictions
Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.
After 17.4 km for 76 m
Open: • sunrise-sunset (otherwise closed)
Waypoints
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
11.3 km
Bridge over Salt Creek
Highlight • Bridge
Tip by
11.4 km
Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods)
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
11.7 km
Busse Woods Paved Trail
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Tip by
15.4 km
Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods)
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
19.7 km
Busse Woods Reservoir Bridge
Highlight (Segment) • Bridge
Tip by
19.8 km
Bridge over Connecting Canal
Highlight • Bridge
Tip by
21.2 km
Busse Lake — North and Main Pools
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
21.9 km
Pedestrian Bridge Over East Higgins Road
Highlight • Bridge
Tip by
33.5 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
21.9 km
7.59 km
3.00 km
831 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
20.1 km
13.1 km
303 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Today
Saturday 27 June
23°C
15°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Description
If you're looking for a reliable and enjoyable road cycling route in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, the Busse Woods Paved Trail – Busse Woods Reservoir Bridge loop from Arlington Heights is one of the most popular routes for good reason. This easy 20.8-mile (33.5 km) ride, with a gentle 235 feet (72 metres) of elevation gain, can be completed in about 1 hour and 36 minutes, making it perfect for a relaxed outing or a consistent training spin. It's an ideal choice for cyclists of all levels seeking a smooth, uninterrupted ride close to Arlington Heights.
What to expect on Busse Woods Paved Trail – Busse Woods Reservoir Bridge loop from Arlington Heights
This route offers a journey through varied natural scenery, transitioning from mature hardwood forests to open meadows, marshlands, and grasslands. A major highlight is the picturesque Busse Lake, also known as Busse Reservoir, which provides expansive water views as you cycle. Keep an eye out on the eastern side of the preserve for the 17-acre pasture, home to a unique herd of elk. The trail's continuous paved surface and minimal elevation changes mean you can focus on enjoying the ride and the diverse wildlife, making it suitable for anyone looking for an accessible and scenic cycling experience.
Planning your visit
The Busse Woods Paved Trail is easily accessible with multiple parking lots available throughout the preserve. While the trail is well-maintained and designed for continuous cycling thanks to overpass bridges, it can get very crowded, especially on weekends and during peak times. To ensure a more peaceful ride, consider visiting on a weekday or arriving early in the morning. Remember that it's a multi-use trail, so be prepared to share the path with walkers, runners, and rollerbladers, and always yield to other users.
Trail details
- Distance: 20.8 miles (33.5 km)
- Elevation gain: 235 feet (72 metres)
- Difficulty: easy
- Estimated time: 1 hours and 36 minutes
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