Great Western Trail – Herrick Lake loop from Bartlett

Bike touring routes & trails

Great Western Trail – Herrick Lake loop from Bartlett

Moderate

3.2

(9)

riders

Great Western Trail – Herrick Lake loop from Bartlett

04:58

81.4km

250m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. 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 3, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Herrick Lake Forest Preserve

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

6.72 km

View of the lake at West Branch Forest Preserve

Highlight • Viewpoint

West Branch Forest Preserve, a 713-acre area comprised of meadows, wetlands, forests, and prairies, offers trails, fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing, and picnic areas. Open from one hour after sunrise to …

Tip by

8.10 km

West Branch Forest Preserve

Nature Reserve

12.1 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.

Tip by

31.6 km

Illinois Prairie Path (Grand Illinois Trail)

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Illinois Prairie Path and Grand Illinois Trail overlap here. Both long-distance trails are built primarily from crushed limestone dust, although they also go through stretches of concrete and asphalt …

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42.9 km

Rathje Park

Highlight • Rest Area

Rathje Park is a small, family-friend, local park that features open spaces, lakes, shaded areas, and paved trails, making it a good spot for a quick break or a brief ride.

Tip by

50.3 km

Herrick Lake

Highlight • Lake

Herrick Lake is a 22-acre reservoir in the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. The lake is most popular for fishing, and there is a path that circles around the waters, hugging the shore the entire time.

Tip by

51.8 km

Herrick Lake Forest Preserve

Highlight • Forest

The Herrick Lake Forest Preserve features a handful of trails that wind through the wetland, meadow, and forest areas in the preserve's boundaries. You can actually access the trails from …

Tip by

62.1 km