Trail Distance: 20.1 Miles
Trail Surface: Blacktop
Type of Use: Tour or Mountain
Towns:  Chicago, Lincolnwood, Skokie, Morton Grove, Glenview,Northfield, Northbrook, Glencoe
County: Cook
Intensity of Use: Heavy
Setting: Open Spaces & Wooded, winding along North Branch of ChicagoRiver
Connecting Trails: This trail will eventually connect with the Green BayBicycle Trail on the north end. You could take Peterson Ave. east to connect with the LakeFront Trail.
Directions for Parking:
1. Chicago Botanic Garden (North Trailhead) I-94 Edens Expy. Exit east onLake-Cook Road (County Line Road)
2. Parking at all the rest stops/points of interest.
3. Whealan Pool (South Trailhead)
A. I-94 exit west on Peterson Avenue/Caldwell intersection. Go west onDevon Avenue. Directly east of the Milwaukee Avenue intersection, turn north into WhealanPool Forest Preserve Entrance and park.
B. I-90, exit north on Harlem Ave. Turn east on Devon Avenue. Directlyeast of Milwaukee Avenue intersection on the north side of Devon is the Whealan PoolForest Preserve Entrance.
Trail Map:

Rider's Comments:  One of the more popular trails in the area. Itfollows the north branch of the Chicago River and is usually winding through one forestpreserve or another. There are a few tricky crossings of major cross streets, but for themost part the trail is quite scenic and enjoyable. The Chicago Botanic Gardens at thenorth end should not be missed. If you start the trail from the south end and head northand want to dine at the Garden, please do so. There are many other overheated bikersjoining you in the cafeteria line. Touhy Avenue intersection is extremely dangerous. Thepath narrows, grooved ruts between the sidewalk, curb and road topple many bicyclers. Weobserved two near bike-on-bike collisions at Touhy Avenue. Try walking your bike across!It is easy to take the wrong fork between Lake and Winnetka Roads. One dead ends atWinnetka Road You can take either side of the loop north of Willow Road

For Detailed Information Contact:
Strasbourg accommodationForest Preserve District of Cook County
536 N. Harlem Ave.
River Forest, IL 60305
312-261-8400

Do you have rider comments or new trails?  If so, email bikeillinois@jawa.org
This page was last revised at: Tuesday, September 07, 1999 05:08:58 PM

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