Explore the best rated trails in Bradley, IL. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail and Tall Grass Greenway Trail. With more than 59 trails covering 4390 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Warning the underpass at 294 is closed for construction on 294. I rode 6/10/2023. The Chicago Forest Preseve, Salt Creek Trail web site had a notice the underpass work would be complete 6/9/2023. Oops. Guess the estimate was off... by a few YEARS!
We parked at Turtlehead Lake parking lot--very easy to find from the directions on Trail Link--and headed south (turning left out of the lot). The loop was very scenic and mostly well-marked, although we did miss the sharp left-hand turn at the south end of the loop. Some hills, though not too difficult. More sun than shade (beware of an August ride). A bit of rough pavement. Pretty lakes to end the ride.
The map needs an update, the trail now goes all the way to crown point
Trail is in great condition, hardly any bumps and just a small hill climb east of the trout farm.
It can get congested on weekends/holidays.
Very scenic views with forested and open areas.
It is about a 5-mile round trip from Royce Road to Indian Boundary Park.
There is a 2 mile connecting loop from the trout farm that goes around Whalon Lake.
Looked this up spontaneously and it was just a beautiful ride! Perfect date for my husband and I!
Perfect if you’re looking for a leisurely ride. Paved trails. Great for beginners. Several bridges to cross in the woods. You have to cross a few busy streets but nothing to bad. We did about a 10 mile loop on the red trail starting by Arrowhead Lake.
Today, we rode from Dean Nature Sanctuary to the 7-11 just south of Busse Woods and back. About 34 miles, from the parking lot of the Sanctuary. Good option during the 294 construction that has the path closed at that location. Some parts of the Salt Creek path are very bumpy.
Rode from hammel woods (on black road) north to trailhead at sunset park in plainfield then south back through woods to trailhead at jefferson street in shorewood, about 10 miles roundtrip.
North of black road the asphalt pavement is flat and in excellent shape. Trail goes from the woods parking lot then north under black road and through a wide prairie along the river with no shade. South of black road the trail winds through the woods with very little slope and asphalt pavement is in good shape. Easy riding all the way.
I lived in the area for 34 years and rode this trail on a regular basis. It was always the most ignored and neglected of the FPDCC trails. Today I stopped by for Trail Opening/Earth Day for a short hike and found that this trail had finally been repaved! Can’t wait to enjoy the smooth surface with my bike.
Surprised to see this amazing trail that has great bed and breakfasts along it is not noted as part of the Great American Rail Trail. It sure would help demonstrate more GART completion if it was.
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