Right in Our Region
5 Family-Friendly Bike Trail Adventures W
hy drive around the Fox River Valley when you can bike it instead? Several long-distance trails connect our communities and provide a great source of exercise for the whole family.
Fox River Bike Trail
Route: 40 miles from McHenry County border in Algonquin to Aurora Travel the length of Kane County and pass through nine downtown business districts, all while taking in amazing views of the Fox River. The trail is built mostly along former rail lines, where the path is paved and the riding is easy. The trail also provides glimpses of the Fox River and several forest preserves, including Fox River Shores in Carpentersville. Around Elgin, riders enjoy taking photos at landmarks like Pratt’s Castle
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and the Fox River Trolley Museum. Picnic spots dot the trail, although many bikers choose to dine and rest within downtown business districts. Near St. Charles and Geneva, the trail passes public parks, bike stores and fishing spots.
Prairie Trail
Route: 26 miles from downtown Algonquin to Wisconsin state line This trail meets the Fox River Trail in Algonquin and passes through quiet prairies, farmland and four downtown business districts on its way to Wisconsin. Because it’s built mostly along an old rail line, this trail is relatively easygoing for riders of all skills – except a particularly hilly stretch at the north end of Crystal Lake, in the Sterne’s Woods preserve. About 18 miles of the Prairie Trail,
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Fox River Trail
from McHenry to Algonquin, are paved asphalt. Between McHenry and the state line, the trail is crushed limestone. Along this stretch, riders pass through two quiet forest preserves. The largest, Glacial Park, encompasses 3,400 acres of wild prairie, savanna and marsh. At the state line, the North Branch preserve meets a shorter trail that leads toward Hebron. Restrooms, parking and water pumps are located at several points along the Prairie Path, particularly within the nature preserves.
(Geneva Chamber photo)
By Chris Linden, executive editor
