Bicycling
Tip: Use our interactive map 
to locate specific bike trails!
Riding the trails by bicycle is a great 
way to enjoy the outdoors, experience nature up close and get some exercise. Over 30 miles of trails are offered throughout the county that serve not only as recreational amenities, but as valuable resources that link communities, schools and neighborhoods.
The Prairie Trail
printable map
The Prairie Trail is a 26-mile path that begins at the McHenry County line south of Algonquin and runs north to the Wisconsin border. The trail follows what was once a Chicago and Northwestern rail line, transforming and recycling one transportation mode for another. Between the Kane County line and Route 14 in Crystal Lake, the trail is built on an abandoned rail corridor. From Route 14 north to Ringwood, the trail is built adjacent to an active rail line, making it one of the country’s longest trails along an active rail corridor.
The Prairie Trail connects eight McHenry County communities, including Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Prairie Grove, McHenry, McCullom Lake, Ringwood, and Richmond. Highlights along the trail include the a picturesque view of the Fox River, Larsen Prairie an Illinois State Nature Preserve, School District 47 Diverse City Prairie, Crystal Lake Park District’s Sterne’s Woods, City of McHenry’s Whispering Oaks Park and Peterson Park and MCCD’s 3300-acre Glacial Park.
The H.U.M. Trailprintable map
The H.U.M. Trail conceptually connects the communities of Huntley, Union, and Marengo. Phase I of the trail was completed in 2006 that includes a 3.5-mile trail connection that runs NE of Route 20 from East Street in Marengo to Main Street in Union. Once completed, the trail will run 17 miles from the Boone County line to Huntley, Illinois.
Hebron Trail
The Hebron Trail is a 2.1-mile trail that runs from Church St. in Hebron to Burgett Rd. Construction of a 1.5-mile link to the Prairie Trail is currently being planned. In addition, Hebron Township’s Settler’s Park will also have access t
o the Hebron Trail system.
The Hebron Trail was at one time the Kenosha Division Railroad. Constructed in 1860, the K.D. line ran from Kenosha, Wisconsin to Rockford, Illinois. In addition to passenger service, the railroad managed mail, newspapers, milk, express and freight. The K.D. made it possible for passengers to leave in the morning, spend a day in Chicago and return the same evening. After serving the Hebron community for 79 years, the K.D. made her final run in 1939.
Crystal Lake to Woodstock Trail
Phase I - Will begin the Spring of 2009 and be completed by early fall 2009. This 2 mile trail will run from Oak St in Crystal Lake to McHenry County College along a Com-Ed right-of-way. future stages, that are not yet funded, will extend the trail 7.5 miles from the Prairie Trail in Crystal Lake thru Veterans Acres to the intersection of Lake Ave. and Route 47 in Woodstock. Click here for Phase I map.
Stone Mill Trail
The trail extends from Lawrence Rd. in Harvard to Maxon Rd. in Chemung. Historically, a saw mill, grist mill and then a flour mill all existed on the Chemung end of the trail dating back to 1845. Local historical accounts stated, “In 1873 George Sinderson, one of the most energetic and enterprising young businessmen of Chemung Township, bought the Chemung Mills. Each winter he made 800 barrels of the finest buckwheat flour around.”
The Stone Mill trail provides a great recreational amenity to these two rural towns and provides a safe means of travel. The trail is funded in part by a $200,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, IL Bike Ways Program. Future phases of the trail will eventually connect Milky Way Park in Harvard to Boone County Conservation District’s Long Prairie Trail.
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