This trail winds for just over 17 miles through Elkhart and
LaGrange counties, linking small towns, agricultural areas and
one of Indiana’s largest Amish communities. The route also
travels through a thick forest of maple and oak trees and along
a kaleidoscope of wildflowers with breathtaking views.
•
Length: 17.6 miles
Surface: Asphalt, crushed stone
Uses: Biking, walking, inline skating, cross-country skiing;
wheelchair accessible
Indiana
PUMPKINVINE NATURE TRAIL
This 19-mile trail in Chicago provides exceptional cityscape
views and travels by a multitude of iconic landmarks. In addition
to the Lake Michigan waterfront, the trail passes by several
museums, Lincoln Park and its famous zoo, Soldier Field, Navy
Pier and a handful of harbors.
•
Length: 19 miles
Surfaces: Asphalt, concrete
Uses: Biking, walking, inline skating; wheelchair accessible
Illinois
CHICAGO LAKEFRONT TRAIL
Creating a loop decorated with art around the town of Decorah,
this trail offers unique hillside scenery, a picnic area and trestle
bridge, and prime fishing. Two popular features are the Decorah
Fish Hatchery and a six-foot-wide bald eagle nest maintained by
the Raptor Resource Project.
•
Length: 11 miles
Surface: Asphalt, concrete
Uses: Biking, walking, inline skating, fishing, cross-country skiing;
wheelchair accessible
Iowa
TROUT RUN TRAIL
OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM LEFT: FLICKR.COM/CAIRO XL5, CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY/2.0; COURTESY COLUMBIA PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT. THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: JOHN YODER; KATIE GUERIN/RTC; MILO BATEMAN/RTC
Wisconsin
Red Cedar State Trail
COUNTIES:
Dunn, Eau Claire
ROUTE:
Menomonie > Dunnville
Wildlife Area
LENGTH:
14.5miles (crushed stone)
CONNECTS TO:
Chippewa River State
Trail
HIGHLIGHTS:
Dunnville State Wildlife
Area; scenic Red Cedar River valley
Ohio
Alum Creek Greenway Trail
COUNTY:
Franklin
ROUTE:
Westerville > Groveport
LENGTH
:
22.4 miles (asphalt)
CONNECTS TO:
Blacklick Creek
Greenway Trail; Westerville B&W
system. Part of developing Ohio to
Erie Trail.
HIGHLIGHTS:
One of the longest
trails in central Ohio; Innis Park,
Wolfe Park and Three Creeks Metro
Park; Ohio Dominican University
Michigan
Macomb Orchard Trail
COUNTY:
Macomb
ROUTE
: Shelby Township > Richmond
LENGTH
:
23.5 miles (asphalt,
concrete)
CONNECTS TO:
Clinton River Trail,
Paint Creek Trail
HIGHLIGHTS:
Clinton River; urban
landscape to orchards and scenic
countryside
Iowa
Raccoon River Valley Trail
COUNTIES:
Dallas, Greene, Guthrie, Polk
ROUTE:
Jefferson > Clive
LENGTH:
88.1 miles (asphalt, concrete)
CONNECTS TO:
Clive Greenbelt Trail
HIGHLIGHTS:
Ceramic/steel pergola
arbor art installation (est. completion
2017), future connection to the High
Trestle Trail, known for its LED art
installation “From Here to There”
Wisconsin
Badger State Trail
COUNTIES
: Dane, Green
ROUTE:
Madison > Wisconsin/Illinois
State Line
LENGTH:
40 miles (asphalt, crushed
stone)
CONNECTS TO:
Jane Addams Trail,
Cheese Country Recreation Trail
(nearby), Sugar River State Trail,
Southwest Commuter Path
HIGHLIGHTS:
Charming small towns,
1,200-foot-long, nearly 120-year-
old Stewart Tunnel—flashlights
recommended!
WINTER 2017 RAILS TO TRAILS
7
B E S T O F