Trail Website: http://www.fpdcc.com/
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 Chicago
River
Connecting Trails: This trail will eventually connect with the Green Bay
Bicycle Trail on the north end. You could take Peterson Ave. east to connect with the
Lake
Front Trail.
Maintained By: Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Directions for Parking:
1. Chicago Botanic Garden (North Trailhead) I-94 Edens Expy. Exit east on
Lake-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 on
Devon Avenue. Directly east of the Milwaukee Avenue intersection, turn north into Whealan
Pool Forest Preserve Entrance and park.
B. I-90, exit north on Harlem Ave. Turn east on Devon Avenue. Directly
east of Milwaukee Avenue intersection on the north side of Devon is the Whealan Pool
Forest Preserve Entrance.
Hours of Operation: Sunrise to Sunset
Trail Map:
North Branch:
Skokie Division:
North BranchDivision:
Rider's Comments: One of the more popular trails in the area. It
follows the north branch of the Chicago River and is usually winding through one forest
preserve or another. There are a few tricky crossings of major cross streets, but for the
most part the trail is quite scenic and enjoyable. The Chicago Botanic Gardens at the
north end should not be missed. If you start the trail from the south end and head north
and want to dine at the Garden, please do so. There are many other overheated bikers
joining you in the cafeteria line. Touhy Avenue intersection is extremely dangerous. The
path narrows, grooved ruts between the sidewalk, curb and road topple many bicyclers. We
observed 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 at
Winnetka Road You can take either side of the loop north of Willow Road
For Detailed Information Contact:
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
536 N. Harlem Ave.
River Forest, IL 60305
312-261-8400
For Calendar of Events In Surrounding Communities Contact:
Chicago City Hall
121 N. LaSalle Ave.
Chicago, IL 60602
312-744-5000
Lincolnwood Chamber of Commerce
Marlene May, President/CEO
4433 W. Touhy Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60646
847-679-5760
Skokie Village Hall
5127 Oakton St.
Skokie, IL 60077
847-673-0500
Morton Grove Village Hall
6101 Capulina Ave.
Morton Grove, IL 60053
847-965-4100
Glenview Village Hall
1225 Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025
847-724-1700
Northfield Village Hall
361 Happ Road
Northfield, IL 60053
847-446-9200
Northbrook Village Hall
1225 Cedar Lane
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-272-5050
Glencoe Village Center
325 Hazel St.
Glencoe, IL 60022
847-835-4111
