Trail Website:
none
Trail Distance: 10 Miles
Trail Surface: Paved and crushed limestone
Type of Use: Tour
Towns: Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park
County: Cook
Intensity of Use: Heavy
Setting: North Suburban
Connecting Trails: Evanston Lakeshore to the south. Lake Forest/Lake Bluff to the north. North Branch to the west.
Maintained by: unknown
Directions for parking: Parking is generally available along Green Bay Rd. and NW Commuter Stations in Wilmette and Kenilworth. You must cross the tracks to pick-up the trail.
Hours of operation: Sunrise to sunset
Trail Map:
Rider's Comments: The Kenilworth portion of this trail allows the biker the opportunity to jump off the trail and cruise the side streets to observe the communities. This trail follows the Chicago and North Western railroad but a fence generally protects riders from the tracks. The farther north you ride, the more street crossings you encounter and the less interesting the trail becomes. There are a few tricky places where the trail seems to end, or jumps onto streets. The general rule of thumb is to stay close to the tracks. You'll pick up the trail again.
John Trznadel: The Green Bay Trail runs 18 miles from Shorewood Park in Wilmette to Lake Bluff in Lake County. Built on the former Chicago North Shore Milwaukee Railway, the Green Bay Trail parallels the Metra North Line (C & NW) railroad tracks as well as Green Bay and Sheridan roads.
The 6.2-mile Cook County portion of the trail heading north from Shorewood Park takes you through the picturesque North Shore communities of Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Glencoe. The well-maintained trail leads through or near a series of parks, including Shorewood, Sheldon and Veteran's Memorial, as well as several community train stations.
The Green Bay Trail enters Lake County in Highland Park at the Braeside train station just south of Ravinia at Lake Cook/County Line Road. Three-quarters of a mile from Central Avenue you'll pass Moraine Park. You may want to stop here for drinking water, restrooms, picnic areas, and a lovely view of Lake Michigan.
At the stop sign at Deerpath and McKinley roads, you have three pleasant alternatives: Turn left and explore the Market Square shopping area. Or head right on Deerpath Road and ride 1 mile to Forest Park to enjoy scenic bluff views of Lake Michigan. You can also continue on the Green Bay Trail, proceeding north through the train station parking area along McKinley.
From downtown Lake Forest you have a 1.7-mile ride to downtown Lake Bluff. There are two Y intersections on the trail right before you go over the bridge to the Lake Bluff train station. Either of the two paths to the left take you to the west branch of the North Shore Path. Proceed straight ahead at the Lake Bluff train station to continue north on the Green Bay Trail.
There are many restaurants to sample along this trail; you'll also find water fountains, benches, and picnic tables at several of the parks. Most of the community train stations have restrooms and public telephones.
For Detailed Information Contact:
NIPC
400 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60606
312-454-0400
(Lake County portion of Green Bay Trail only)
For Calendar of Events in Surrounding Communities Contact:
Wilmette Village Hall
1200 Wilmette Ave.
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-251-2700
Glencoe Village Center
325 Hazel
Glencoe, IL 60022
847-835-4111
Winnetka Chamber of Commerce
Joan. L. Moreland, Exec. Dir.
841 Spruce St.
Winnetka, IL 60093
847-446-4451
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce
Virginia Collins, Exec. Dir.
600 Central Ave., #205
Highland Park, IL 60035
847-432-0284
