Explore the best rated trails in Richmond, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the New Berlin Recreation Trail and City of Franklin Hike and Bike Trail (Route of the Badger) . With more than 133 trails covering 1180 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We absolutely love this trail. Many areas are shaded. Waukesha section is totally paved. It’s a gem!
We completed this trail and absolutely loved the Lake County side. It’s about 32 miles long and nice, peaceful, ride. Once you enter Cook County, it’s very rough, tough and rocky ride. Extremely uncomfortable ride. Will not do that section again but will do Lake County side.
We just finished this trail n loved it. Fully paved n easy to ride. There are a couple areas where the signage isn’t good but we were able to find the connection easily. The pin drop to Menomonee Falls sent us to a wrong location. Best that you google map it. Also, park on the street NOT where it takes you to the parking site. It’s private n they will toll you. Enjoy
Trail has different terrains, from pebbles, limestone, paved n larger gravel. We expected to only do this route n back, but due to poor signage, we rode 14 miles extra miles as we caught a different trail. I didn’t care for the larger gravel in the last 4 miles. Also, some of the limestone was not kept up. We rode carefully in those areas. Finally, there were many instances that you cross a street which didn’t have a slight ramp. Won’t do this trail again!
Segment starting at North Avenue then up to Lawrence Avenue is still very rough: dirt, rocks and roots abound so prepare for a mostly bone-jarring ride. Will be muddy and can be flooded after rains-especially in the tunnels. There is a dangerous road crossing at Irving Park Road. The county has future plans to improve this segment. Starting at Lawrence there is a new crushed stone path (with bridges over Lawrence and the Kennedy X-way) that goes all the way north to Tuohy where the pre-existing trailbed continues.
Cool trail, watch out for closure under 294 for construction. On the way down the trail we went around… on the way back we snuck through the construction zone given it was a Sunday. (Results may vary) ¿
This used to be a good trail when it was paved with crushed limestone. The city totally wrecked the trail with the ground asphalt , it's like riding on marbles .
Since I am visiting Wisconsin, as I do every year, I try different trails. I thought this would be perfect riding along the lake. Honestly I think Racine has an issue with providing signage. This was the first of two trails I did in Racine and the signage is very poor. I tried to start at the one end (which I think I did) and started riding. Riding along the lake only lasted about 1 mile before the few signs there were told me to turn towards town and away from the lake. It seemed as if every sign I did come across directed me to a closed road. I tried to navigate around closures but when you are not familiar with a town, that can be difficult and confusing. I pulled out google maps at one point to attempt to figure out how do get to the path again, but somehow I ended up on some other path and that didn't take me far. I got fed up fairly quickly and ultimately went back to my car. I like to do at least 20-30 miles minimum but was frustrated and only did about 9. Wasted the drive time and general riding time on this pointless ride.
If you are starting at Meyers Park (the first parking area at this end of the trail), it cuts off approximately 5 miles of the trail. It is also not labeled or have signage that states "Seven Waters Bike Trail" rather the signage states Racine Bike Trail System. At some intersections the signage is very poor and I needed to pull out google maps to figure out where the trail continued. Lots of street crossings, most not busy however you are on a semi busy road for about a mile until you pick up the trail again. There is a bike lane but not the whole part of this road.
Overall I was not impressed with this trail. It would be a good trail for exercise if you live close to it but not worth driving to from anywhere else.
Except for the bison herd, not much interesting to see here on this flat trail.
As noted, bring Real-ID for trail access. Also, check lab website (fnal.gov) for occasional closings. Wilson Hall building with restrooms is open on weekdays.
I loved how the trail was varied in scenery. Wooded, town, neighborhoods. We started in North Aurora, Il and went to South Elgin. During first 8 miles and of course the last 8 the asphalt was heaved frequently as much as 3-6 inches and the width of the trail. Riding a recumbent, the bumps are quite pronounced. Shortly after starting you come to a flight of stairs. There is a sign on a post on the left of the trail warning you. Just make a right through the parking lot and go to the street and go left in sidewalk to circumvent them.
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