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Print Friendly MapThe DeKalb Nature Trail provides a pleasant, tree-lined route in northern DeKalb. Near its western trailhead, it crosses the Kishwaukee River and passes through the Nehring Forest Preserve. Further on, it crosses the golf course of the Kishwaukee Country Club. And, closer to the eastern trailhead, there is a short loop through County Farm Woods on the Forest Preserve Path. Here the trail winds through dense woods and twice crosses a small creek.
Close to the eastern trail end, there are connections to two other popular area trails: the Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail that heads southwest along the Kishwaukee River, and the DeKalb-Sycamore Trail that goes northeast between these two communities.
Parking is available in Hopkins Park, a half mile southwest from the trail’s eastern end on Sycamore Road. Trail access is at its endpoints and two neighborhood cross streets.
The best part of this trail was how our trip ended.
Half way through the ride – at our 1st Street turnaround by the Nature Preserve – we were eaten up by mosquitoes! I guess they don't bother you if you ride fast enough; stop to take in the scenery and they all catch up and get you good!
But on our way back down to Route 23, we decided to take a newer loop through County Farm Woods – the road not first traveled, as it were -- and that made all the difference. (Reference to Robert Frost's poem, fully intended.) The pathway here is not a straight-as-an-arrow rail-trail; it winds through dense woods and twice crosses a small creek on quaint little bridges. A great ending to a busy day on Northern Illinois trails.
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