MCT Nickel Plate Trail

Illinois

5 Reviews

The Madison County Transit (MCT) Nickel Plate Trail is the longest of the county’s trails and perhaps the most diverse in its offerings. On the west, it begins at a junction with the MCT Nature Trail, offering a rather typical mix of rural rail-trail scenery: tree-shaded trailway, open farmland, highways and scattered businesses.

That all changes at Bluff Road. There’s an old stone grain silo beside the trail there, reminding one of the earlier railroad’s connection to local agriculture. But then there's no more farmland to be seen as the trail moves on to navigate more suburban areas of woods, neighborhoods and roadways. Approaching the village of Glen Carbon, there's the junction with the Glen Carbon Heritage Bike Trail and popular Miner Park just beyond. Words like “carbon” and “miner” are a reminder of coal's place in early days of this region.

Ahead near the viaduct under Route 159 in Edwardsville, the trail intersects the MCT Nature Trail (again) and the MCT Goshen Trail—here at the gateway to an area of much industry and railroad activity in years past. There were large rail yards and many train lines intersecting here in the historic village of Leclaire area. Impressive remnants of this past can be seen on up, just past Troy Road. The community college there still uses refurbished buildings of the N.O. Nelson industrial complex. And plainly displayed is the old Edwardsville train station that has been turned around and moved to the other side of the old rail line.

A little further along, the trail is intersected by the MCT Quercus Grove Trail and leaves the city. The surface changes from asphalt to crushed stone, and the trail heads out for mile after mile of open farmland, all the way to the community of New Douglas.

Parking and Trail Access

To reach the Glen Carbon Park & Ride Lot from I-270, take Exit 9/IL Route 157/Bluff Road and go south for 1 mile to the turn-in on the right. Trail access is to the north of the parking lot.

To reach the Alhambra Township Park from I-55, take Exit 30/IL Route 140 and go east for 5.2 miles to the turn-in on the right. Parking is at the ball diamonds and trail access is at the southeast corner of the park.

short first hike

April 2021 rand4

It was an overcast, mid-forties day. Nice to hike if dressed right and bug free is a bonus on colder days. Met a few people using path but think maybe they were mainly locals using it as a means to get from one place to another. Definitely plan to do the whole length, by foot and bike.

Late December

December 2020 doug91190

Went for a ride yesterday during unusually warm December weather. Started off at Glen Carbon Park & Ride and rode 26 miles total to Hoxey Dr there and back. Started off with nice urban views on a well paved trail. Then a sharp transition into smooth gravel and rural farmland. Beautiful views of IL farmland for the rest of the way, crossing some wooden bridges over scenic streams. 5/5. Will plan to do the full trail eventually.

Gravel in your travel

February 2016 tch4595

The gravel begins at the intersection of Marine Rd and Schwartz. Good surface for those who are tired of pounding their joints on the paved surface.

Great Ride Through History

September 2013 wilhelmggw

LOTS of trail users on a beautiful Saturday morning in September. Especially in the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area, where we saw several with their maps out, trying to negotiate sections of the MCT network they hadn't been on before.

REALLY enjoyed researching the train history and early development of the Leclaire area. That really enhanced the ride with great reveries about how things might have been in other times.

The ride between Edwardsville and Alhambra seemed really long and boring. Maybe our fun was all spent out on things seen earlier. Were very glad to find a good restaurant at the gas station in Alhambra. Spent a few trail dollars there. And a nice place to take a nap in the community park there. That was free.