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Print Friendly MapThis trail gets its name from the MetroLink Red Line train track it parallels through eastern Belleville and (briefly) the village of Swansea. It is a classic rail-with-trail configuration, where train and trail share the same corridor. Initially, there were four MetroLink stations along the route (Memorial, Swansea, Belleville, College), with plans to extend the trail to the next station on both ends of its length. By 2018, the trail had been extended east to the Shiloh-Scott MetroLink Station. In 2020, a 3.5-mile extension was completed to connect the trail with the Fairview Heights MetroLink Station, extending the path through a picturesque and hilly corridor along the railroad lines. The stations help to divide the trail into shorter segments for some trail users, providing access and trail services to all.
The trail is mostly flat with gentle inclines. It goes by woods, farmland, a college campus, and city neighborhoods. It has very nice bridges over and under all the major street, highway and railroad crossings.
Just west of the Belleville station, the MetroBikeLink Trail is intersected by the picturesque Richland Creek Greenway Trail, which runs along the creek and through seven city parks in Belleville. East of the Belleville station, the St. Clair County Transit District's Orhcard Loop Trail connects to the path via Fox Valley Lane.
There is parking and trail access at each MetroLink station along the trail. To reach the largest station facility at Belleville: From I-64 take Exit 12 to State Route 159 South. Proceed 4 miles and turn left on N. Douglas Ave. Proceed 0.4 mile and turn left again onto Scheel Street. MetroLink parking is a block and a half ahead, at the end of the street.
With the recent snow, there was enough of it to do some cross country skiing. We started at the Scott/Shiloh Metro station and parking was easy and safe.
My husband & I just rode the new 3 1/2 mile section from Memorial Hospital station to Fairview Hts station. Loved the hilly curvy over the bridge & creeks to Fairview Hts station. He also rode the Eckert Orchards. Loved that as well. ¿¿
The trail is a nice combination of city & country terrain. The Amelung section near SWIC needs some TLC. The asphalt is buckled in multiple places which can make it difficult for some to navigate without an accident. The excess brush & vegetation along most of the trail has been very well maintained. Most of the wooden bridges are splintering and I met one rider that caught a flat from a piece of wood. Stay aware of pedestrians at the Belleville Station crossing. Consider adding the Orchard Loop to this ride for an extra challenge!
I live close to this trail and ride it all the time! As of 3/25/2017, they've opened it up to shiloh-scott station which adds 3.8 miles to the trail past east belleville ymca. They are also working on the trail by caryle avenue to cut out the neighborhood(and make it more straight), that is coming along nicely and once done, will cut out a road to wait for cars to cross. Over at the other end of trail memorial hospital, they have not started yet on expanding to fairview heights station. Overall great trail for our area!
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