Most Amazing Places To Cycle In Chicago

Whether you’re looking to get out of the city, trying to be a bit healthier, or just looking for something fun to do, biking in and around Chicago is a great option for most of the year. There are hundreds of miles of on-street bike lanes, and some exciting trails to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s also incredibly flat, plus CTA buses have bike racks for when you’ve had enough. You can even rent a bike from Divvy, the city’s bike share program, for under $10 for 24 hours. Happy cycling.

The Lakefront Trail

This 18-mile (29-km) stretch is hard to beat when it comes to cycling in Chicago. Hugging the shore of Lake Michigan all the way from Hyde Park‘s museums to Edgewater’s beaches, the trail passes many of Chicago’s most popular attractions and provides amazing views of that awesome skyline. Be sure to stop off at the ever-popular free Lincoln Park Zoo or at Museum Campus to make a day of it. There are also restrooms and water fountains at regular intervals.

North Sheridan Road

North Branch Trail

Another great Chicago trail also leads to the Chicago Botanic Garden. The North Branch Trail is a paved 20-mile (32-km) route that follows the North Branch of the Chicago River, hence the name. Beginning at the forest preserves in Forest Glen, the trail winds through woods and leafy suburbs, passing golf courses and the Skokie Lagoons before reaching the garden. Parking options along the trail and amenities are provided.

Cal-Sag Trail

Heading southwest of the city, the full length of the Cal-Sag Trail is still being constructed, but a 13-mile (21-km) section opened in 2015. The completed tree-lined stretch travels along the Cal-Sag Channel, from Sagawua Canyon through the Sag Quarries Nature Preserve to Alsip’s Freedom Park. The trail will eventually be 26 miles long and end in Calumet City on the border with Indiana.

The 606

Back in the city, this 2.7-mile (4.4-km) park trail along Bloomingdale Avenue was converted from an old elevated train track, as Chicago’s answer to New York’s the High Line. It was completed in 2015 and runs from Bucktown to Logan Square, with lots to see and do on the way. Although short in comparison to other trails, a chance to see the city from a different perspective makes this path worth several laps.

Salt Creek Trail

West of the city, the Salt Creek Greenway Trail travels a lengthy 26.7 miles (43 km) from the Brookfield Zoo to Busse Woods Forest Preserve. Not all of the trail is paved, and a few short sections require cycling on the road, but the majority passes through beautiful forest preserves and mostly quiet suburbs.

Illinois Prairie Path

Intersecting the Salt Creek Trail is the Illinois Prairie Path, one of the country’s first rail-to-trail conversions. Following the path of the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin electric railroad, this trail combines five segments and the three main branches meet in Wheaton’s Volunteer Park. The whole path is a hefty 61 miles (98 km) long.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.