Des Plaines River Trail – Catherine Chevalier Woods loop from Prospect Heights

Bike touring routes & trails

Des Plaines River Trail – Catherine Chevalier Woods loop from Prospect Heights

Moderate

4.8

(9449)

19,692

riders

Des Plaines River Trail – Catherine Chevalier Woods loop from Prospect Heights

03:47

47.5km

70m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 10.9 km for 192 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

6.95 km

Railway crossing

Highlight • Structure

Watch for the railway crossing ahead, which lacks crossing lights and automatic rail bars. However, two cement blocks are placed just before the tracks to slow you down and alert …

Tip by

10.5 km

Des Plaines River

Highlight • River

Des Plaines River flows 133 miles (214 km) flows through Wisconsin and Illinois before joining the Kankakee River. It's the longest stream in Chicago.

Tip by

10.9 km

Northwestern Woods

Forest

12.3 km

Des Plaines River Trail at Campground Road Woods

Highlight • Trail

This park highlights the Des Plaines River Trail, which meanders along the Des Plaines River through the lush and verdant surroundings of the area. The area offers scenic views of the river throughout.

Tip by

13.6 km

Algonquin Woods Preserve

Nature Reserve

15.2 km

Des Plaines River Trail – Riverside View

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Des Plaines River Trail totals over 31 miles in one direction and has a bunch of different trailheads along the way. This particular section of the crushed-gravel trail gets …

Tip by

16.4 km

Des Plaines River Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This trail meanders along the Des Plaines River, meeting up and crossing the river several times through more than 12 forest preserves, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your ride.

Tip by

20.4 km

Catherine Chevalier Woods

Highlight • Forest

This is one of the many forest preserves along the Des Plaines River Trail. There are picnic tables, bathrooms and parking for trail access here. You can enjoy some great views of the river from here as well.

Tip by

21.1 km

Robinson Woods North Trail Along Des Plaines River

Highlight • Trail

This area offers a nice unpaved trail that follows along the Des Plaines River, providing enjoyable views and sounds as you ride. The park is named after Alexander Robinson, the English name of Potawatomi chief Chee-chee-pin-quay, born in 1787.

Tip by

23.1 km

Schiller Woods North Preserve

Nature Reserve

24.2 km