Half Day Forest Preserve Ponds – Des Plaines River bridge loop from CDW @ Play

Bike touring routes & trails

Half Day Forest Preserve Ponds – Des Plaines River bridge loop from CDW @ Play

Moderate

2.6

(23)

riders

Half Day Forest Preserve Ponds – Des Plaines River bridge loop from CDW @ Play

02:09

24.7km

40m

Cycling

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

Last updated: October 30, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Edward L Ryerson Conservation Area

Potawatomi Woods Preserve

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

782 m

Half Day Forest Preserve Ponds

Highlight • Lake

Here you will find a gorgeous network of flat, crushed gravel trails that connect with the Des Plaines River Trail and other nearby preserves. The trails take you around scenic ponds, by picnic areas, and through the woods. This is a great place to see birds who use the ponds as migratory stops.

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8.91 km

Des Plaines River Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Des Plaines River Trail is a multi-use trail that follows the course of the Des Plaines River. It passes through picturesque, remarkable places.

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9.45 km

Cahokia Flatwoods

Highlight • Forest

This stretch of the Des Plaines River Trail at Cahokia Flatwoods Forest Preserve guides hikers through a serene woodland, with a dirt path winding under tall oaks and maples. Surrounded by green undergrowth and dappled sunlight, it’s a peaceful escape near the river

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10.9 km

Des Plains River Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Des Plains River Trail follows its namesake river for nearly 30 miles through over a dozen parks and nature preserves. It's a multi-use trail so keep an eye our for hikers and runners. Also, the fall color season is a particularly gorgeous time to ride.

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13.3 km

Des Plaines River Trail at Cahokia Flatwoods

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

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20.3 km

Des Plaines River Trail – Half Day Forest Preserve

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Des Plaines River Trail stretches over 56 miles along the Des Plaines River, offering a scenic natural escape through Lake and Cook Counties, just outside Chicago. This multi-use trail features a mix of surfaces, including pavement, crushed stone, and single-track forest paths, making for an exciting and varied biking experience. The northern sections are well-maintained and popular, while the southern portions become narrower and more rugged. This particular portion of the Des Plaines River Trail passes through Half Day Forest Preserve with nice views of the river and several ponds.

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23.3 km

Des Plaines River bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The Des Plaines River flows southwards from Wisconsin and down through Illinois. It makes for an excellent cycling companion thanks to the trails that wind alongside it. This bridge spans the river in the Captain Daniel Wright Woods Preserve, east of Vernon Hills.

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