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    Great Western Trail

    4.3 (20 reviews)

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    Eric E.

    The last time I was on this trail was almost 20 yrs ago. In the 90's I lived in downtown Wheaton and often biked the DuPage portion of the GWT. Occasionally I'd throw my bike in the back of the Jeep and tackle the Kane side. Back then I would choose it over the Prairie Path when I wanted more sun and less people. It wasn't as kept up as the PP back then, but it was still a nice, lengthy trail. Fast forward to today. I'm living in the Kane now. I also just bought a bike rack for my car so I can eliminate the 15 miles it takes just to get to the 0 marker of the GWT in St. Charles. Beautiful day for a ride, billowy clouds, mid 80's, sunny and minimal wind. Headed west towards Sycamore around 2pm. Made a couple stops to enjoy the scenery including a stop around Virgil to photograph the black cloud system seen way off to the south. Looked west, no such clouds were headed my way, and kept peddling. No more then 15 minutes later the sun disappears and it looks like overcast conditions are taking over. Feeling good about my distance I start back. At 10 miles away it's getting a little darker by the minute. Closing in on a half dozens miles to go I turn around and spot pure black and purple clouds. Shit. Peddle faster. The storm caught up to me with five miles to go The first mile was a light rain, but I got walloped over the final four miles. I'm talking puddles in your shoes, can't see shit while biking walloped. I had to smile as a hammered down on the peddles to get back, there's something supernatural about getting caught in a storm while biking. Many of my most memorable rides over the years have included getting caught in a storm. Let me get back on track..the GWT. Like I said, I hadn't been on the Kane portion of the trail since the 90's...MUCH has changed since. There's a hell of a lot more tree and brush cover now and that's kinda nice. What hasn't changed is the quality of the trail. It's well groomed, scenic and mostly flat for good speed rides. Hell of a ride today, I'll have to conquer the DuPage side next time. Cheers.

    GWT - DuPage Parkway Section
    Don P.

    The Great Western Trail is a rail-to-trail conversion of the old Chicago Great Western Railway, which was established in 1885. It was also called the "Lucky Strike Road", due to a similarity between its logo, and that of Lucky Strike cigarettes. A modified logo is used for the trail. There are two, distinct sections, eastern and western. The western section is 18mi, and runs from St. Charles to Sycamore. The eastern section (also called the DuPage parkway section), and subject of this yelp, is a 11.6 mile, crushed limestone surface, which is as easy to walk or ride on as asphalt (and fine for road bikes). It roughly parallels North Ave, and west of Lombard, a ComEd power line right-of -way. Eastern end is in Villa Park, about 2 blocks south of Villa and St Charles Road, next to Pioneer Garden and Feed. A restored former CGW depot built in 1926 is about a block west.. The western end intersects the Prairie Path Elgin branch, slightly west of Prince Crossing Road in West Chicago. The entire trail is well marked, and they have improved the Grace St. 'jog' that requires crossing the Union Pacific tracks. Shade is plentiful in Villa Park and Lombard, but west of Route 53, less so. Unlike the Prairie Path, it is free of traffic and congestion, but offers no facilities, and only one water fountain (in Lombard). Two areas to exercise caution: the crossing at Grace St. in Lombard, and the concrete plant west of Schmale in Wheaton. It is also worth noting that it is possible to triangulate your bike travel on the Great Western trail by using the Prairie Path. For bicyclists living in the western suburbs, this gives you a quick 24 miles of controlled path riding, almost in your own back yard! For those looking at less distance, any north-south thru street in the area will connect these two paths. Tired of riding the Prairie Path? Give the Great Western a try.

    Hiram C.

    I've been in the area for over a year already and love coming here. I'm over in the Ovaltine Court Factory Lofts, and this trail is practically my backyard. I have logged plenty of miles on this trail. Easy to run on and always very well kept. Plenty of people biking, running, walking, any time of the day. Another great thing about this trail is that if you have kids, there are plenty of parks right off the trail, all relatively close from each other. Great, scenic trail!

    Bee R.

    As a trail runner and a dog mom, I have logged many miles along this trail (which conveniently runs practically through my back yard. It is a great alternative to the Prairie Path through Lombard, and tends to stay a lot less congested. It is also quite hilly, if you're looking for a little extra workout! The trail is mostly crushed limestone, with a few paved areas near bridges and streets. Because it is crushed limestone, water can certainly pool up after the rain. It is great for biking on, however - much easier than mulched trails. It is intermittently lit, but again mostly around streets and bridges, unlike the Prairie Path. That is one of the reasons why I give it only 4 stars; the Prairie Path is lit pretty much the whole way through Lombard, so if you're looking for a night run or bike, I'd advise to use that path instead. The other reason is that it is quite a nightmare to traverse in the winter. It is largely wooded, so snow doesn't melt much - and after people run and bike along the snow, it starts to form a nice thick layer of ice. Definitely can get treacherous, so run at your own risk during the winter months! This trail connects with the Prairie Path/ends in Villa Park if you head east, but if you head west it continues along the old train track for quite a while. I personally have never taken it further than Glen Ellyn area (8 miles or so), but I can say for the duration of the path I've run it manages to nicely avoid any major intersections or cross-ways. There is a bridge over Grace St., and where it crosses over Main St. in Lombard it is down to only 1 lane each way and easy to traverse. It also crosses through or next to quite a few lovely parks, so you can stop for water or to sit down and rest whenever you like, and enjoy the scenery.

    Stopping to fix a massive puncture.
    K K.

    I frequently ride the Illinois Prairie Path from it's start in Forest Park out to the Fox River in Geneva. But going back I always head north and catch Great Western Trail in Elgin as it is far less crowded, less road crossings, and even though the distance is comparable, it seems like a shorter distance. The trail is crushed rock and east to run or cycle on. Lighting is mostly non existent except for a stretch near Lombard. Once you know what you're looking for, there is well marked access to this trail from IPP in Villa Park.

    Benches along to rest.
    Fabi G.

    Good trail about 61miles long and covers 3 different county's. It has good shade provided from trees. The trail is well maintained and easy to run and ride your bike. You can find parks along the way since it passes some great community's.

    Lookout over the tracks
    Barbra F.

    A great trail! It runs much longer than you will probably need it to. Start in Lombard go over the new fancy bridges, head towards Glen Ellyn. Calm scenery and less street crossings. Enjoy the birds, squirrels, and other wild life. There are water fountains if you get thirsty.

    Connects with other paths also. I take this to the prarie path that i take to the fox river trl elgin or st charles area

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    Ask the Community - Great Western Trail

    Review Highlights - Great Western Trail

    I've also been on the prairie path many times which is very nice and also like the newer Salt Creek trail that runs NS.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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