Biking in the Chicago Southland

The Chicago area has long been a cyclist-friendly area, and its miles of paved trails continue to grow. The Southland Century Loop has been in the works for years and will eventually connect several shorter routes to create a 100-plus-mile loop through the south and southwest suburbs.

Several area trails are part of the rails-to-trails initiative, utilizing former railroad routes to create cycling paths connecting communities through both populated areas and more densely wooded out-of-the-way trails. The combination makes for a diverse excursion where you can stop for a meal or shopping and within minutes be engulfed in serene surroundings where the only sounds come from the birds and insects.

Forest Preserve districts, municipalities and park districts manage the several sections of trail that will loop you around the region. Trail maps can be found at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC.com) and The Forest Preserve District of Will County (ReconnectWithNature.org).

Also, visit ChicagoSouthland.com/Trails to link to our Trails App that has been developed to include restrooms, bike racks and water fountains.

Trails making up the Southland Century Loop include:

• Burnham Greenway Trail System (Burnham, Calumet City, Chicago, Lansing)
  Length: 11.5 miles, paved
• Thorn Creek Trail System (Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Glenwood, Lansing, Lynwood, Park Forest, South Holland)
  Length: 29.9 miles, paved and unpaved
• Old Plank Road Trail (Frankfort, Matteson, Park Forest, Chicago Heights)
  Length: 22 miles, paved with recent improvements
• I & M Canal Trail (Lockport, Romeoville)
  Length: 7.57 miles, paved and unpaved
• Centennial Trail (Lemont, Willow Springs)
  Length: 9.3 miles, paved
• Cal-Sag Trail (Alsip, Blue Island, Calumet City, Dolton, Lemont, Palos Heights, Riverdale)
  Length: 13 miles (will eventually stretch 26 miles)

ADDITIONAL TRAILS TO EXPLORE BY BICYCLE

• Kickapoo Woods Trail (Dixmoor, Harvey, Riverdale)
  Length: 1 mile, paved
• Major Taylor Trail (Chicago, Riverdale)
  Length: 8.1 miles, paved
• Oak Forest Heritage Preserve Trails (Markham, Oak Forest)
  Length: 2.5 miles
• Orland Grassland Trails (Orland Hills, Orland Park)
  Length: 13 miles, paved and unpaved
• Palos Trail System (Hickory Hills, Justice, Palos Hills, Willow Springs)
  Length: 42.1 miles, unpaved
• Plum Creek Trail (Sauk Village)
  Length: 1.8 miles, unpaved
• Sag Valley Trail System (Homer Glen, Lemont, Palos Park)
  Length: 20.4 miles, unpaved
• Route 30 Bikeway (Frankfort)
• Length: 7.65 miles, paved

ABOUT THE MAJOR TAYLOR TRAIL

This trail is named for Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor (1878-1932), who was an African American professional cyclist. He became a professional cyclist at the age of 18. In 1898 and 1899, he set numerous world records in race distances ranging from a quarter mile to two-miles. He won the one-mile sprint event at the 1899 world track championships to become the first African American to achieve world champion cycling status and the second Black athlete to win a world championship in any sport. Born and raised in Indianapolis, he spent his final years living in Chicago.

ABOUT BIG MARSH

Big Marsh Bike Park is a 300-acre park on the southeast side of the city of Chicago. This once-active industrial property was acquired by the Chicago Park District in 2011 and opened to the public in 2016. From fort-building and bug-catching to birding and BMX bike jump lines, there is something for all ages, interests and abilities. Roughly 45 acres are developed for eco-recreation opportunities including BMX single-track courses, pump tracks and paved bike trails. Other acreage is reserved for more passive recreation such as birding and nature observation. All acreage is being developed to protect or further enhance the overall natural habitat of the park property, including sensitivity to flora, fauna and wetlands.

MORE BICYCLING AND TRAIL RESOURCES

Cycling Clubs
FolksOnSpokes.com
SouthChicagoWheelmen.com
CAMBR.org (Chicago Area Mountain Bikers)
MajorTaylorChicago.com

Trail Websites
TrailLink.com
ChicagoSouthland.com/Trails

Bicycle Shops
Compleat Cyclist, Dolton (CompleatCyclist.com)
GoodSpeed Cycles, Homewood (GoodSpeedCycles.com)
Greenway Bikehouse, Lansing (GreenwayBikehouse.com)
Orland Park Cyclery, Orland Park (OrlandParkCyclery.com)
Richard’s Bicycles, Palos Heights (RBikes.com)

Annual Events
Palos Meltdown Mountain Bike Festival and Race, Willow Springs (CAMBR.org)
Major Taylor Trailkeepers Fundraiser Bike Ride & Festival, Chicago (MajorTaylorChicago.com)