Grand Illinois Bike Trail

With over 500 miles of paved trail, the Grand Illinois Bike Trail offers a unique way to see our state’s beauty from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River… and a plethora of points in between.

Whether you are a seasoned bicyclist, ready for a grand tour, or you’re a leisure bicyclist, looking for a shorter outing, the bike trail offers a circle route through northern Illinois, from Lansing and Chicago on the east to Richmond and Rockford on the North, Galena and East Moline on the west, and back around, loosely following Interstate 80 on the south. And be assured that there is a welcoming and relaxing bed and breakfast inn close to each mile of the trail.

The trail is divided into eighteen sections for ease of trip planning, and ten recommended routes are available. Informative signs along the trail include maps, historical and geographical information, and information regarding what visitors can expect from the section of trail they are currently traveling.

Because of the great distance of this trail, travelers will experience diverse wildlife and meet a variety of residents in the towns and cities.

For a more organized Grand Illinois Bike Trail event, the League of Illinois Bicyclists holds an annual week-long ride along the Grand Illinois Bike Trail in June.