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Grand Illinois TrailTM
What is the GIT?The Grand Illinois Trail (GIT) is a 535-mile loop trail in northern Illinois. It goes from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi along the northern border of Illinois and then loops back across the state along the Illinois River and the Hennepin Canal. 200 miles of the route is on paved township and county roads while the rest is on limestone trails or paths. Some background stories are: The Grand Illinois Trail, a 1995 article by George Bellovics; a 2000 Illinois Prairie Path article; a 2003 article published by the Openlands Project. The Idea.In the early 1990s, with the growing network of northern Illinois trails, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources suggested a "Grand Illinois Trail" in the Illinois State Trails Plan. The concept was enthusiastically supported by cities and villages; park, forest preserve, and conservation districts; and non-profit organizations; the many local partners involved in the Grand Illinois Trail. An Executive Council was formed, with representatives of state agencies and three regional coalitions - Northern Illinois, "Canal Country," and Northwestern Illinois - serving on the council. Together, local partners and the Executive Council have reached out to link existing trails, develop new trails and establish on-road connections to make traveling the Grand Illinois Trail a continuous, memorable experience. Trail Blazer ProgramBlaze the 500-mile Grand Illinois Trail as part of a "Trail Blazer" program sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The program officially began at the June 3, 2000, Grand Illinois Trail Celebration, an event highlighting advances in developing the "GIT". Trail Blazers are required to complete the trail within one year from the date they are enrolled, by either a single trip or several trips, and submit a journal indicating that all seventeen checkpoints have been visited. In your journal, indicate the date and time you reach the checkpoints and include interesting experiences. Photography is always encouraged, but not required. Trail Blazers will be recognized at a ceremony at the first meeting of the GIT Executive Council after National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June.
Personal WebsitesA number of riders have completed the Grand Illinois Trail loop. Links to their personal pages are provided below.
GITAP Bike Tour
If you prefer to do your Trail Blazing on a supported group ride, you can "GITAP" and go! The Grand Illinois Trail and Parks (GITAP) tour is an annual, week-long cycling journey along large sections of the Grand Illinois Trail (GIT) route, with overnights in Illinois state park campgrounds or nearby motels. The first ride was held in 2003 by the League of Illinois Bicyclists and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The GuideThe GIT User's Guide is meant to help you plan your trip as you explore the Grand Illinois Trail. The guide divides the trail into ten (10) segments, each with a map and "clockwise"-oriented cue sheet for directions and local features to enjoy. You'll find nearby accommodations including lodging, camping, food, and bike repair. Detailed maps guide you through areas with many turns. The GIT User's Guide is available for viewing/printing using Adobe Acrobat® format. Download free Adobe Acrobat® The guide is availabile in its entirety (1.67MB), or in individual segments (120-250KB each) by clicking the appropriate segment on the overview map below. Segment 1 cue sheet. Maywood to Lansing - 39 miles
Segment 2 cue sheet. Lansing to Joliet - 40 miles
Segment 3 cue sheet. Joliet to Bureau - 79 miles
Segment 4 cue sheet. Bureau to East Moline - 67 miles
Segment 5 cue sheet. East Moline to Mississippi Palisades State Park - 55 miles
Segment 6 cue sheet. Mississippi Palisades State Park to Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park - 68 miles
Segment 7 cue sheet. Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park to Rock Cut State Park - 67 miles
Segment 8 cue sheet. Rock Cut State Park to McHenry - 59 miles
Segment 9 cue sheet. McHenry to Maywood - 54 miles
Segment 10 cue sheet. Alternate Route: McHenry to Chicago-Navy Pier - 68 miles
Top of page LIB home page Revised 2007-10-02 Created 2001-06-28 Lee Pirtle, |
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Stunning views from every direction crown Chicago's world-class lakefront path. Amenities, attractions, and accommodations for urban trail users burnish this "grand jewel" of the Grand Illinois Trail.
Forest preserves, quiet streets and roads (and, yes, some not-so-quiet ones), and a wonderful new trail, the Old Plank Road Trail (OPRT), make for classy urban-suburban recreation and transportation.
Enjoy the I & M Canal State Trail - savoring history, waterways, and a cornucopia of six state parks.
The flat Illinois prairie extends as far as the eye can see. It's not a sea of grass anymore, but a cornucopia of crops growing on some of the richest land in the world.
Wonderful Mississippi river vistas and long stretches of paved path make this segment of the Grand Illinois Trail exceptional.
This is spectacular cycling country for those who are willing to accept the challenge of many ups and downs. The glaciers missed this section of Illinois; don't you.
Ride the rolling landscape into prairie country, abounding in sweeping vistas and lush greenways.
Enjoy the rural topography of northern Illinois along paths and almost traffic-free roads. This is cow and corn country -- and, yes, some pines.
Follow three major trails through greenways in the midst of Chicago suburbia. Woods and prairie, wetlands and flowing water, burnished riverside towns: this, indeed, is grand riding.
This alternative route features some easy road riding before picking up the delightful trails on Chicago's north shore.
