Imagine
...strolling along the Lake Michigan shoreline, biking through
classic Chicago neighborhoods...visiting picturesque small towns
and vibrant cities...hiking 19th-century tow paths...savoring
the Mississippi River’s majesty.
Imagine ... the Grand Illinois Trail
As it loops 500 miles between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi
River, the Grand Illinois Trail joins together existing and
proposed state and local trails to create the state’s longest
continuous trail. It hugs historic canals, crosses unglaciated
hills, parallels the Rock and Fox Rivers, and includes one of
America’s first rail-trails. There is something for everyone
on the Grand Illinois Trail. Become one of the few to complete
the entire trail by participating in the Trail
Blazer program.
The
Idea
In the early 1990s, with the growing network of northern Illinois
trails, the DNR 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—Chicagoland, 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.
The
Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Ride-GITAP
The Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Ride is a week-long cycling
journey in June along the route of the GIT with overnights in
Illinois state parks and nearby hotels. For more information,
visit our organizing partner, the League of Illinois Bicyclists' GITAP page to learn more about this year's ride and see photos from previous rides.
The
Complete Grand Illinois Trail Guidebook by
Todd Volker
Published by FirstServe Press, this
is the ultimate guide to the Grand Illinois Trail with descriptive
text on the history of the trail, places and things to see along
the way and route information. The book will soon be available
through the DNR
gift shop.
The
League of Illinois Bicyclists has
an extensive Grand Illinois Trail site at http://www.bikelib.org/
Available from their web site is a downloadable version of the
GIT
User Guide (a detailed, cue-sheet guide for using the route.)
The file is 1.67 MB and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader available
at Adobe.com If you are
unable to download the guide, email IDNR at for a copy to be mailed to you.
Another one of our partners the Openlands Project also has a very comprehensive Grand Illinois Trail page. Without our partners, trails like this would not be possible. Please visit their sites for more trail information.