NEARBY BIKE TRAILS
Spring is here! Time to dust of the outdoor equipment and get moving. One of the best ways to experience the outdoors in western Winfield is on a bicycle! With miles of well cared for forest preserves, state and local trails, a fun morning ride is right out your back door. One of the best things to do is look at a map and plan your ride first. An efficient way to do things is through what is called a “loop”, linking multiple trails together. The DuPage Forest Preserve has been working with municipalities to interconnect trails throughout the county so there are many looping options available. Here’s a look at some great places to ride.
Blackwell Forest Preserve:
The main entrance is on the north side of Butterfield Road (Route 56) 0.25 mile west of Winfield Road and 1 mile east of Route 59. Parking is also available on Mack Road east of Route 59. Blackwell Preserve has many miles of trails and extends from Butterfield Road all the way to Purnell Road and is a great place to start your journey. Explore the quiet roads or head to the north at the trailhead by the archery center to catch the west branch of the DuPage River Trail going north. Or head south and east to link up with St. James Farm
St. James Farm:
Following the main trail at the south and east end of Blackwell Forest Preserve, then crossing Winfield Road, you will enter the west side of St. James Farm. A pleasurable ride awaits as you see the towering trees and multiple looping trails of the former estate and horse property. There are enough trails here to occupy a morning for a novice rider.
Illinois Prairie Path: (www.ipp.org)
If you head North and east through St. James farm you can link to the Illinois prairie path heading into Wheaton where you can go east towards Glen Ellyn or west towards Winfield. If you head south and west from St. James, you can take the path through Warrenville Grove, McDowell Grove and into downtown Naperville. The path is an important part of the Chicago suburban biking system and one of the first “rails to trails” conversions.
Herrick Lake:
Keep to the south in St. James Farm and grab the trail link that goes beneath Butterfield road. Then head east on the trail that goes along Butterfield Rd. towards the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. Once you’ve reached Herrick Lake, tour the preserve on multiple well-groomed loop trails.
Rice Lake and Danada Farms:
Haven’t had enough trail riding yet? Keep heading east through Herrick Lake Preserve and find the trail link to Danada Farms and Rice Lake. Take in all the fantastic prairie and wooded scenes while sharing the trail with a horse or two. Then stop off for a bite to eat at Rice Lake Square.
Enjoy the spring and summer, and the many miles of well cared for trails all around you. Let’s take advantage of our wonderful area!
Resources:
• DuPage Countywide Bikeways Map: https://www.dupageco.org/EDP/Bikeways_and_Trails/1150/
• Winfield Riverwalk: https://www.winfieldriverwalk.org
• Illinois Prairie Path: www.ipp.org
• Winfield Bicycle Plan: https://www.villageofwinfield.com/documentcenter/view/6003
• Route planning App: www.mapmyride.com