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A segment of the Illinois Prairie Path connecting the trailhead in Maywood to the other branches of the IPP in Wheaton.


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Map Key

15.7

Miles

25.2

KM

Doubletrack

765' 233 m

High

627' 191 m

Low

238' 73 m

Up

114' 35 m

Down

0%

Avg Grade (0°)

2%

Max Grade (1°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Family Friendly While attempting to ride the whole length may prove too much, children can certainly enjoy a smaller portion of this trail.

Description

This popular urban trail is one of five sections comprising the entire Illinois Prairie Path system found at ipp.org. This Main Branch begins in Maywood and passes through the suburbs of Bellwood, Hillside, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, and Wheaton.

The flat trail consists mostly of crushed limestone with some hard surface sections. Much of it is lined with trees and foliage. There are a number of street crossings over its length but there are long sections without any. Refreshments and food can be found easily in most of these suburbs.

The trailhead begins in Maywood on the west side of South 1st Ave. just south of Maybrook Dr. At the start is a monument of two tall pillars and is labeled "Illinois Prairie Path." From there, the trail goes 2.5 miles through residential and industrial areas to Mannheim Rd. at which point it transitions to a section of street called Warren Ave. Travel on Warren 0.5 miles and at N. Forest Ave. turn right (north) continuing 256 ft. crossing Butterfield Rd. to re-enter the trail at the water tower.

Upon reaching Wheaton the path transitions to a sidewalk for the last 0.3 miles where the Elgin Branch (northwest) and the Aurora Branch (southwest) begin.

Contacts

Shared By:

Eric Ashley with improvements by Rusty Chain

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 5 votes

#2

in Oak Park

#8652

Overall
  4.4 from 5 votes
5 Star
80%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
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2 Star
20%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Oak Park

#89

in Illinois

#8,652

Overall
8 Views Last Month
1,259 Since Dec 2, 2016
Easy Easy

100%
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Photos

Use this sign to stay on the trail. Sign markings explained at https://ipp.org/about-the-trail/
Oct 3, 2021 near Lombard, IL
Trail start at most eastern point at 1325 S 1st Avenue in Maywood, IL
Oct 3, 2021 near Maywood, IL
Villa Park Historical Society (formerly train station) located on Illinois Prairie Path - Main Stem 0.1 mile south of the Great Western Trail at 220 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park, IL.
Oct 3, 2021 near Villa Park, IL
Lombard Historical Signage - one of several in the town
Oct 3, 2021 near Lombard, IL
Bridge over East Branch DuPage River
Oct 3, 2021 near Lombard, IL

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 24, 2022
Rusty Chain
Where the trail crosses I-355 in Lombard the asphalt trail was recently repaved so going from the trail to the concrete bridge is much smoother. 3mi — 0h 20m
Sep 30, 2021
Rusty Chain
10mi — 1h 00m
Jan 5, 2019
Justin Ritchie
10mi
Oct 8, 2018
M C
Sep 22, 2018
Christine Sampson
11mi
Sep 19, 2018
Christine Sampson
14.8mi
Jul 16, 2018
jose Torres
Jul 4, 2018
jose Torres
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