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Great Western Trail – West Branch Forest Preserve loop from WMAQ-AM (Chicago)

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Great Western Trail – West Branch Forest Preserve loop from WMAQ-AM (Chicago)

Easy

5.0

(6299)

11,396

riders

Great Western Trail – West Branch Forest Preserve loop from WMAQ-AM (Chicago)

01:47

29.6km

110m

Cycling

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 5, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

7.53 km

Caputo's Grocery

Highlight • Structure

go early

Tip by

8.07 km

Great Western Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Great Western Trail is a 13-mile long rail-trail. It runs from Villa Park to West Chicago. The path is crushed limestone and runs mostly through beautiful woodland.

Tip by

12.3 km

Great Western Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Once the railbed of the Chicago Great Western Railroad, the Great Western Trail is now a lovely, mostly flat ride on a surface of crushed limestone dust.

Tip by

18.1 km

Spanning 713 acres, West Branch Forest Preserve captivates with diverse habitats, plants, and wildlife. Initially acquired for flood control, it now boasts a reservoir for stormwater collection and natural filtration. …

Tip by

18.3 km

West Branch Forest Preserve

Nature Reserve

19.6 km

View of the lake at West Branch Forest Preserve

Highlight • Viewpoint

West Branch Forest Preserve, a 713-acre area comprised of meadows, wetlands, forests, and prairies, offers trails, fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing, and picnic areas. Open from one hour after sunrise to …

Tip by

29.6 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.1 km

9.73 km

5.19 km

3.59 km

Surfaces

9.72 km

9.25 km

8.81 km

926 m

867 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Monday 8 June

27°C

18°C

94 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Great Western Trail – West Branch Forest Preserve loop from WMAQ-AM (Chicago)

Caputo's Grocery

Great Western Trail

Great Western Trail

West Branch Forest Preserve

View of the lake at West Branch Forest Preserve

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