jane addams recreation trail

tedkirby

Started walking at the entrance near US 20 and got a few miles before turning around. Trail is flat and in the shade, which was clutch. Very pleasant walking, passed by some people on bicycles. If you want you can walk to Wisconsin on the trail! There were a lot of bugs and the next day I noticed a ton of bites. But I would do this again, and aim to make it into Wisconsin. Walking across state lines would be cool!

MarkJaci

Rode the full 14 miles from Freeport north to the Wisconsin border and back. Hard packed sand surface was in very good condition. Rode 3 miles into Wisconsin, the trail was not as smooth, but still ok. There is a gas station to stop at in Orangeville if you need supplies.

pwn2014

We did this in the early fall of 2013. It was slightly humid that day and our mountain bikes seemed a little heavy after about an hour of riding. The trail is mostly flat with good shade for most of it. Beautiful meadows and a nice stream to cross over it offers a good variety of picture taking opportunities.

ILBoomerTraveller

A beautifully maintained trail starting at Freeport, IL and going north about 13 miles to the Illinois state line then connecting with the Badger State trail in Wisconsin. Trail markers and a brochure indicating what is in that area.

JOELLYNAM

This trail is great for all ages and makes a fun easy walk on a sunny spring day with lots of flowers and wildlife to see. it crosses many roads so a pick up and drop off can be set up easily.

luzi76

Love to ride bikes on this trail, Beautiful diverse scenery, Can go all the way to Monroe, although the prettiest portion is from Freeport to Orangeville.

glstorm

If you don't mind the cold, this trail offers a lot of opportunities in the winter. Photo ops, skijoring with the dogs, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Just use some caution as the snowmobilers tend to race along quite fast so you'll want to be careful and pay attention to them. The trail head at Orangeville provides a nice parking place and close by amenities such as the gas station, a local grocery and restaurant/bar. Be sure to come prepared and bring your camera. There are bathrooms at the Orangeville trail head and at the gas station right there as well.

mkhmn

Discovered this trail system while visiting relatives. I like to hike and I like to geocache and quite a few caches were located on this trail. I had never heard to Ms. Addams but she is quite the big deal and grew up around here. Look her up - it's really interesting.Anyway, the Rails to Trails program has taken all the old abandoned rail lines and ripped out the hardware, smoothed them out and voila! Trails! I started at a snowmobile starting point just outside Freeport. There is a parking lot and good access to the trail. What I didn't realize is that this trail is just a small part of a huge trail system that goes up through Wisconsin as well. You could hike for DAYS and still not get it all done.The trails are packed dirt so I imagine that they are pretty muddy in rain or snow, but who cares? Wear the right footwear.Only complaint is that I had a hard time finding parking at other locations to access the trail. I don't know if it's not there or if I just don't know how to find it yet. But you can bet that next time I'm in the area I'll be hitting the trail, so to speak.

LikeToExploreAround

As others have said, this trail is an old railroad bed that is great for walking, running, training, cycling... there are bathroom port-a-potty facilities at Orangeville, and at Freeport behind the Baymont hotel. Buena Vista part of the trail is beautiful - has carved out rock and a nice bridge. Go in the fall time to see all the beautiful colors.

joeh513

Stayed at Baymont hotel next to trail in Freeport.Very enjoyable shaded trail to Wisconsin border.Went off trail at Orangeville to eat at Tammy Joe's restaurant- great salad bar and food. Went off trail near Cedarville to visit Jane Adamsgravesite, museum and see her home.A pleasant days ride of about 36 miles to and from the hotel

frank0511

This trail has been developed over a long time and it is still not completed. When it's finished you'll be able to go from Freeport, IL. to Madison, WI. It's a wonderful trail from Freeport to Monroe, WI. traveling through the rolling fields and timbers.

biknrun

This trail starts alone Rt. 20. I have jogged the entire trail and bicycled it. A perfect place for training. It does not have water stops so bring your own. You can get off, if you know where your at in a couple small towns before Orangeville. It is best for riding a bicycle. In Monticello (in Wis. a pass is required) Wi. you can turn off onto the Sugar River Trail. Or if you keep on the Jane Adams Trail/Badger Trail you can go on into Madison Wi. and circle the lakes and eat up by the Capital. Just before you get to Madison Wi. you can turn off onto the Military Ridge Trail and head west to Dodgeville Wi.. You can virtually disappear for a few days using the Jane Adams Trail and see a host of sites in two states.

Kev521

Great trail. It is an old railroad bed right along the Pecatonica River. Right off of HWY 20. You could spend all day if you wanted to.

JoshF757

This limestone path is great for runs and biking. Great views