Robert McClory Bike Trail:South

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Robert McClory Bike Trail:North

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 13.0 miles / 20.9 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: The Robert McClory Bike Trail may be known by many names, but it's soul has always remained the same-a straight, flat bike trail that traverses through Lake County, IL from Highland Park on the south to the Wisconsin/Illinois State line on the north and all the eastern Lake County municipalities in between. This trail was born again from the now defunct Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee electric railroad corridor-hence it is sometimes mistakenly called the North Shore bike path/trail. Some locals may also call in the Green Bay trail, which it connects to on the south.
This paved and screened trail is 26.5 miles in length and connects to three other major trails-Green Bay Trail on the south, Kenosha County Bike Trail on the north, and the East-West North Shore trail in Lake Bluff. The trail parallels the Metra regional railway which runs North-South through Lake County. With both the connecting trail and Metra access, just about any lengh ride is possible whether it's one-way or round trip.
The bike trail alternates between tree lined urban throughways, quaint downtowns, and neighborhoods on the south end to more rural alternating prairies and tree sheltered trails on the north end.

This guide covers the Southern half of the Robert McClory Bike Trail. Check out my other guide, Robert McClory Bike Trail:North, for the northern half of the trail.

Tips: The Robert McClory Bike Path generally parallels the Metra route through the southern half of Lake County, making one-way trips logistics easy as the Metra allows bikes on some trains. Parking at the Metra stations generally requires a fee. Check the Metra site at the link below for more info.

When biking anywhere, always wear a helmet.

Reflective and brightly colored clothing make you more visible to motorists, pedestrians, and other bikers.

Layered clothing is the best way to regulate your temperature during changing weather conditions. The temperature at Lake Michigan can be up to ten degrees cooler than further inland.

Points of Interest

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Braeside Station

Southern most trailhead.The Robery McClory Bike Path terminates here at the Lake/Cook county line, with a connection to the Green Bay Bike Path.

The trailhead can be reached easily by vehicle or bike from any direction.

The Metra station offers parking and a small building for shelter.

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Ravinia Park

Ravinia Park is a festival grounds featuring a variety of musical acts throughout the summer. Check the link in the resources section for information about upcoming performances.

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Ravinia Station

Metra Ravinia Station
Parking is available here.

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Solar Journey by Terrence Karpowicz

One of many sculptures along the bike path commissioned by the City of Highland Park

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Highland Park Station

Highland Park Metra Station

You have the two options here: bike the direct business route up St. John's Ave. or the bypass through the Highland Park neighborhoods. Both options lead to the same location-the continuation of the bike trail further north.

The direct route follows St. John's Ave. which parallels the train tracks north until it reconnects with the bike path at Highland Park High School.

The bypass heads slightly east of the tracks through neighborhoods where it rejoins the trail to the north at Highland Park High School.

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Highland Park High School

Follow Vine Ave. east to the ramp which connects you back to the bike path.

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Sem-Euphoria Spin by Fred Nagelbach

One of many sculptures along the bike path commissioned by the City of Highland Park

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Fort Sheridan Bypass

The bike path takes to the road here to bypass the business district on Waukegan Ave in favor of the low traffic neighborhood streets.

As the signs along the path indicate, you'll want to cross Waukegan Ave. and head north to Bloom, east to St. John's Ave., and north to the paved path adjacent to Walker Ave where it goes around Fort Sheridan.

The bike path re-connects with the railway north of Fort Sheridan.

The Highwood Metra station can be reached by traveling North on Waukegan Ave.

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Highwood Metra Station

The Highwood Metra station is not on the bike path, but it can be accessed from the North or South via Waukegan Ave.

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Fort Sheridan Metra Station

Metra stop with small building and parking.

The Fort Sheridan Bypass reconnects to the Robert McClory Bike path at the NW corner of the intersection of Sheridan/McKinley Road and Old Elm Road.

Cold drinks and restrooms are available at the gas station adjacent to the Metra Station.

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Lake Forest Metra Station

Metra stop with small building and parking.

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North Shore Trail Junction

Here the Robert McClory Bike Path intersects the North Shore Trail.

The North Shore Trail is a paved/crushed limestone trail that parallels Hwy. 176 West 7.5 miles to Mundelein, IL.

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Lake Bluff Station

Metra stop with small building and parking.

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Great Lakes Metra Station

Northern most trailhead for this section of the guide. The bike path continues north to the state line. Be sure to check out my other guide, Robert McClory Bike Trail:North for the continuation to the State Line.

Metra stop with small building and parking which sits across from the Great Lakes Naval Station. The Great Lakes Naval station main gate is just north of the Metra station. Can be reached from all directions by vehicle or bike.

Pictures in this guide taken by: WisconsinGuide

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