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You are here: Home / Travel / Chicago / Chicago with kids: North Branch trail

Chicago

Chicago with kids: North Branch trail

By Practical Mama |
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North Branch Trail
Chicago is one of the bike-friendliest cities in the US. Chicago has many city and forest preserve bike trails to accommodate both pro and recreational bikers. One of our favorite trails in the city is the North Branch trail.

North Branch Trail is a Class I bicycle trail that extends 21 miles from Forest Glen Woods in Chicago until Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL.
IMG_4635They recently opened a 2-mile extension from Devon Avenue to Forest Glen. The plan is to extend the path to Foster Avenue. IMG_4645
This trail offers a quick getaway from the city with a beautiful green scenic view in every season. We usually go out for biking in Nort Branch Trail when we have about 3-4 hours. We ride our bikes for 3-4 miles, rest in one of the picnic groves along the way and ride back.
IMG_7967The path is 85% flat, much like the rest of Illinois. It’s very kid-friendly. We share the path with pro-bikers, runners, walkers and stroller pushers. IMG_7974
There is so much to observe and discover for kids along the path. So many interesting and exciting plants and animals in every season.
IMG_8197Once in a while we park our bikes, go by the river, which is North branch of Chicago when the water is low and just hang around. In Spring the river gets high almost getting closer to the bike path.IMG_8202
Kids play on nature-made balance beams and watch birds while we take a break.
IMG_8212Last year, we drove up to Chicago Botanic Garden with our bikes in the trunk of our van. My husband drove the car back, while I and the kids rode our bikes all the way from Glencoe to Chicago. We weren’t in a hurry or in a race. We took our time and enjoyed the scenery along the 21-mile path. Kids were proud of themselves to have ridden the complete bike path.IMG_2050
There are few hills to climb along the path including bridges over roads and railways. However, nothing too crazy. Climbing up some of them with kids is a bit hard but since what goes us must always come down, going downhill makes those uphill worthwhile. You can also meet wildlife on the road. If you look closely, you can see the deer crossing the path on the left of my son’s helmet.
IMG_4638Riding this path must be on your Fall bucket list. Spending few hours through these mesmerizing fluorescent fall colors is literally a mental reset. IMG_4645On the South side of the trail, there is practically one path. However, on the North side, there are East and West paths. When we rode our bikes from Botanic Garden, we were told East path was longer but more scenic so we picked that one. Here are the maps: map of the North Branch Trail and  North Branch Trail South map.
IMG_4649There are many guide posts and maps along the path. You can also enter and exit from various points along the trail. There are large parking lots, bathrooms and water fountains – which open in Spring and shut down in November.IMG_4650
We cannot wait to go back to North Branch trail. Let us know if you’ve biked at North Branch Trail and how you liked it?

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Comments

  1. Albert says

    at

    New parent here, and I know it’s been a while since your original post here. I’m trying to figure out where is the best place to start along the trail for someone with a stroller. Any section of the North Branch Trail in particular that you might recommend? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Practical Mama says

      at

      Albert, It kind of depends where you live. I recommend that you start at any part close to you with a parking lot. We’re towards the South end. Therefore we begin at Forest Glen preserve. It has a big parking lot. A mile towards the north there is a bridge over train tracks where you might need to climb uphill and downhill a bit. Bunker Hill near Edgebrook is also a good place to park and start.

      Reply

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  1. Luckybums ski and bike trainer for children says:
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    […] the afternoon I was taking her training photos. Big brother had her back. Now we can ride the bike trail all together. Pin it for […]

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I am a mother of two and a type of person who you would call “Jack of all trades, master of none”. As you might guess from categories, I love my children, reading, sewing, gardening, traveling and cooking. I also work full time so I have to be practical to do all the things I want to do in a 24-hr-day. More About Me


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