Chicago

Explore all Chicago rides

All 11 modelled rides from Chicago: the Lakefront Trail, the 606 and days to the North Shore.

Rides for you

Out and back

Out and back along the lake, to a park or up the North Shore. All start and finish in Chicago. Easiest first.

Ping Tom Memorial Park4.5 mi · 30 ft climbingOut and back15–20 min riding
North Avenue Beach5.7 mi · 15 ft climbingOut and back20–25 min riding
31st Street Beach6.1 mi · 30 ft climbingOut and back20–30 min riding
Montrose Point14.1 mi · 80 ft climbingOut and back50 min–1 h 05 riding
Garfield Park Conservatory14.4 mi · 70 ft climbingOut and back50 min–1 h 05 riding
Jackson Park14.7 mi · 70 ft climbingOut and back50 min–1 h 10 riding
Chicago Botanic Gardenstandard route52.1 mi · 300 ft climbingOut and back3 h 00–4 h 00 riding
Chicago Botanic Gardenquieter roads54.4 mi · 230 ft climbingOut and back3 h 05–4 h 10 riding

Loops

A round trip that comes home another way. All start and finish in Chicago. Easiest first.

the 606 end to end16.2 mi · 85 ft climbingLoops55 min–1 h 15 riding
the Lakefront Trail, Montrose Point to Jackson Park28.7 mi · 130 ft climbingLoops1 h 40–2 h 10 riding

Big days

Two climbs, or a long loop out of town. All start and finish in Chicago. Easiest first.

the North Shore Channel Trail to the Bahá'í House of Worship35.7 mi · 180 ft climbingBig days2 h 05–2 h 45 riding

Each map is drawn to its own scale, north up; the dot is the start. Elevation is drawn to one scale on every card, coloured by slope as on the ride pages. Easiest first means the shortest estimated riding time at a sporty pace, which counts the climbing.

Rides are modelled from OpenStreetMap and terrain data and are not field-checked yet. Times here are estimates at a sporty pace. Catalogue access does not mean a ride fits your ability or available time. Low traffic stress includes quiet/shared streets, not just separated paths. Check current conditions before you go. Rides start on the Lakefront Trail, across Lake Shore Drive from Buckingham Fountain. The Lakefront Trail is busy near the beaches on summer weekends, and the Park District closes parts of it in high waves and for big events: check closures on stormy days. Rides to the west cross Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Drive, which are busy. The Chicago Botanic Garden charges admission, and you walk your bike inside. The Garfield Park Conservatory is free with a reservation. Riding is best from April to October.

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