Green Bay Trail
The Green Bay Trail begins in the center of Wilmette, Illinois and extends north approximately 9 miles, generally parallel to the Union Pacific/North Line of the Metra commuter rail network, through the affluent Chicago suburbs of Kenilworth, Winnetka, Hubbard Woods and Glencoe. The trail can be used to connect to nearby public lakefront beaches including Gilson Park in Wilmette and Glencoe Beach in Glencoe. The pavement is generally asphalt or crushed stone, and part of the trail is on village streets. Along the trail one passes majestic homes, iconic train stations, beautiful wildflowers and local parks, sometimes under the shade of trees.
Details
Location
The southern end of the trail begins on Wilmette Avenue in Wilmette, just east of Green Bay Road and very close to the Wilmette Metra Station. The northern end is at Lake Cook Road near Green Bay Road on the Glencoe/Highland Park border where it connects with the Robert McClory Bike Path, the Braeside Metra Station and a connector trail through the Chicago Botanic Garden to the North Branch Trail which is described on this website. A map of the trail may be found at here.
Managed By
The park district of each town that the trail passes through
Distance from Downtown Chicago
17 miles to the southern end of the trail from the center of town and 24 miles to the northern end of the trail
How To Get There
Accessibility
The southern portion of the trail is paved with asphalt but parts of it are very narrow and sometimes the trail is on the street. The northern portion is paved with crushed stone. There are accessible parking spaces at Metra Rail stations.
Things To Do
Biking, Hiking, Inline Skating, Jogging, Running and Wildflowers.
Fun Facts
Stagecoaches began ferrying passengers from Chicago to Green Bay, Wisconsin along the trail in 1836.
Other Information
There are a few water fountains but no rest rooms along the trail. Rest rooms are available at the Chicago Botanical Garden. Parking is available at Metra Rail stations and along some nearby streets (read parking restriction signs carefully).
ONE-WAY BIKING/HIKING OPTIONS WITH MASS TRANSIT: Take Metra Union Pacific North Line from Ogilvie Transportation Center or Clybourn to Wilmette which is at the southern end of the trail or the CTA Purple Line to Linden which is 1 mile east of the southern end of the trail and return from the Metra Braeside Station on the Union Pacific North Line at the north end of the trail to Ogilvie Transportation Center or Clybourn or for those using the CTA Purple Line, to Wilmette Metra Station. This itinerary can also be done in reverse. Please consult the Overview section for more information on transporting bicycles on mass transit.
Eats
Tasty breakfasts and lunches can be obtained at Hometown Coffee and Juice which has locations close to the trail at 749 Elm Street in Winnetka and 700 Vernon Avenue in Glencoe.
Nearby Public Lands Worth Visiting
Chicago Botanical Garden which is described on this website and which can be reached by a short connector trail just south of Lake Cook Road in Glencoe and Turnbull Woods Forest Preserve
Best Time To Visit
All year
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