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Level: Intermediate
Length: 6 mi (9.7 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +110/ -103 ft
Total: 18 riders
 

Mountain Biking Lake View Park Trails

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#37 of 128 mountain bike trails in Illinois
#4,034 in the world

First trailhead (Lakeview side) beyond the closed gates down the paved road on the right about 100 ft past the gate. This will take you to the Valley run. Very fast and challenging trail with a few "air" opportunities. Quick turns and narrow wooden bridges are plenty so be on your toes. Watch out for Turtles. Follow the trail along the lake and you will find a split in the trail.
1) To the right you will find Heartbreak Hill. A challenging climb that will take you to the top of Lakeview into a winding trail that drops into Willemberg Hill. A fast terraced, hill that will test your descending skills. Across the bridge at the bottom, let off the brakes, catch some air and up the run off hill. Watch for riders and hikers on the cross path.
2) To the left you will drop to a swampy area and cross a long bridge then a short bridge that takes you to the most challenging climb out here. Many a rider has been humbled on this climb. Make it to the top and you will be rewarded with the many twisting snappy turns of the Orange and Green trails. (you are now in Woodyard park) These trails weave in and out of the ravines offering some technical switchbacks and long flowing speed sections that will keep you guessing and your heart rate up. Follow the Orange trail south and you will find a metal bridge at the bottom of a very technical but short descent. Cross the bridge, follow the rocky path along the lake to the main lake parking area. Continue along the road around the south side of the lake, past the spillway to the dam. Ride across the dam and you will find a wide flowing trail that takes you across a narrow land bridge. Past there the trail gets more advanced. Use caution. The trail is very narrow and off camber. This trail comes out at the bottom of the paved road, south of the Lakeview parking area.

Other trailhead is straight south on the paved road, up the paved hill. This will take you to the ridgeline run. It is very fast but lots of roots will challenge you. This trail has a great flow to build the speed you will need to get up the rooty run to the south end. Half way down the ridgeline there is a trail to the right which will drop you down to the valley.

The trails are very technical. Good descents and tough climbs. There is a main outer loop with a central trail running center of valley. Several other trails run down from the outer loop to the center trail for different options on routes to mix things up a bit and keep it fun. Have not got exact measure on distance of trails. Just an estimate.

More trails are being added so come back often and check them out.

First added by searsandrewj on Feb 11, 2013. Last updated Apr 28, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: yes
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: yes
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
Turn onto Mckinley ave. Right by renewable energy plant. Go to end of road parking lot just past water treatment plant. Ride or hike. Very challenging. The other trailhead is in Woodyard Park. This will get you onto the Woodyard Trails. There is access to the Orange, Red and Blue trails here from 3 different trail entrances. Woodyard Park is aprox 1 mile South of Charleston on Rt 130. Coming from the south after you cross the river the park is just about to the top of the hill. From the north the park is on the left just as you start down hill tword the river.


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aaronlock (on Nov 24, 2018)
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Dry (on Oct 27, 2018)
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