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Sterne’s Fen Nature Preserve loop from Algonquin

Sterne’s Fen Nature Preserve loop from Algonquin

Moderate

3.3

(23)

riders

Sterne’s Fen Nature Preserve loop from Algonquin

03:50

68.4km

250m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 15.8 km for 11.4 km

Open: • sunrise-sunset (otherwise closed)

After 41.2 km for 11.4 km

Open: • sunrise-sunset (otherwise closed)

Waypoints

Start point

Get Directions

25.3 km

McHenry / Illinois Prairie Rail Trail

Highlight • Cycleway

The section of McHenry / Illinois Prairie Rail Trail from Ringwood to McHenry is all asphalted, sometimes smooth, sometimes rough but all in all a decent trail. Suitable for all bicycles but recommend with tyres => 28mm. The trail rolls up and down the countryside, passing McCollum Lake, giving one the opportunity for a quick swim in hot weather. McHenry itself offers many opportunities to eat and drink. The village is very nice clean and many outdoor possibilities to eat and keep an eye on your bike.

Tip by

29.3 km

Ringwood–Richmond: McHenry/Illinois Prairie Trail

Highlight • Cycleway

The stretch of the McHenry / Illinois Prairie Trail Bergseen Richmond and Ringwood is a ver smooth cycling path on hard packed limestone. It is very suitable for road bikes, as well as gravel and MTB. I would highly recommend tyres with widths of =>28mm. The path is well kept, with the exception of within the city limits of Richmond. The trail is paved south of Ringwood all the way down to Oswego, IL with the exception of one or two small sections of hard packed roadbike suitable gravel. In Ringwood itself is a bar located directly on the trail with an outdoor terrace which makes it easy to for one to dine and drink, while being able to keep an eye on your bike.

Tip by

32.7 km

Continue on Harts Road to the end

Highlight • Cycleway

This stretch of Harts Road in the Wildlife Zone is in much better shape than the rest of the road. The pavement is asphalt with a few blemishes here and there but easily rode with tyres => 28mm.

Tip by

34.2 km

McHenry County–Illinois Prairie Trail — Richmond, IL Branch

Highlight • Cycleway

This beautiful well packed and smooth cycle path on hard packed gravel is a joy, until one gets into the Richmond City Limits. It seems the city does not take very well care of their trail under their jurisdiction. The crossings are rough with some short cement edges and some metal objects sticking out. Look before you cross, as they can be rough. Richmond it self is a beautiful village with a very European touch to it. Filled with great restaurants and well preserved brick buildings.

Tip by

35.1 km

Prairie Trail (McHenry County, Illinois)

Highlight • Cycleway

A nicely hard packed gravel trail with a smooth surface for the most part, easily accessible and a lot of cyclists underway on this. This trail cuts through the Glacier Nature Park which one can see a lot of Eagles, Deer and many different species of birds.

Tip by

47.0 km

Cold Springs Park

Nature Reserve

50.2 km

Rough surface between McHenry and Edgewood Road

Highlight • Cycleway

The section of trail between McHenry and Edgewood Road is a part of the trail that needs to be resurfaces. It is rideable but there are places where the roots of trees and shrubs have pushed up the surface creating a bit of a rough ride.

Tip by

54.8 km

Sterne’s Fen Nature Preserve

Highlight • Forest

Enjoy cycling through the beautiful Sterne’s Fen Nature Preserve. This place became an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1994 and offers rugged tree lined paths for biking. It's a perfect spot for a ride not too far from Chicago!

Tip by

57.0 km

Veteran Acres Park: Short, Steep Climbs

Highlight • Cycleway

Who said the Illinois is flat, well it is flat, however the section of McHenry / Illinois Prairie Rail Trail ad add a bit of variety to the rest of the trail which usually has long drawn out grades of max 2%, here there are 4 short but steep climbs hitting 16% in a very dense Forrest spending a bit of shade on very hot Midwest summers. The trail twists and turns through the forest which does not give one a notice that the climbs are going to be steep.

Tip by

68.4 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

50.8 km

10.7 km

5.87 km

1.03 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

47.5 km

10.8 km

10.1 km

118 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (290 m)

Lowest point (230 m)

Weather

Today

Sunday 23 August

23°C

13°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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Sterne’s Fen Nature Preserve loop from Algonquin

McHenry / Illinois Prairie Rail Trail

Ringwood–Richmond: McHenry/Illinois Prairie Trail

Continue on Harts Road to the end

McHenry County–Illinois Prairie Trail — Richmond, IL Branch

Prairie Trail (McHenry County, Illinois)

Rough surface between McHenry and Edgewood Road

Sterne’s Fen Nature Preserve

Veteran Acres Park: Short, Steep Climbs

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