The best gravel rides around Hickory Hills

The gravel bike trails around Hickory Hills, primarily within the Palos Forest Preserves, feature a diverse landscape of rolling hills, mature oak and hickory forests, and wetlands. You'll encounter extensive unpaved trails, with some areas offering elevations over 150 feet above the surrounding landscape. The routes often combine both paved and unpaved surfaces, providing a varied riding experience.

Yes, there are several easy gravel bike routes. For instance, the Sag Valley Forest Preserve – Forty Acre Woods loop from Palos Township is an easy 8 km ride. Another accessible option is the Saganashkee Slough – Cal-Sag Trail loop from Site A, which covers about 26 km and is also rated easy, making it great for those new to gravel biking.

While exploring the gravel trails, particularly in the Palos Forest Preserves, you can encounter several natural features. Keep an eye out for various lakes and sloughs like Saganashkee Slough, Bullfrog Lake, and Turtlehead Lake. The trails also pass through significant wooded areas such as McClaughry Springs Woods, offering scenic views of the mature oak and hickory forests.

The Palos Forest Preserves, where many of the Hickory Hills gravel trails are located, offers a range of routes, including easy options that can be suitable for families. The varied terrain and natural settings provide an engaging environment for riders of different skill levels. Always check the specific route details for distance and elevation to ensure it matches your family's capabilities.

The gravel biking routes around Hickory Hills are highly regarded by the komoot community, holding an average score of 4.5 stars from 2 reviews. Over 50 gravel bikers have used komoot to explore this area, often praising the diverse terrain, rolling hills, and the extensive network of unpaved trails through the oak and hickory forests.

Yes, many of the popular gravel bike routes around Hickory Hills are designed as loops. For example, the Sag Valley Forest Preserve – McClaughry Springs Woods loop from Willow Springs and the Forty Acre Woods – Sag Valley Forest Preserve loop from Tampier Greenway Family Picnic Area are both excellent circular options, allowing you to start and end at the same point.

The Palos Forest Preserves offer enjoyable gravel biking experiences across multiple seasons. Spring and autumn generally provide pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery with changing foliage. Summer can be warm, but the shaded forest trails offer some relief. Winter biking is possible, but conditions may vary with snow and ice, so checking local trail conditions is advisable.

Yes, the Palos Forest Preserves are home to diverse wildlife. While cycling, you might spot white-tailed deer, foxes, and turkeys. The area is also a significant habitat for numerous migratory and resident bird species, making it a great place for birdwatching alongside your ride.

The Palos Forest Preserves offer various parking areas conveniently located near trailheads. For instance, routes like the Forty Acre Woods – Sag Valley Forest Preserve loop start from the Tampier Greenway Family Picnic Area, which typically has parking facilities. It's always a good idea to check specific trailhead information for parking availability before your ride.

While the Palos Forest Preserves are primarily natural areas, there are picnic areas scattered throughout. For cafes and more extensive refreshment options, you would typically find them in the nearby towns and communities surrounding the preserves, such as Willow Springs or Palos Township, which are common starting points for many routes.

The longest route featured in this guide is the Columbia Woods – Sawmill Creek loop from Willow Springs. This trail spans approximately 46.9 kilometers (29.2 miles) and typically takes around 3 hours and 18 minutes to complete, leading through forest preserves and alongside waterways.