Des Plaines River Trail – Des Plaines River bridge loop from Mettawa

Running trails & routes

Des Plaines River Trail – Des Plaines River bridge loop from Mettawa

Hard

4.6

(9805)

17,311

runners

Des Plaines River Trail – Des Plaines River bridge loop from Mettawa

02:06

20.3km

50m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

50 m

Des Plaines River Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Des Plaines River Trail is a popular 2 mile popular gravel trail located near Mettawa, Illinois, that runs largely along the water. It is popular with cyclists, walkers, runners, and the occasional horseback rider.

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1.88 km

Des Plaines River Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

You can follow the trail for 56 miles along the Des Plaines River with gorgeous views of local preserves, watersheds, forests, and marshes. The trail is wide packed gravel and …

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2.83 km

Des Plaines River Trail – Half Day Forest Preserve

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Des Plaines River Trail stretches over 56 miles along the Des Plaines River, offering a scenic natural escape through Lake and Cook Counties, just outside Chicago. This multi-use trail …

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8.66 km

Des Plaines River bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The Des Plaines River flows southwards from Wisconsin and down through Illinois. It makes for an excellent cycling companion thanks to the trails that wind alongside it. This bridge spans …

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9.67 km

Wooden Bridge at Half Day County Forest Preserve

Highlight • Bridge

The Half Day County Forest Preserve is a small nature preserve with a mile-long running trail. This path can be connected to the miles of trails within Wright Woods Forest Preserve by using the connector trails.

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17.9 km

MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve

Highlight • Forest

MacArthur Woods is a preserved forest that showcases the original landscape of the eastern Des Plaines River Valley. The area features a diverse mix of plants, creating an important habitat …

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