The Moraine Hills Bike Paths
Moraine Hills Bike Paths Photos

The entrance to the Moraine Hills State Park off of River Road, which is just off of Route 176 (south-east of McHenry, Illinois).

This is actually the River Road Trail which runs right next to River Road (on the left) for a little over a mile and also runs parallel to the main Moraine Hills trails (which are to the right). On this bike trip I actually took the River Road Trail for a couple of miles (to the bridge over the Fox River) and then came back to the Moraine Hills trails.

This is the intersection of the River Road Trail and the Moraine Hills Trails (the opening on the right) which is not marked as you head in this direction (heading north-east). This was the direction that I was originally going so as you can see the sign is not visible from this direction.

A wetlands scene and stream leading into Moraine Hills Park as seen from the River Road Trail.

The tall green and yellow grasses along the River Road Trail. This is just before this trail goes out to where it crosses River Road and then crosses the Fox River.

After crossing the Fox River I got back on to the Moraine Hills Trail here at Junction C (which is on the sign in the distance). Most of these trails are One Way for bikes so you are only supposed to go to the left.

Of course, the River Road Trail is clearly marked when you are already on the Moraine Hills Trails. I actually did not intend to ride the River Road Trail on this trip since my goal was to ride the entire Moraine Hills trail system but it was only a few miles and was interesting to explore a little.

Once I got back on to the Moraine Hills trails I took the path that went under River Road to the southwest side of the park and out to McHenry Dam. The photo above is as you come up to the tunnel that runs under River Road.

This is actually a double tunnel under River Road. I'm not exactly sure what the other section goes under.