The trail honors Jane Addams, renowned humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner who grew up in Cedarville, Illinois, a mere 2 miles from the trail. A round-trip ride totals 26 miles and you cross 21 bridges on the route. Beginning in Freeport, this 10 foot wide crushed limestone trail traverses a heavily wooded area and in fact is tree-shrouded in most areas, though occasionally you get expansive views of the surrounding farmland. The trail surface is in excellent repair despite being used by snowmobiles in the winter, and I saw several road bikes negotiating the trail with no difficulty.
If you travel all the way to the Wisconsin line, the Badger State Trail takes over and will get you to Madison after 40 more miles of riding. Be aware that Wisconsin charges a day use fee for all their state trails ($4 in 2010.) If you want to end your ride in early, the town of Orangeville offers rest and relaxation just 2.5 miles from the Wisconsin line. The trail is at the bottom of this hill...
The northern section of the trail parallels Richland Creek...
Twenty-seven species of trees, 120 species of herbaceous plants, and 25 species of woody shrubs have been identified along the trail. Several areas were blasted through limestone, making for picturesque pedaling...
Trail access with parking, shelters, and restrooms can be found here:
In Freeport -- on Fairview Road, south of U.S. Highway 20, approximately two miles west of Illinois Highway 26
In Orangeville -- on High Street, east of Illinois Highway 26
Red Oak, Red Oak Road (Parking Only)
McConnell Road (Parking and Picnic Table)
The Freeport trailhead parking lot is alongside the Illinois Route 26 Overpass. This concrete bridge is the longest bridge in Illinois to cross a railroad line (now the current Jane Addams Trail) and a creek, while curving and slanting up (or down) hill - all at the same time. Initially completed in 1928 with the opening of the first Illinois Route 26 bypass, the bridge is still in use.
Jane Addams Trail website
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