BIKING THE PALATINE TRAIL

The Palatine Trail is one of the first "linear parks" in the area, with its conception dating back to 1963. It uses the abandoned Rockford Traction Line right-of-way for a section, travels alongside Palatine Hills Golf Course, and also follows a power corridor for a section. It is asphalt surface and begins at Deer Grove Forest Preserve (Dundee Road Route 68 and Quentin Road). There is also a 3.9 mile connector trail and loop through Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Its other terminus is at Maple Park at Winston Drive and Anderson Drive, although I always continue south on Winston, crossing Palatine Road at the traffic signal, and then turn left onto Frontage Road and take that around to Twin Lakes Recreation Area, which has a nice loop trail, a concession stand, and washrooms.

Other connectors (sometimes streets) take you to other sections of Palatine's bike trails, including to and around Harper College and then north on Algonquin Road to Route 59. All the Palatine bike routes can be found on this page.

This is the start of the trail on the south side of Dundee Road just east of Quentin Road. The first section goes through some woods and is the old railroad right-of-way. Palatine Hills Golf Course is to the left and homes are to the right. Then the trail crosses Smith Street, along Hamilton Reservoir, goes past the library, and under Hicks Road.

After biking through a viaduct under Hicks Road, you bike east under the power towers for a while before turning south again along Salt Creek until the trail ends at Maple Park. I then continue another mile or so south to Twin Lakes Recreation Area where there is a nice loop trail, restrooms, snack bar, and water.

This is Twin Lakes which offers picnic areas, sand volleyball, boat rentals, a 9 hole golf course, and a driving range. Although the Palatine Trail per se is only about 5 miles long, by continuing to here and also biking the loop in Deer Grove Forest Preserve, you get a nice 18 mile ride.