DAY BIKING

Chicago’s Lakeshore path to Northerly Island

Belmont Harbor, IL

May 20 & 22, 2025

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May 20 & 22, 2025

4-hours

$25.00

If this is your first hike of the season, please first register for the season and fill out this mandatory Annual Registration Waiver.

Difficulty rating

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Miles

Approximately 19 miles

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Terrain

Our route is a relatively flat and paved except for 1/4 mile of gravel section near Northerly Island.

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What to Expect: This is amost a full day for Trailbounders. We will meet at Montrose Harbor and bike a total of 19 miles. The Lakeshore path to Northerly Island is a delight, and we will stop for breaks and scenary. At Northerly Island, we will enjoy our sack lunch, and explore the restoration progress of the 91-acre peninusula that juts out into Lake Michigan. Northerly Island is one of Chicago’s best kept secrets with true transformation taking place with over 150 native plants and shrubs species to create a habitat that already has attracted the birds, waterfowl, and butterflies. Expect this to be a 4 hour experience.

Please make sure your bike is in working order, and that you are able to ride 19 miles before the trip. We also welcome e-bikers that keep at our pace.

Divvy Bikes are an option to rent in the city. It is $18.10 for the day for a regular bike or $26.00/hour for an E-bike.

Washroom

Facilites at N. Recreation Dr., Chicago

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What to Bring

  • Water

  • Sunglasses/sunscreen

  • Camera/phone

  • Rainwear as needed

  • Helmet

  • Bike lock

  • Bug spray, just in case

  • Dress in layers for comfort

  • Emergency Medical Information form filled out (this is kept in your backpack, and only accessed in emergencies)

  • Sack lunch if desired

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Optional Lunch

We will plan on having a picnic lunch at Northerly Island. You may bring your own or pick up lunch at Burnham Harbor Cafe

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Times

We meet by 9:45 am and begin our biking at 10:00 am and return about 2:00.  As a courtesy to all women, please arrive early, to get your bike ready and use washroom.

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Let’s Fully Savor the Outdoor Serenity

We ask you kindly to silence your phones and keep conversations positive.

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Weather

We have fun in all kinds of weather, so we rarely postpone.  But, we will most likely cancel if it looks like rain on this bike trip. We will email you before 8am the morning of the bike.

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You Will Learn

Native spring flowers at Northerely Island

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Driving Directions

Address: 3575 N Recreation Dr, Chicago, IL 60657

Park on N. Recreation Dr near the tennis courts and baseball fields.

Parking is free before Memorial Day.

Guides

Karen, aka "Cairn"  

Cancellations

If you desire to cancel your day hike, you can reschedule for a different hike within seven days:

  1. Please email hello@trailboundtrip.com, and state your name, and desired new hike day.

  2. You will receive confirmation for this new day hike if there is room on the trip.

Refunds

Refunds are given when Trailbound Trips cancels a hike. Trailbound Trips will cancel and refund a hike for two reasons:

  1. There needs to be a minimum of three people.  You will be notified 24 hours in advance if this is the case.

  2. The weather is dangerous, ie. lightning or a major storm.  You will be notified before 8 a.m. on the day of the hike.