First trailhead (Lakeview side) beyond the closed gates down the paved road on the right about 100 ft past the gate. This will take you to the Valley run. Very fast and challenging trail with a few "air" opportunities. Quick turns and narrow wooden bridges are plenty so be on your toes. Watch out for Turtles. Follow the trail along the lake and you will find a split in the trail.
1) To the right you will find Heartbreak Hill. A challenging climb that will take you to the top of Lakeview into a winding trail that drops into Willemberg Hill. A fast terraced, hill that will test your descending skills. Across the bridge at the bottom, let off the brakes, catch some air and up the run off hill. Watch for riders and hikers on the cross path.
2) To the left you will drop to a swampy area and cross a long bridge then a short bridge that takes you to the most challenging climb out here. Many a rider has been humbled on this climb. Make it to the top and you will be rewarded with the many twisting snappy turns of the Orange and Green trails. (you are now in Woodyard park) These trails weave in and out of the ravines offering some technical switchbacks and long flowing speed sections that will keep you guessing and your heart rate up. Follow the Orange trail south and you will find a metal bridge at the bottom of a very technical but short descent. Cross the bridge, follow the rocky path along the lake to the main lake parking area. Continue along the road around the south side of the lake, past the spillway to the dam. Ride across the dam and you will find a wide flowing trail that takes you across a narrow land bridge. Past there the trail gets more advanced. Use caution. The trail is very narrow and off camber. This trail comes out at the bottom of the paved road, south of the Lakeview parking area.
Other trailhead is straight south on the paved road, up the paved hill. This will take you to the ridgeline run. It is very fast but lots of roots will challenge you. This trail has a great flow to build the speed you will need to get up the rooty run to the south end. Half way down the ridgeline there is a trail to the right which will drop you down to the valley.
The trails are very technical. Good descents and tough climbs. There is a main outer loop with a central trail running center of valley. Several other trails run down from the outer loop to the center trail for different options on routes to mix things up a bit and keep it fun. Have not got exact measure on distance of trails. Just an estimate.
More trails are being added so come back often and check them out.
Trail has not been reviewed recently so here is a more recent review. There are nearly 9 miles of trails. Mostly singletrack. The trails have a bit of everything to offer from smooth easy flowing trails to technical root covered climbs, fast descents, some jumps, some logs to hop over. Most of the technical stuff has a bypass option. Some of the trails/climbs require a greater level of fitness than some of the other trails in central east Illinois.
| ThankGreat trails that flow and offer something for all skills levels. A great climb from lakeview to woodyard is sure to get the heart rate up.
| ThankThis is a great set of trails on the edge of Charleston. Definitely worth a ride if you are within the area. There are some decent climbs/decents and some flat fast sections also. There's a good 4 miles of trails that can be lapped if you need to get more miles in.
| ThankI give the Trail 3 stars based on the lack of markings and overall small size. But, I give it a 4 on the few downhills and consequent climbs that are there. Some one is maintaining this trail or it is getting alot of use. The trail has nice bridges and is well maintained. Even after doing a few loops I only came up with about 3 miles of trail. If there are more out there I didn't see it. Although there were a few trails that kind of ran out into overgrowth that may have lead somewhere, but I couldn't tell. This is definitely somewhere I'll be back too if I'm in the area.
| ThankClaustrophobic with too many trails in too small an area. You don't really get a sense of being in Nature as you ride through. Have to stop and go around fishermen often.
| ThankNot worth the drive. You end up riding the same trail over and over to get back to a short down hill or climb. Needs more work to make it flow better.
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