The first 3.2-mile section of the planned 35-mile Millennium Trail to connect central, western and northern Lake County communities and Forest Preserves opened in fall 2002. Hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and cross-country skiers all are welcome to enjoy that section of the trail, which runs from a parking area off Fairfield Road at Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda east to Gilmer Road near Mundelein.
From Gilmer Road going east it connects with the North Shore Trail along the edge of Hawley Street. This section was developed by and is managed by the Lake County Department of Transportation. The North Shore Trail is open to hikers and bicyclists. The North Shore Path follows streets to the east side of Mundelein, and then follows an old railroad bed through Libertyville. It connects with the Lake County Forest Preserves' Des Plaines River Trail on the east side of Libertyville and also runs further east to connect with Lake County Department of Transportation's McClory Trail in Lake Bluff.
Planned Trail Route
Elsewhere, the Lake County Forest Preserves are purchasing lands that will help form the route for the trail as it curves north and east from Singing Hills, to and through Round Lake area communities to Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve near Grayslake. There it will head north through Fourth Lake Forest Preserve and Bonner Heritage Farm to McDonald Woods Forest Preserve near Lindenhurst. Eventually, it will run east from there to connect with the northern section of the Des Plaines River Trail near Wadsworth.
Fort Hill Trail
Two-mile stretch of gravel trail called "Fort Hill Trail" connects Gilmer Road to the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Millennium Trail/Lakewood Forest Preserve trail systems. A future trail tunnel under Gilmer Road will extend the trail east to Ray Lake Forest Preserve. The Fort Hill Trail parking area is located on the west side of Gilmer Road, north of Route 176. |
