Cal-Sag Trail Tour

The longest trail in the Chicago Southland is the Cal Sag Trail. The Cal Sag Trail is a heavily trafficked, out and back trail that will eventually span 26 miles between the Palos Heights area and the Burnham Greenway near the Indiana border. It connects five regional multi-use trails, creating a Chicago Southland trail system that stretches over 100 miles. It also links three marinas, three golf courses and six nature/forest preserves.

Parking Locations:

• Freedom Park - 131st Street & Cicero Avenue, Alsip, IL
• 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights, IL (really crowded)
• 86th Avenue & IL-83, Palos Park, IL (often crowded)
• Teason's Woods - 104th Ave south of IL-83, Palos Park, IL

Tour Stops:

1. Swap-O-Rama Flea Market
2. Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
3. Palos Heights 9/11 and Veterans Memorial
4. Art Garden of Palos Heights
5. Swallow Cliff Stairs

This tour is brought to you by:

Thank you to the following organizations for submitting trail information: Chicago Southland's 62 Municipalities, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Active Transportation Alliance and South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association.

Franklins Public House

12306 S Harlem Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463

(708) 671-8959 Parched or forget to pack a snack? Franklins Public House has you covered. Carefully curated craft beers, top-notch scotch, and whiskey along with the best wine list in the south suburbs. A wide selection of unique appetizers is the perfect starter before indulging in their signature wine-braised pot roast or house-smoked brisket and pulled pork. Absolutely delicious! Open M,W,Th 11AM-10PM; F-Sa 11AM-11PM; Su 11AM-9PM; Bike Rack - Yes at Fire Station

Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens

7402 Lake Katherine Dr, Palos Heights, IL 60463

(708) 361-1873 If getting one with nature is your way of destressing and/or you’re looking to exercise in a beautiful, scenic environment then the 85 acres at Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens is the place for you! With over 6 miles of hiking trails, woodlands, prairie, wetlands, gardens, live animal exhibits, along with countless special events and educational programs, it’s an adventure the whole family will love! Open daily dawn to dusk; Nature Center M-Sa 9AM-5PM; Su 10AM-1PM; Bike Rack - Yes

Palos Heights 9/11 and Veterans Memorial

7607 W College Dr, Palos Heights

(708) 361-1800 Pay Tribute year-round to the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom at Memorial Park in Palos Heights. Additionally, there’s an amazing 9/11 memorial statue that recognizes the lives we tragically lost on September 11, 2001. Open daily dawn to dusk; Bike Rack - Yes by the Pool, less than a block away

Rooftop Tap

12231 S Harlem Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463

(708) 361-1226 Parched or forget to pack a snack? Rooftop Tap has you covered. Serving tasty burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads, their casual kid friendly sports bar ambiance has something for everyone! Daily food and drink specials along with a beautiful rooftop view and live music makes Rooftop Tap the place to be! Open daily 12PM-12AM; Bike Rack - Yes at Fire Station

Sculpture Collection in Palos Heights

123rd & Harlem Avenue (behind the fire station) Palos Heights, IL 60463

(708) 361-1800 Across the street from the Fire Station, just a block west of the downtown Palos Heights business district, you’ll find a collection of unique and inspiring outdoor sculptures and eco-friendly gardens. The garden features both local and national artists and includes two stunning murals. Open daily dawn to dusk; Bike Rack - Yes at Fire Station

Swallow Cliff Stairs

Sag Valley Trail, Palos Park, IL 60464

(773) 792-0149 Explore the Swallow Cliff Stairs, part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, offering a breathtaking 100-foot bluff with 125 limestone steps in the 800-acre nature preserve. Incredibly popular with exercise enthusiasts, don’t be afraid to venture off on the unpaved trails of the Sag Valley Trail System and experience the woodlands, marshes and sedge meadows filled with the tunes of singing birds. Open daily dawn to dusk; Bike Rack - Yes

Swap-O-Rama Flea Market

4350 W 129th St, Alsip, IL 60803

(708) 344-7300 Do you love searching for that incredible deal? Look no further than the Swap-O-Rama Flea Market in Alsip just a stone’s throw away from the Cal-Sag Trail. Over 18,000 customers visit every weekend to find special treasures from roughly 700 weekend vendors. Cost ranges between $.50-$2, kids 6 and under are free. Open W 7AM-2PM outdoors only; Sa-Su 7AM-4PM indoors & outdoors; Bike Rack - Yes

Safety Info

You should consult your physician before starting any exercise program. Bicycling is an activity with risk of personal injury. My City Bikes and its affiliates are not responsible in any capacity for harm or injury that may occur as a result of bicycling. You are solely responsible for your safety while biking.