Project Name

The Path of the Iron Horse

The trail follows the abandoned line of the Peoria and Rock Island Railroad, which first saw trains back in 1871. The "Rail-to-Trail" Advantage means it was built for locomotives, the trail is famously flat with a grade that rarely exceeds 2%. This is why it’s such a great spot for kids to build confidence; there are no steep hills to fight, just smooth riding. The Arched Culvert, just north of the Alta trailhead, we passed the historic arched stone culvert. It’s one of the most photographed spots on the trail and a beautiful reminder of the 19th-century stonework that supported the heavy steam engines.

A Natural Corridor

The trail is only about 50 to 100 feet wide, but it acts as a "linear park" that preserves native Illinois prairie. Between Alta and Princeville, you ride through a "Class B" nature preserve. Depending on the season, you’re flanked by big bluestem grass and vibrant wildflowers like purple coneflower and prairie dock. It’s a birdwatcher’s dream. It’s common to see goldfinches darting across the path or even a hawk circling the open fields that border the tree-lined trail.

The Princeville Pitstop

Princeville was the perfect turnaround point for us because it offers a true "small-town" welcome. We ordered a pizza in Princeville before the return leg is the ultimate motivation! There’s nothing quite like the "victory meal" feeling after a long ride. It’s a great way to support the local businesses that have thrived thanks to the trail's traffic. This trail was ebike friendly, and when we visited the trail was packed within the first mile of Alta. After that, we rarely encountered other people. Thea rode 7 miles of the trail between Alta and Princeville. We are very proud of her and this is a massive milestone!