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SIUE Trails

Tight and twisty with modest climbing, these trails are prone to overgrowth in the hot summer months.

  • No Recent Update
  • Current Weather
  • Beginner / Intermediate
  • 7.5 miles
  • Multiple Loops
  • Illinois

This trail system is made up of more than 7.5 miles of tight, twisty, all-dirt singletrack in 6 separate trails. Modest elevation gain, thick forest, and smooth hardpack make for rides which will satisfy every rider from beginner to advanced. The trails were designed in such a way that they would be a place not only for beginners to try out mountain biking, but also to allow more advanced riders an opportunity to test their bike handling skills by riding the narrow trails at a more rapid pace.

They are built partially on the site of an old outdoor amphitheater from the 1970’s, better known as the “Mississippi River Festival.” The trails are easily accessible from the numerous bike paths that intertwine the Metro-East, so if you live in the area, driving to the trails is not necessarily required. While all the trails are designed to IMBA standards, because of the all-dirt surface, it is recommended that you not ride these trails immediately following rain.

Please download a map and take it with you, so you will be able to find all the loops, as they are spread out among numerous cross-country running trails.

Directions

Take hwy 255 North past Interstate 270, to New Poag Road. Turn Right or East at the end of the exit ramp. Stay on New Poag Road until the first intersection with a 4 way stop sign. This will be University Drive. Turn Right onto University Drive. The road will immediately bend to the left, at the end of the bend on your right is a gravel road, turn onto the gravel road.

For those of you approaching by bike, there is a trailhead for Trail 2 off of the Delyte Morris Bikeway, which bisects the SIUE campus from Stadium Drive, and eventually connects with the Watershed Bikeway. The trailhead is in between Cougar Lake Dr. and University Dr., just to the east of campus. There is also a trailhead on Trail 3 at the back of Cougar Village behind the Northwestern-most collection of apartments.

MAPS

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Latest trail conditions

Our site utilizes crowd-sourced data to provide the latest conditions and that includes you. Be sure you are logged in first or set up a free account before updating a trail condition.

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10

Dec 2024

From Randy Smith on Tuesday:
SIUE - Trails still greasy in spots. Only checked 4 and 6. Cleared the downed limb on 4 that was an impaling hazard.

07

Dec 2024

From Randy Smith on Saturday:
SIUE - Trails were fine before noon. After that they started getting very greasy from freeze thaw. There is a very pointy tree down with a 2-3 inch limb at chest level down on trail 4 (take SIUE maintenance road down to crossing and make left into trail about half mile in). Didn't have a hand saw so I tied a white trash bag to make it visible until it can be taken out.

28

Oct 2024

From dewey mathews on Monday:
SIUE - Rode parts of all trails, leaves and needles starting to obscure trail in spots, be mindful as can be slippery and hides some of the nasty roots. Otherwise in perfect shape, no brush or debris, well trimmed. Last ride of the season for me , thanks to those who maintain these trails, appreciated! See ya in spring. Ride On.

23

Oct 2024

From dewey mathews on Wednesday:
SIUE - SIUE - Rode trails 12456 and all were in good shape. Special thanks to the players who make the trails great. Dare I say they are in a state of perfection. Fall colors just add to the beauty of these trails. Enjoy.

10

Oct 2024

From Keith Kibort on Thursday:
SIUE - Trails are very nice. Trail 4 behind Cougar village has a clump of trees across trail that are tough to cross over. Will need a sawyer. Also a tree broke off on trail 5 that looks like it come down anytime. There is an event there this weekend. Get out and ride. Thanks to all trail maintenance crews. Keep up the good work.

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