The Vadalabene Bike Route
The Vadalabene Bike Route runs 18 miles along the McAdams Turnpike, and the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, between Alton, IL. and Pere Marquette State Park, just north of Grafton, IL. The trail starts as a separate paved path parallel to the highway, then goes through an elevated tree lined section, then comes back to the road, using a shared roadway on the shoulder of the highway, all the while passing under ancient, wind- sculptured bluffs. The route then passes through Grafton using back streets along the Illinois river before climbing up onto the wooded bluffs overlooking the Brussels Ferry and the Illinois River. It then descends back to parallel IL Route 100, ending at a parking lot at Pere Marquette State Park.
The Piasa Bird, said to ward off evil river spirits by the ancient Indians,
stands guard over the main parking lot.
A Lone Cyclist enjoying the early morning shade.
After a short incline, the trail travels through a tunnel of trees above the surface of the highway.
The scenery along the trail is breath-taking as you roll by the beautiful Alton Lake reservoir of the Mississippi
The Trail utilizes the shoulder of the road where the bluffs come right down to the edge of the road.
The bluffs continue even as you travel through town of Grafton
Antique and Gift shops line IL 100 as it passes through Grafton. There are also several fine rest- aurants and fish stands. The town was officially moved to higher ground after the disastrous 1993 flood, several buildings still have marks showing how high the waters came.
During high water, the new section of the trail traveling through town is under water, forcing the cyclist to use IL 100.
After leaving Grafton, the trail climbs the bluffs briefly.