Expansive, edgy, and often windy, the city of Chicago is not only one of America's largest cities but also boasts a dense concentration of cultural sights to match its size with summer lake-based activity thrown in to seal the deal.
The Oat Hill Mine Road is a choice venue for steep climbing and technical descents via mountain bike.The Oat Hill Mine Road once accessed mercury mines that were responsible for 1/3 of all the mercury production in the United State. The mines are now closed but the road remains, a reminder of the area’s past history.
The climbing on Oat Hill Mine Road is steep and technical, through rock gardens and up combinations of dirt road and bedrock. Once riders reach the turn around location at Aetna Springs Trailhead, the descent down the same roadway is challenging through the same maze of obstacles.
The Oat Hill Mine roadway is protected by tree canopy, which helps to keep it cool on hot summer days.
Details
Length:
16 miles
Difficulty:
Some hard technical sections with lots of climbing
Aerobic Difficulty:
Moderate to Advanced
Time To Allow:
3 - 5 hours Depends on fitness and skill level
Season:
Spring - Fall
Additional Details:
The Oat Hill Mine Road is multi-use and riders should understand and practice appropriate right of way protocol. Hikers are common on this ride. Riders should also carry a first aid kit, bike repair kit and extra water and food. A map will come in handy due to the number of trails in the area and there is a seasonal closure of the upper part of this roadway.
Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Napa Valley. More Visitor Guides are available in Illinois. Click here to view them all!
Vallejo Bay Area
Vallejo
Bay AreaYour Bay Area Fun Starts Here. Explore San Francisco and the Napa/Sonoma wine country and stay in our affordable hotels. Attractions include Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Mare Island Historic Park, Jelly Belly factory, Sonoma Raceway, world-class golf, unique shopping, a thriving downtown arts & entertainment district, and direct ferry service to and from San Francisco! Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Specialty Guides
Maverick Helicopters Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and California
Maverick Helicopters
Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and CaliforniaUnforgettable Tours Offered in Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and California. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Switch to Mobile Browser Mode
We offer a compact version of Go-Illinois for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Illinois on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop.