Explore the Galena River Trail
Head up to any of the hills overlooking Galena – whether at the beautiful Grant Park or even from third-story windows at our Galena Bed and Breakfast, and you’ll undoubtedly see the Galena River Trail. It’s a prominent feature of downtown Galena, running right along side the Galena River that meanders along Main Street and out to the Mighty Mississippi. Apart from being a lovely addition to our already picturesque town, the Galena River Trail also happens to be one of our favorite ways to decompress after a long day.
The Galena River Trail is also just a beautiful way to experience the majestic beauty of this historic town. Whether you need a break from shopping in downtown Galena or just want to work off the delicious breakfast you enjoyed at our Galena Bed and Breakfast, the Galena River Trail has become a common go-to for guests staying with us. It’s perfect for walking, running, and biking. Once you’re on the trail, Galena’s beautiful, tranquil countryside is yours for exploring.
The best part about the Galena River Trail, apart from its abundant natural beauty, of course, is that’s it’s easily walkable from our Galena Bed and Breakfast. Much of Galena is, and that’s one of the things that makes us an excellent choice for Galena lodging! 2023 is the perfect year to experience the Galena River Trail and all the rest of the things we love about this historic little town. Step one is to book your room at our top-rated Galena Bed and Breakfast, the best choice for luxury Galena lodging!
Run, Bike, & Walk the Galena River Trail
Guests visit us at our Galena Bed and Breakfast for a number of reasons, but not least of these is the opportunity to relax and unwind away from home, surrounded by the historic charm and unbeatable natural beauty of this area. To aid in their relaxation we offer sumptuous guest suites and plenty of amenities, but we also like to recommend activities that will complement their stay.
One of the many of these relaxing things to do in Galena, IL is to walk or bike the beautiful Galena River Trail. Travel a few blocks from our Galena Bed and Breakfast down towards the river, and you’ll come across the Meeker Street bridge. On the other side sits the crushed limestone surface of the Galena River Trail, one of our favorite biking and hiking trails in Galena, IL.
For the first portion of the Galena River Trail, you’ll be moving parallel to the city, enjoying different vantage points of the dramatic skyline and historic buildings. Soon, though, you’ll be surrounded by the gorgeous natural scenery Galena is known for. Galena is nestled in what is known as the Driftless Region; an area so named for the uniquely scenic landscapes left untouched during the last glacial period which flattened the remainder of the Midwest.
Instead, what was left behind were steeply rising hills and bluffs that plunge into winding river valleys. The Galena River Trail is one of the many great ways you can experience this beauty firsthand. The Galena River Trail offers nearly 9 miles (one way) of scenic hiking and biking and will take you on a journey through wetlands, patches of wildflowers, and limestone bluffs, ultimately ending at Chestnut Mountain Resort.
Better yet, From the Galena River Trail, you can connect to a variety of other hiking and biking trails in the area. In one direction, you’ll find the Buehler Trail, which will take you from the Meeker Street Bridge 1.7 miles to the beautiful Buehler Preserve.
In the other direction, the Galena River Trail meets up with the Galena Junction Trail and heads towards the Mississippi River and Galena Junction, with plenty of great attractions along the way. Here, it meets up with the Aiken Trail, which you can follow to the Casper Bluff Land & Water Preserve, and even to the Grand Illinois Trail.
Aside from being a relaxing and beautiful place to spend some time walking or biking, the Galena River Trail also happens to be a popular place for birdwatching. If you’re interested in renting a bike so you can explore the full length of the Galena River Trail, we recommend Galena River Outfitters located in downtown Galena.
The Best Galena Lodging Near the River Trail
After you’ve enjoyed a little bit of fresh air and beautiful scenery on the Galena River Trail, we invite you to return to our well-appointed Galena lodging where the relaxation can continue. We offer a number of outdoor patios in the front of and to the side of our beautiful Galena Bed and Breakfast, not to mention a gorgeous and private deck off the third floor of our Galena lodging.
These outdoor spaces are quiet, removed from the crowds of downtown Galena. They are a wonderful place to enjoy your delicious wine and appetizer tray, to chat with your significant other and/or other guests if desired, and to listen to the quiet birdsong of our favorite Galena natives.
If you want to add even more relaxation to your day, consider arranging an in-suite massage with us in advance of your stay. We work with licensed local massage therapists to provide this service to our guests. In no time at all your private, light-filled guest room will be transformed into a tranquil spa to complete your relaxing journey and leave you feeling refreshed.
We’re all about the little things here at our Galena Bed and Breakfast, and it’s this attention to detail and the guest experience that continues to rank us as one of the best choices for Galena lodging. If you’re ready to relax and unwind this spring, book your room at our top-rated Galena lodging today!
