One of Illinois' newest and finest recreational attractions is literally right outside your door.

The Grand Illinois Trail is now nearing completion, with the 70-mile Hennepin Canal Trail from west of Geneseo to east of Princeton formally opening in June. The trail system has been a top priority for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for the past eight years.

"Our idea was: Think BIG," said Dick Westfall, supervisor of the state's greenways and trails division. According to Westfall, "what started out as a simple idea has now become a growing network of trails through northern Illinois, with spurs and links to local and regional trail systems, and a growing partnership of communities, agencies and organizations." More than 90 municipal and governmental entities have partnered in the project.

This ambitious trail system stretches across northern Illinois for 525 miles. The western section is part of the Mississippi River Trail, and the southern section is a branch of the continent-spanning American Discovery Trail. The Grand Illinois Trail offers a great way to explore the quiet natural beauty of Illinois, along with the attractions of many of the state's large and small communities.

On the Grand Illinois Trail, you find that Illinois is more than a flat field of corn and soybeans. The trail helps you to see the state more fully as its route runs through the major cities of Joliet, Moline, Rockford and Elgin and country towns such as Utica, Tiskilwa, Port Byron, Capron and Richmond. The trail also rambles along the Fox, Illinois, Rock and Mississippi rivers. And it goes through Starved Rock, Buffalo Rock, Mississippi Palisades, Lake Le-Aqua-Na and Rock Cut state parks.

As a connected system of trails, the Grand Illinois uses a number of well-known, well-loved trails that include the Illinois Prairie Path, the I & M and the Fox River Trail. By linking these together, the IDNR has created the nation's longest loop trail. It's possible (and exciting) to dip your bike tire in the waters of Lake Michigan and then trek west to the Father of Waters, the Mighty Mississippi.

Ride the Grand Illinois Trail and you find that Illinois has its own special charm. The Grand Illinois Trail route lets you get acquainted with the state's wildlife, geographic and historic features. Bald eagles sweep across the Illinois River at Starved Rock, site of one of the state's largest native settlements. Painted turtles bask in luxury under the July sun in the Hennepin Canal alongside historic canal architecture. Wild turkeys bob and wobble here and there across the edges of farm fields.

You ride through flowering prairies and across old glacial plains.

The trail route passes along some of the earliest true trails in the state, routes used by Native Americans, white traders, soldiers, stagecoaches, canal packet boats, river steamboats and early railroad and interurban lines. Abraham Lincoln debated at Ottawa and Freeport. The Black Hawk War took place across this region. And close to today's trail, Ulysses S. Grant drilled his first troops.

There are a variety of surfaces to the Grand Illinois Trail and some portions follow along low-volume country roads. Some sections are great for roller-blading, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and horseback riding.

The IDNR's Trail Blazer program rewards you when you complete the great loop. And the League of Illinois Bicyclists has just initiated the first Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Ride (GITAP). This ride will use the GIT structure for a first-hand spin around the state, stopping at state parks along the way. This first GITAP is already fully booked for June, with over 175 riders participating.

I think the very best thing about the Grand Illinois Trail is that it is a fabulous recreation resource that is so close at hand, and so accessible - so easy to use. The physical challenge can't be resisted and it's easy to take it in segments. Add the segments together, and you complete the route.

Todd Volker is author of the soon-to-be-published "The Complete Grand Illinois Trail Guidebook," which can be advance-ordered through First Serve Press at 800-433-8868.