Metra / SWS to Palos Park
Palos Dirt Payoff
Best dirt and woods payoff by train, with SWS schedule limitations.
Conditions Only Ready 54 min to good stuff 22.1 mi 3/5 intervals
Decision
Conditions Only dry trails, weekday availability, want woods over speed
Avoid mud season, tight train schedule, after heavy rain
Workout dirt strength / endurance
Surface Dirt: Mixed preserve roads, paths, and dirt-adjacent connectors; choose tires accordingly.
Access
Union Station to Palos Park 42 min typical train time
12 min roll to the useful riding
Great terrain, but the SWS schedule is the limiter; check before committing.
Confidence
Geometry Generated
Surface Inferred
Access Checked
Last checked 2026-05-28
Hazards
- Dirt and wet trail sections · medium Do not treat this as a skinny-tire route after rain.
- SWS schedule gaps · medium Confirm both outbound and return trains before leaving.
Effort Windows
- Palos preserve connectors · 3-12 min Best for strength and over-under riding, not clean road-style intervals.
This is the woods choice. It is not the fastest access and not the cleanest interval plan, but it is the best way in this set to make the day feel like dirt, trees, and legs.
Ride Sheet
Metra Union Station to Palos Park
Access 54 min to good stuff
Workout dirt strength, endurance, skills, mixed-surface exploring
Bailouts Palos Park, Palos Heights, reroute toward SWS stations
Water Palos Park, forest preserve stops when open
Bathrooms preserve areas when open
Best When dry trails, weekday availability, want woods over speed
Avoid mud season, tight train schedule, after heavy rain