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Sam Vadalabene Trail

4.3 ★★★★☆ 67 Google reviews · Running trail in Alton, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Sam Vadalabene Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedScenic

What runners say about Sam Vadalabene Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (67 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“The paved trail is great and beautiful view”

Easy trail not the safest tho just look where you are going and don't stand under rocks. Very pretty but alot of graffiti and vandalism. Big piasa bird is up on the left when you come in. And some good fishing along the river.

★★★★★ — Kevin , Jun 2024

Great trail and forested area with the bonus of local folklore, caution as parts of the trail does go onto private property, (Please stay out of home owners back yards) and the cave area is "enter at your own risk "

★★★★★ — Wolf , Mar 2024

Great trail to ride. Not really crazy about riding with traffic. The paved trail is great and beautiful view

★★★★★ — Jody , Oct 2023

A favorite! I didn't grow up near the Mississippi but getting to do intervals next to it is amazing. The trail could stand some clean up because of weeds growing through cracks and overgrowth in general in different areas.

★★★★☆ — Sidney , Oct 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 67 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“The paved trail is great and beautiful view”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“The paved trail is great and beautiful view”

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Plan your run at Sam Vadalabene Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Hours

Monday 8 AM–7:30 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–7:30 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–7:30 PM
Thursday 8 AM–7:30 PM
Friday 8 AM–7:30 PM
Saturday 8 AM–7:30 PM
Sunday 8 AM–7:30 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Sam Vadalabene Trail

Great River Rd, Alton, IL 62002

Get directions

Running trails near Alton

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Riverview Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 334 reviews

Alton, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a gazebo and sweeping riverfront views, plus a serene atmosphere.

under a mile away

Olin Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 36 reviews

Alton, IL

under a mile away

1.1 miles away

Russell Commons Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 153 reviews

Alton, IL

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Clean area for dogs and kids featuring bike trails and river views.

1.7 miles away

Hoffman Gardens

4.8 ★★★★★ 31 reviews

Godfrey, IL

3 miLitScenicDog-friendly

1.9 miles away

John M Olin Nature Preserve (Nature Institute)

4.7 ★★★★★ 329 reviews

Godfrey, IL

MixedScenic

Steep limestone bluffs, sinkholes, and other karst formations are highlights of this preserve with varied hiking trails.

1.9 miles away

All running trails in Alton, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.