The Best Trails in Illinois (United States)

Starved Rock SP

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Hiking

manel 1

Distance

3.07mi

Elevation +

869f

TrailRank

71| 5.0

la ruta sha tallat a baixde wildcat canyon.. uns 3-4km abans del lodge Visitor Center-Starved Rock-French Canyon (low)-Lovers Leap Overloop-Pontiac canyon(high)-Wildcat Canyon(high)-Sandstone Point Overlook-Lonetree C...

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Waterfall Glenn Forest Preserve

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Hiking

m0rtim3r

Distance

10.37mi

Elevation +

236f

TrailRank

67

Short Hike in the Waterfall Glenn Forest Preserve. The route is very easy, always on grovel roads, with practically no elevation gain.

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Champaign - Atwood - Arthur - Chesterville -Bourbon -Tuscola -Champaign

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Bicycle Touring

peregrina2000

Distance

94.46mi

Elevation +

449f

TrailRank

62

Champaign - Atwood - Arthur - Chesterville -Bourbon -Tuscola -Champaign Houses in Tuscola are located at or near the following places: — Southwest intersection of Washington and Van Allen — South Niles and Houghton ...

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Palos trail

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Hiking

jwinthrop

Distance

6.18mi

Elevation +

476f

TrailRank

52| 5.0

Very similar to the Sag Valley trail, this trail is like a nice nature walk through the woods. It is very buggy so you are advised to bring insect repellent. This trail seems to have all kinds of side paths that don't le...

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Volo Bog nature preserve

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

4.28mi

Elevation +

98f

TrailRank

52

Loops around a natural bog with some pretty unique vegetation. Boardwalk into the marsh is in good shape initially and has great views but fell in disrepair, unfortunately, before you get deeper into the bog. Loop itself...

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Starved Rock State Park

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Hiking

Raider_CR506

Distance

2.76mi

Elevation +

482f

TrailRank

50

Starved Rock State Park VOTED THE #1 ATTRACTION IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS Starved Rock Park is a world apart from anything else in Illinois! You will know it the minute you enter the park, as you wind your car through...

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Beverly lake trails

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

6.12mi

Elevation +

364f

TrailRank

38

Trails between penny road pond and Beverly lake. Starting from penny road, the first section is heavily forested; narrow trail mostly used for horseback riding. Closer to Beverly Lake, the trail widens out and become mos...

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Bruner family forest preserve

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

4.92mi

Elevation +

187f

TrailRank

37

One way walk; Starts at the dam in Carpentersville and ends at buffalo park in Algonquin. Mostly prairie, with oak groves near the fox river. Lots of wildflowers. gravel most of the way, but there is a bit of a scramble ...

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Catherine Chevalier Woods Forest Preserve | Chicago

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Baby Stroller

TRAVELPHOTOBOX

Distance

2.75mi

Elevation +

3f

TrailRank

36

The Catherine Chevalier Woods Forest Preserve is a 338-acre nature preserve along the Des Plaines River greenway. This is one part of the Chicago area where a pedestrian-bicycle path system exists. It provides habitat fo...

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Boone creek loop and horse trail combined

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

3.97mi

Elevation +

115f

TrailRank

36

This is a combination of the Boone creek loop and the horse trail that runs outside it. One of the waypoints (nr 4) shows you how to cross over from one to the other. The crossover trail sees little use and is not shown ...

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Brookdale preserve

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

6.41mi

Elevation +

141f

TrailRank

36

Trails on the east side of Brookdale preserve. Slight detour following deep cut road due to trail being closed for reconstruction. Mostly mown prairie terrain, some gravel paths in the NE section. NE section not as well ...

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Black hawk springs forest preserve

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

5.80mi

Elevation +

217f

TrailRank

35

The trail is actually 3.4 miles loop. Mostly wooded and close to the river. Nice views from the banks.

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Deer run forest preserve

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

4.11mi

Elevation +

33f

TrailRank

34

Trails from kishwaukee river onto prairie and in oak forested areas. Map of trails attached in photos. Great place for a short walk or a much longer trek. This place gets very wet though in spring or after a big rainstor...

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Marengo ridge prairie and forest trails

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

4.04mi

Elevation +

180f

TrailRank

34

Trail has little elevation change and is in excellent condition. Very accessible, with the exception of the nature trail in the far north, which is narrow and rough in places.

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Braeside metro stop on UPRR Northline to Linden St Purple Line CTA

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Walking

TMChicago

Distance

7.62mi

Elevation +

10f

TrailRank

33

Walk from the Lake/Cook County border to CTA end of the line at Linden St in Wilmette. Mostly on the Green Bay Trail. The first 2.5 miles are the prettiest- the rest is mostly on the well tended trail next to the train t...

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Castle rock state park. All northern loops combined

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

4.16mi

Elevation +

358f

TrailRank

33

A combination of all the trails in the northern section of this park. Mostly forested with some short excursions into prairie land. Pretty buggy in early July.

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Spring creek trails southern section

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

4.90mi

Elevation +

118f

TrailRank

32

Parking at penny road pond. The trail is dual use, horses and hiking. Mostly forested, buckthorn patches and some old growth. Trail is boggy and uneven in places, not very suitable for wheel chair access. Spring creek cu...

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Glacial park north section

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

5.60mi

Elevation +

194f

TrailRank

31

Trail starts from the west side of glacial park and follows the nippersink. Path not as well maintained N of the service road but easily navigable. Had to turn back due to flooding just before bridge over the creek, nort...

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Fox bluff area - all trails

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

3.14mi

Elevation +

203f

TrailRank

31

Oak forest paths, quite hilly and nice water features. Trails are clear but can get a little rough at times. Not readily wheel chair accessible.

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Rush creek preserve outer trails

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

4.25mi

Elevation +

115f

TrailRank

31

Part of the Outerloop of horse trails at rush creek. Note some fording required to get across Rush creek

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Oak ridge forest preserve

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

5.15mi

Elevation +

56f

TrailRank

31

Beautiful trails meandering through oak forest and prairie. Trail descends and then follows kishwaukee river. Low lying areas can be boggy.

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Dixie Briggs Fromm conservation area

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

2.94mi

Elevation +

177f

TrailRank

31

Restored prairie and woodland area with mowed and dirt paths. Prairie stretches are very accessible but the woodland paths can be rutty. Distance for all paths adds up to about 3 miles. Lots of variation in plant life. G...

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Tunnel Hill Road - from just north of tunnel to Vienna

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Road Bike

TacoDave-o

Distance

6.67mi

Elevation +

20f

TrailRank

30

This was not recorded correctly. It’s 9.3 miles and a lot longer than 28 mins. Fine gravel. Much is shaded. Several bridges.

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Silver creek preserve north

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

3.22mi

Elevation +

144f

TrailRank

30

Trail starts at prairie education center and loops through prairie. Spur through oak grove ends up at a quiet spot on the fox river.

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Lyons prairie and Hickory Grove conservation area

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Hiking

vav66

Distance

5.52mi

Elevation +

184f

TrailRank

30

Combination of horse and walking trails. Well maintained and easily accessible. Maps available but not all trails are shown....

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