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Illinois

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Gems in Illinois - 8

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gem Favorite Thunderbird Effigy Mound was constructed by Native Americans 1000 years ago, with over a 200 foot wingspan!

Thunderbird Effigy Mound

(1) Galena, IL
gem Favorite Stamina!

Indian Kitchen

(3) Golconda, IL
gem Favorite View of Burden Falls looking into breakdown.

Burden Falls

(3) Carrier…, IL
gem Favorite The Mississippi River meanders in the distance on a beautiful fall day.

Cooke Overlook

(3) Galena, IL
gem Favorite Taking a break in Saltpeter Cave.

Saltpeter Cave

(3) Harrisburg, IL
gem Favorite The Council Ring is the perfect place to spend a summer day.

Council Ring

(3) Galena, IL
gem Favorite Just a walk through Lusk Wilderness

Secret Canyon

(2) Harrisburg, IL
gem Favorite Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge

(2) Harrisburg, IL

Recommended Routes in Illinois - 34

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Waterfall leading down the canyon.
Intermediate Intermediate

Starved Rock Loop

5.1 mi 8.1 km • 493' Up 150.12 m Up • 492' Down 149.9 m Down

Deer Park, IL
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Oak trees begin to leaf out in a well-managed oak woodland. With plenty of sunlight, the spring wildflowers are abundant.
Intermediate Intermediate

Sag Valley Main Trail

8.5 mi 13.6 km • 364' Up 110.8 m Up • 364' Down 111.01 m Down

Palos Park, IL
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite The trail is full of life and diversity.
Intermediate Intermediate

The Chicago Outerbelt Route

208.6 mi 335.7 km • 1,684' Up 513.38 m Up • 1,684' Down 513.32 m Down

Chicago, IL
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Viewpoint and suitable backpacking campsite off the River to River trail. (Very close to trail, unfortunately).
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

River To River Trail: Garden of the Gods Wilderness Section

5.4 mi 8.7 km • 516' Up 157.15 m Up • 654' Down 199.24 m Down

Rosiclare, IL
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite I wide prairie view when out in the open during a paved road crossing after lots of tree cover.
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

Waterfall Glen Main Trail

9.7 mi 15.6 km • 259' Up 78.82 m Up • 259' Down 78.83 m Down

Darien, IL
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Watching the Chicago Air and Water show from the Lakefront. Near Diversey Ave looking south.
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

Chicago Lakefront Trail

18.4 mi 29.6 km • 154' Up 47.07 m Up • 150' Down 45.69 m Down

Lincoln…, IL
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Blue Trail in the fall.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Bullfrog Loop

7.4 mi 11.8 km • 625' Up 190.36 m Up • 624' Down 190.16 m Down

Willow…, IL
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite A short stop to enjoy the view.
Intermediate Intermediate

Matthiessen State Park Loop

2.7 mi 4.4 km • 164' Up 49.97 m Up • 168' Down 51.09 m Down

Deer Park, IL
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite No Photos
Intermediate Intermediate

Spring Lake Park

9.4 mi 15.1 km • 733' Up 223.54 m Up • 735' Down 224.05 m Down

Macomb, IL
Explore in 3D

Illinois Hiking

  • 1,685 Miles 2,711 Kilometers of Trail
  • 34 Recommended Routes
  • 8 Gems Gems
  • 1,211 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 276 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 22 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Illinois

Trails in Illinois - 1,474

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

3.0 mi 4.9 km #1Little Grand Canyon Loop
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Murphysboro, IL
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Murphysboro, IL 19 
1.3 mi 2.1 km #2Trillium Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Carbondale, IL
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Carbondale, IL 6 
0.5 mi 0.8 km #3Observation Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Rosiclare, IL
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Rosiclare, IL 17 
6.2 mi 9.9 km #4Orange Loop
Intermediate Intermediate
Willow Springs, IL
Intermediate Intermediate
Willow Springs, IL 8 
17.7 mi 28.5 km #5Great Western Trail
Easy Easy
Saint Charles, IL
Easy Easy
Saint Charles, IL 2 
0.3 mi 0.5 km #6Merrill Woods Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Hanna City, IL
Intermediate Intermediate
Hanna City, IL 2 
3.3 mi 5.3 km #7Trail B
Difficult Difficult
Marshall, IL
Difficult Difficult
Marshall, IL 2 
1.2 mi 1.9 km #8Sunflower Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Naperville, IL
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Naperville, IL 2 
2.0 mi 3.2 km #9Lyons Woods To Waukegan Savanna Trail
Easy Easy
Beach Park, IL
Easy Easy
Beach Park, IL 2 
1.6 mi 2.5 km #10South System Loop
Intermediate Intermediate
Hampton, IL
Intermediate Intermediate
Hampton, IL 2 

Photos of Illinois - 474

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Viewpoint and suitable backpacking campsite off the River to River trail. (Very close to trail, unfortunately).
Oct 10, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Cooking dinner and taking in the view at sunset at Buzzard Point.
Oct 10, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Natural arch along river to river trail just below the Pharaoh Campground.
Oct 10, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Looking out into the Garden of the Gods wilderness area.
Oct 10, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Another one of the vista points off the Garden of the Gods observation trail looking out on what was once an inland sea.
Oct 10, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Some of the bizarre, organic shapes carved into the sandstone of the cliffs lining the riverbanks.
Oct 10, 2016 near Murphys…, IL
The slick scramble down from the ridge into the canyon.
Oct 10, 2016 near Murphys…, IL
A short stop to enjoy the view.
Sep 11, 2017 near Deer Park, IL
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