Chicago Metro Area

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Recommended Routes in Chicago Metro Area - 18

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Oak trees begin to leaf out in a well-managed oak woodland. With plenty of sunlight, the spring wildflowers are abundant.

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

The trail is full of life and diversity.

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

I wide prairie view when out in the open during a paved road crossing after lots of tree cover.

Waterfall Glen Main Trail

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

Darien, IL

Watching the Chicago Air and Water show from the Lakefront. Near Diversey Ave looking south.

Chicago Lakefront Trail

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

Lincoln…, IL

Bullfrog Loop

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

Willow…, IL

Galloping Hill Wildlife Loop

0.5 mi 0.7 km • 21' Up 6.49 m Up • 21' Down 6.47 m Down

East Du…, IL

The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)

5.7 mi 9.2 km • 8' Up 2.42 m Up • 8' Down 2.41 m Down

Chicago, IL

Deer Grove Forest Loop

9.6 mi 15.5 km • 274' Up 83.53 m Up • 274' Down 83.48 m Down

Inverness, IL

Montrose Bird Sanctuary (The Magic Hedge)

0.4 mi 0.7 km • 10' Up 3.07 m Up • 12' Down 3.62 m Down

Lincoln…, IL

Chicago Metro Area Hiking

1,129 Miles 1,817 Kilometers of Trail
18 Recommended Routes
1,086 Easy Trails
117 Intermediate Trails
0 Difficult Trails

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Areas Within Chicago Metro Area

Aurora and Naperville

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Weather Averages

High	Low	Precip	Days w/

Trails in Chicago Metro Area - 1,184

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6.2 mi 9.9 km #1Orange Loop Intermediate Willow Springs, IL	Intermediate	Willow Springs, IL	8
17.7 mi 28.5 km #2Great Western Trail Easy Saint Charles, IL	Easy	Saint Charles, IL	2
2.0 mi 3.2 km #3Lyons Woods To Waukegan Savanna Trail Easy Beach Park, IL	Easy	Beach Park, IL	2
0.7 mi 1.1 km #4Prairie Wolf Forest Preserve Trail Easy Bannockburn, IL	Easy	Bannockburn, IL	1
3.1 mi 5.0 km #5Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve Trail Easy Third Lake, IL	Easy	Third Lake, IL	1
0.8 mi 1.3 km #6North Pond Loop Easy Chicago, IL	Easy	Chicago, IL	1
2.6 mi 4.2 km #7Nelson Lake Trail Easy Batavia, IL	Easy	Batavia, IL	1
0.8 mi 1.3 km #8Nippersink Forest Preserve Trail Easy Round Lake, IL	Easy	Round Lake, IL	1
2.9 mi 4.7 km #9Red Loop Easy Kildeer, IL	Easy	Kildeer, IL	1
2.1 mi 3.3 km #10Hastings Lake Blue Loop Trail Easy/Intermediate Lindenhurst, IL	Easy/Intermediate	Lindenhurst, IL	1

Photos of Chicago Metro Area - 137

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Aug 4, 2015 near Lincoln…, IL

Hidden waterfall in Waterfall Glen DuPage County Forest Preserve

Jan 26, 2016 near Lemont, IL

May 16, 2016 near Lakemoor, IL

Jul 7, 2016 near River F…, IL

Aug 12, 2016 near Burr Ridge, IL

Nov 10, 2016 near Lisle, IL

Apr 21, 2018 near Lincoln…, IL

Apr 6, 2020 near East Du…, IL