Waterfall Glen, Darien, Illinois
At the glen, trails are 8 feet wide, white-tailed deer are plentiful, and a scattering of pine groves planted long ago by the federal government offers constant changes in color and composition. Though some bikers pedal along... trails.com
Morton Arboretum East Hike, Lisle, Illinois
Want to check out trees from places such as Korea or Appalachia? Or maybe you?d like to see a sampling of the 43 types of oak trees and 60 types of maple trees that grow here. Tree lovers could be kept busy for weeks explorin... trails.com
Danada Forest Preserve Hike, Naperville, Illinois
Nestled in an unlikely spot between subdivisions and I-88, Danada Forest Preserve offers some terrific hiking through wide-open prairies and gently sloping savannas. Once a training ground for top racehorses, Danada still cat... trails.com
Palos/sag Valley Forest Preserve: Little Red Schoolhouse Hike...
With 2.5 miles of laid-back hiking and plenty of engaging exhibits, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is particularly appealing for kids and beginning hikers. The trails run next to Long John Slough, through oak forests an... trails.com
Chicago, Il: Morton Arboretum Heritage Trail
With more than 3,400 species of trees and plants, the Morton Arboretum is a living museum, a local treasure, and a worthwhile destination west of Chicago. This easy, 1.6-mile walk through the East Woods is a great wa... trimbleoutdoors.com
Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve Loop, Hinsdale, Illinois
You may be surprised to find this much natural beauty just 20 miles from the Loop. Nearly this entire hike accompanies Salt Creek as it meanders next to a bluff and winds around a couple of islands on its way to the historic ... trails.com
Illinois Prairie Path
?Street parking is available near the trailhead and numerous spots along the trail.The IPP is a former right-of-way for the old Chicago Aurora & Elgin electric railroad, it was the first U.S. rail-to-trail conversion in t... waymarking.com
Salt Creek Trail, Riverside, Illinois
The Salt Creek Trail is a fun, winding route that passes through a series of forest preserves straddling Cook and DuPage Counties. While much of the route closely follows the arboreal banks of Salt Creek, you?ll frequently me... trails.com
Great Western Trail (Il)
The western segment of the Great Western Trail in Illinois follows 17 miles of an abandoned railway corridor through DeKalb and Kane counties, between Leroy Oaks County Forest Preserve and the town of Sycamore. The Chicago... traillink.com
Centennial And I & M Canal Trails, Willow Springs, Illinois
This route is jammed with scenic vistas and fascinating local history. While tracing the route of the Des Plaines River, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and the I&M Canal, you?ll pass two museums, several parks, and a co... trails.com
Illinois Prairie Pathmain Stem, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
The Illinois Prairie Path, one of the first rail trails in the nation, runs along the route of the former Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin Railway, an electric railroad line that carried commuters and freight between Chicago and it... trails.com
Chicago Lakeshore Path: South Hike, Chicago, Illinois
Enjoy stunning views of the downtown skyline as you hike along this strip of parkland that links the city and the lake. Pass Chicago landmarks such as Soldier Field, the Field Museum, and Buckingham Fountain. Chicago would be... trails.com
The Good Life On Armitage, Chicago, Illinois
Living the good life on Armitage ?even if only for a weekend?is a time and place for dreaming about the future together. Here?s hoping it?s as bright as the gleaming restorations and trendy businesses you?ll enjoy here. You m... trails.com
Lake Katherine Trail, Palos Heights, Illinois
As an urban nature walk, this is one of the best in the area. Nestled alongside the Calumet-Sag Channel, 136-acre Lake Katherine Preserve features an attractive lake, an arboretum, a waterfall garden, an herb and a conifer ga... trails.com
Busse Woods Loop, Schaumburg, Illinois
This quick, pleasant, and easily accessible hike takes you through dense woods and near numerous small ponds at one of the largest forest preserves in Cook County. Although Busse Woods is busy at times, it?s surprisingly quie... trails.com
Jackson Park Loop, Chicago, Illinois
At the heart of Jackson Park is a wooded island, a serene Japanese garden, and placid lagoons lined with cattails. Much of this quiet refuge is a remnant of one of the most important events in Chicago history: the World?s Col... trails.com