Free guide: 25 hikes under 2 hours from Montreal 25 hikes near Montreal

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Top 10 Hiking Trails in Illinois: our selection

Ten ideas. Reasons to pick each one.

Compare 10 hiking ideas in Illinois: their region, the duration and the level, then open the trail page for the details.

See the 10 hikes

How to pick the best hiking trails for you?

Three guideposts to compare the ideas in this selection.

The experience

Outings with a good mix of moods and challenges in Illinois.

The scenery

Panoramas, forests and remarkable natural settings.

Who it suits

Outings for different levels and moods, from a serious challenge to an easy stroll.

Our 10 hikes in Illinois

See all trails in Illinois

millenium park

Chicago & Beyond

2 hr
See the trail page
Great River Trail

Great Rivers Country

5 hr 30 min Easy
See the trail page
The Loop - Chicago

Chicago & Beyond

4 hr 30 min Hard
See the trail page
Starved Rock

Chicago & Beyond

6 hr
See the trail page
Des Plaines River Trail

Chicago & Beyond

2 hr
See the trail page
Oak Park, Chicago

Chicago & Beyond

2 hr
See the trail page
Jubilee College State Park

Land of Lincoln

30 min Easy
See the trail page
Kickapoo State Park

Land of Lincoln

2 hr
See the trail page
Prairie Path

Chicago & Beyond

See the trail page
Mallard Lake Trail

Chicago & Beyond

2 hr 30 min
See the trail page

How to choose yours?

Starved Rock trail - hiking in Chicago & Beyond

By your level

Short and easy or more demanding: find a hike that suits your experience and your mood.

See all trails in Illinois

millenium park trail - hiking in Chicago & Beyond

By season

Fall colours, snowy summits, spring flowers: every season offers a different experience.

Explore all regions

Before you book your day

Access, booking, dogs and weather: check the trail page and the site manager.

See our practical tips

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a hike suits my level?

Each trail page gives the level (easy, moderate or hard) and, when it is known, the duration. Compare them with your experience, then add time for breaks and the way back.

Do some trails in Illinois require a booking?

It depends on the site. Some trails are in parks that charge an access fee or require a booking: the trail page says so when the information is known, and the site manager's own website remains the reference.

Can I bring my dog?

The trail page says whether dogs are allowed, when the information is known. Always check the site's rules, especially about leashes.

Good ideas, ready to go.

Free guide: 25 hikes under 2 hours from Montreal

Distance, elevation, parking and season for each one. The ones we go back to ourselves.

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