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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 A rare ice climbing adventure in Southern Illinois.

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 Mississippi River meanders in the distance on a beautiful fall 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

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

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
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
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
Favorite The water-eroded underside of one of the sandstone bluffs juts out over the riverbed trail.
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
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
Favorite I lived 20 mins from this park until I was 19 years old. I never knew about it until I came back home when I was 30 years old. An overcast morning long exposure on the Canyon Trail.
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
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
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
Favorite Millstone Lake-R2R junction trail sign.
Difficult Difficult

Shawnee Hills 50K

32.8 mi 52.7 km 3,566' Up 1086.85 m Up 3,550' Down 1081.97 m Down

Goreville, IL
Explore in 3D

Illinois Running

  • 1,681 Miles 2,705 Kilometers of Trail
  • 34 Recommended Routes
  • 8 Gems Gems
  • 1,208 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 276 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 22 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Illinois

Trails in Illinois - 1,471

Trail Run Project is built by runners 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
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
17.7 mi 28.5 km #5Great Western Trail
Easy Easy
Saint Charles, IL
Easy Easy
Saint Charles, IL
0.3 mi 0.5 km #6Merrill Woods Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Hanna City, IL
Intermediate Intermediate
Hanna City, IL
3.3 mi 5.3 km #7Trail B
Difficult Difficult
Marshall, IL
Difficult Difficult
Marshall, IL
2.0 mi 3.2 km #8Lyons Woods To Waukegan Savanna Trail
Easy Easy
Beach Park, IL
Easy Easy
Beach Park, IL
0.7 mi 1.1 km #9Prairie Wolf Forest Preserve Trail
Easy Easy
Bannockburn, IL
Easy Easy
Bannockburn, IL
3.1 mi 5.0 km #10Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve Trail
Easy Easy
Third Lake, IL
Easy Easy
Third Lake, IL

Photos of Illinois - 470

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

Defiance Lake sunset.
May 16, 2016 near Lakemoor, IL
Waterfall leading down the canyon.
Jun 13, 2016 near Deer Park, IL
LaSalle Canyon Waterfall.
Jun 13, 2016 near Deer Park, IL
Some of the bizarre, organic shapes carved into the sandstone of the cliffs lining the riverbanks.
Oct 10, 2016 near Murphys…, IL
Bluff overlook along Salt Lick Point.
May 3, 2017 near Valmeyer, IL
Looking south over Karber's Ridge.
Oct 24, 2017 near Rosiclare, IL
Galloping Hill Sunset (Fall 2019)
Apr 6, 2020 near East Du…, IL
Schneck Trail
Oct 4, 2023 near Mount C…, IL

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