Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve
Central Trail via Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch
10 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 3 hr 22 min
Central Trail via Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch is a 10-mile out-and-back in Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve near Lakewood, IL. It is mostly level, with 53 ft of elevation gain. It scores 11/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Central Trail via Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch
10 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 3 hr 22 min
Elevation 747–807 ft
Out & Back · Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve
Trailhead: Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch · 41.92090, -88.20844
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:55 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading NW.
- 1.3 miSharp right onto North Central DuPage Regional Trail, heading E.
- 1 miTurn left, heading W.
- 450 ftBear right onto East Trail, heading N.
- 1.2 miTurn left, heading W.
- 1.4 miReach Central Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.6 miBear left, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn right onto North Central DuPage Regional Trail, heading E.
- 1 miSharp left onto Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading W.
- 1.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~27 min). Leave by 6:09 PM for the 6:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch Trailhead
- Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 15.1 mi · ▲ 169 ft
- Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 15.1 mi · ▲ 169 ft
- Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 15.2 mi · ▲ 169 ft
- Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 15.3 mi · ▲ 81 ft
- Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 15.2 mi · ▲ 169 ft
- Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 9.9 mi · ▲ 54 ft
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