Ray Lake Forest Preserve

Fort Hill Viewpoint via Fort Hill Trail

4.4 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 29 min

Fort Hill Viewpoint via Fort Hill Trail is a 4.4-mile out-and-back in Ray Lake Forest Preserve near Fremont Center, IL. The route reaches Fort Hill Viewpoint at the turnaround, 2.2 miles in. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain. It scores 15/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi791 – 837 ft4.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.29094, -88.08667
Nearest town Fremont Center, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Fort Hill Viewpoint via Fort Hill Trail

4.4 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 29 min

Elevation 792–836 ft

Out & Back · Ray Lake Forest Preserve

Trailhead: 42.29094, -88.08667

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:38 AM · sunset 6:55 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftTurn right onto Fort Hill Trail, heading W.
  3. 1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  5. 1.2 miReach Fort Hill Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 1.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  7. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  8. 1 miTurn left, heading E.
  9. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

35% gravel3% paved62% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:38 AMSunset 6:55 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~48 min). Leave by 5:48 PM for the 6:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead