Great Western Trail
7.8 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 2 hr 38 min
Great Western Trail is a 7.8-mile out-and-back near Carol Stream, IL. It is mostly level, with 82 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Great Western Trail
7.8 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 2 hr 38 min
Elevation 720–779 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Great Western Trail · 41.90095, -88.13623
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:53 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Great Western Trail, heading W.
- 2.5 miContinue straight onto Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading W.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Great Western Trail, heading W.
- 1.1 miReach Great Western Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading E.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Great Western Trail, heading E.
- 2.5 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 3.5 mi in (~86 min). Leave by 5:08 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Great Western Trail Trailhead
- Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 15.9 mi · ▲ 139 ft
- Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 11 mi · ▲ 139 ft
- Great Western Trail 5 mi · ▲ 54 ft
- Great Western Trail 4.1 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Great Western Trail 11.7 mi · ▲ 53 ft
- Great Western Trail 5.6 mi · ▲ 81 ft
Get outside more
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Hikes near Carol Stream, Illinois