AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Illinois and Michigan Canal & I&M Canal Trail via Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail

6.7 mi · ▲ 29 ft · 2 hr 15 min

Illinois and Michigan Canal & I&M Canal Trail via Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail is a 6.7-mile out-and-back near Fairmont, IL. The route reaches Illinois and Michigan Canal. It is mostly level, with 29 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi551 – 587 ft7.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.56234, -88.07297
Nearest town Fairmont, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Illinois and Michigan Canal & I&M Canal Trail via Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail

6.7 mi · ▲ 29 ft · 2 hr 15 min

Elevation 553–586 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 41.56234, -88.07297

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:53 PM

Transit-accessible: State & Riley stop 374 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  3. 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
  4. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  5. 300 ftSharp left, heading W.
  6. 0.4 miPass Illinois and Michigan Canal.
  7. 100 ftTurn left onto I&M Canal Trail, heading SE.
  8. 2.3 miBear right, heading N.
  9. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  10. 0.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  11. 450 ftReach Illinois and Michigan Canal, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 400 ftTurn left, heading N.
  13. 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
  14. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  15. 2.3 miTurn right, heading S.
  16. 0.4 miSharp right, heading N.
  17. 300 ftTurn left, heading N.
  18. 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  19. 350 ftTurn right, heading N.
  20. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/illinois-and-michigan-canal-illinois-and-michigan-canal-out-back-3-lakes-11-km-f984

Trail surface

65% gravel13% paved22% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:39 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.7 mi in (~41 min). Leave by 5:52 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: State & Riley stop 374 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Fairmont, Illinois