AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Warrenville Grove County Forest Preserve

Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch

8.8 mi · ▲ 138 ft · 3 hr

Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch is an 8.8-mile out-and-back in Warrenville Grove County Forest Preserve near Warrenville, IL. It is mostly level, with 138 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi689 – 745 ft9.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: West Branch DuPage River Trail 41.81724, -88.17097
Nearest town Warrenville, IL
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Directions

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Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch

8.8 mi · ▲ 138 ft · 3 hr

Elevation 688–744 ft

Out & Back · Warrenville Grove County Forest Preserve

Trailhead: West Branch DuPage River Trail · 41.81724, -88.17097

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:54 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on West Branch DuPage River Trail, heading NE.
  2. 0.9 miSharp left onto Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch, heading SW.
  3. 2.9 miBear right onto Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftBear left onto Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch, heading SW.
  5. 0.7 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  6. 0.7 miBear right onto Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur, heading NE.
  7. 50 ftBear left onto Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch, heading NE.
  8. 2.9 miSharp right onto West Branch DuPage River Trail, heading NE.
  9. 0.7 miArrive 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-prairie-path-aurora-branch-out-back-14-km-e1fc

Trail surface

85% gravel13% paved2% other

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:54 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.8 mi in (~94 min). Leave by 4:59 PM for the 6:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from West Branch DuPage River Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Warrenville, Illinois