Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch

11 mi · ▲ 139 ft · 3 hr 44 min

Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch is an 11-mile out-and-back near Carol Stream, IL. It is mostly level, with 139 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi722 – 807 ft11.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Great Western Trail 41.90095, -88.13623
Nearest town Carol Stream, IL

Directions

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Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch

11 mi · ▲ 139 ft · 3 hr 44 min

Elevation 720–807 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

  1. Start on Great Western Trail, heading W.
  2. 2.5 miContinue straight onto Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading W.
  3. 3.1 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  4. 3.1 miContinue straight onto Great Western Trail, heading E.
  5. 2.4 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

98% gravel2% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 5.3 mi in (~130 min). Leave by 4:24 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

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

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