AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch

12.7 mi · ▲ 165 ft · 4 hr 19 min

Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch is a 12.7-mile out-and-back near Carol Stream, IL. It is mostly level, with 165 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi722 – 807 ft13.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.90181, -88.12071
Nearest town Carol Stream, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch

12.7 mi · ▲ 165 ft · 4 hr 19 min

Elevation 720–807 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 41.90181, -88.12071

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:53 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Transit-accessible: North Ave & Gary stop 250 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.1 miTurn right onto Great Western Trail, heading W.
  3. 3.3 miContinue straight onto Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading W.
  4. 3.1 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  5. 3.1 miContinue straight onto Great Western Trail, heading E.
  6. 3.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  7. 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-prairie-path-elgin-branch-out-back-21-km-f34b

Trail surface

96% gravel2% paved2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.2 mi in (~151 min). Leave by 4:02 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Transit-accessible: North Ave & Gary stop 250 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Carol Stream, Illinois