Illinois Prairie Path
7.6 mi · ▲ 80 ft · 2 hr 34 min
Illinois Prairie Path is a 7.6-mile out-and-back in Wild Meadows Trace near Hillside, IL. It is mostly level, with 80 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Illinois Prairie Path
7.6 mi · ▲ 80 ft · 2 hr 34 min
Elevation 645–703 ft
Out & Back · Wild Meadows Trace
Trailhead: 41.88206, -87.89812
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:52 PM
Transit-accessible: Butterfield & Buckthorn stop 348 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 250 ftSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Illinois Prairie Path, heading S.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading W.
- 2.3 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.7 miSharp right onto Great Western Trail, heading N.
- 450 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 450 ftSharp left onto Illinois Prairie Path, heading E.
- 0.7 miBear right, heading E.
- 2.3 miBear right, heading E.
- 0.7 miSharp left, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading E.
- 250 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 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 surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.2 mi in (~29 min). Leave by 6:03 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Butterfield & Buckthorn stop 348 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Illinois Prairie Path 7.4 mi · ▲ 81 ft
- Illinois Prairie Path 8.2 mi · ▲ 107 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Hillside, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Hillside, Illinois