Illinois Prairie Path
7.3 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 2 hr 27 min
Illinois Prairie Path is a 7.3-mile out-and-back in Wild Meadows Trace near Hillside, IL. It is mostly level, with 27 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
7.3 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 2 hr 27 min
Elevation 646–703 ft
Out & Back · Wild Meadows Trace
Trailhead: 41.88230, -87.90179
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:52 PM
Transit-accessible: Butterfield & High Ridge stop 462 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 250 ftSharp right onto Illinois Prairie Path, heading W.
- 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 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 1.0 mi in (~25 min). Leave by 6:08 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Butterfield & High Ridge stop 462 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Illinois Prairie Path 7.4 mi · ▲ 81 ft
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