AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Witkowsky State Wildlife Area

Prairie Point–Hickory Trail, 3 sights

3.3 mi · ▲ 588 ft · 1 hr 24 min

Prairie Point–Hickory Trail, 3 sights is a 3.3-mile out-and-back in Witkowsky State Wildlife Area near Blanding, IL. The route reaches Prairie Point at the turnaround, 1.6 miles in. It climbs 588 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 44/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi705 – 955 ft · steepest grade: 16%3.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Oak Trail 42.29871, -90.36299
Nearest town Blanding, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Prairie Point–Hickory Trail, 3 sights

3.3 mi · ▲ 588 ft · 1 hr 24 min

Elevation 705–954 ft

Out & Back · Witkowsky State Wildlife Area

Trailhead: Oak Trail · 42.29871, -90.36299

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:04 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftContinue straight onto Oak Trail, heading NW.
  3. 0.4 miTurn left onto Hickory Trail, heading NE.
  4. 0.6 miSharp left, heading NE.
  5. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Walnut Trail, heading N.
  6. 0.5 miReach Prairie Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 0.6 miSharp right onto Hickory Trail, heading S.
  8. 0.6 miTurn right onto Oak Trail, heading S.
  9. 0.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/prairie-point-hickory-trail-out-back-3-sights

Trail surface

91% dirt9% grass

Weather

Sunrise 6:47 AMSunset 7:04 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~48 min). Leave by 5:56 PM for the 7:04 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Blanding, Illinois