Wildest hikes in Illinois

The highest Ambleway Wildness scores in the catalog: the routes that stay farthest from roads, industry, and development. How Ambleway Wildness works

These are the 25 wildest hikes Ambleway has measured in Illinois, from 89% wild at the top of the board to 83% wild at the bottom. They run from 2.5 to 15 miles. The biggest climb on the board is Illinois Ozark/Hard Times & Pine Knoll Trail, gaining 1,498 ft. They lie across 6 named parks, forests, and preserves.

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• Kinkaid Lake & Buttermilk Trail via Kinkaid Lake Trail 14.8 mi · ▲ 875 ft · 89% wild
• Panther Den–Panther Loop, 3 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 336 ft · 89% wild
• Quail Unit Viewpoint via Yellow Trail 5 mi · ▲ 286 ft · 88% wild
• Horse Creek 4.5 mi · ▲ 252 ft · 87% wild
• Yellow Trail 5.3 mi · ▲ 321 ft · 87% wild
• Possum Trot Road & Robin Road 6.9 mi · ▲ 109 ft · 87% wild
• Vick Hill–235a, 3 sights 12 mi · ▲ 1,065 ft · 86% wild
• North 700th Avenue 3 mi · ▲ 112 ft · 86% wild
• Panther Loop & River To River Trail 3.8 mi · ▲ 340 ft · 86% wild
• Ranbarger Hollow Trail 7.8 mi · ▲ 525 ft · 86% wild
• 575 North 2.5 mi · ▲ 96 ft · 85% wild
• 235a & North Ripple Hollow 4.1 mi · ▲ 445 ft · 85% wild
• Bridgeman Trail–Godwin Trail/River to River Trail, 3 sights 10.2 mi · ▲ 1,093 ft · 85% wild
• Crabapple/Firebreak Trail & Red Oak Backpack Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 159 ft · 84% wild
• Panther Den & River To River Trail 3.5 mi · ▲ 280 ft · 84% wild
• County Road 95–Possum Trot Road, 3 sights 9.7 mi · ▲ 172 ft · 84% wild
• East 6000S Road 3.5 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 84% wild
• Ridge Line South 2.6 mi · ▲ 207 ft · 84% wild
• Illinois Ozark/Hard Times & Pine Knoll Trail 10 mi · ▲ 1,498 ft · 83% wild
• Sand Ridge State Forest Sunset Point via Red Diamond Trail 11.2 mi · ▲ 224 ft · 83% wild
• Crabapple Lake–Crabapple/Firebreak Trail, 3 sights 5 mi · ▲ 459 ft · 83% wild
• Godwin Trail/River to River Trail–Hutchins Creek Trail, 4 sights 13.2 mi · ▲ 734 ft · 83% wild
• Ridge Line South & White Mine Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 492 ft · 83% wild
• Bridgeman Trail–Hutchins Creek Trail, 3 sights 7.3 mi · ▲ 1,036 ft · 83% wild
• Ayers Slough Road 4.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 83% wild