HomeChicago, IL5 Best Hiking Trails in Chicago, IL

5 Best Hiking Trails in Chicago, IL

Below is a list of the top and leading Hiking Trails in Chicago, IL. To help you find the best Hiking Trails located near you in Chicago, IL, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.

Chicago, IL’s Best Hiking Trails:

The top-rated Hiking Trails in Chicago, IL are:

  • Lakefront Trail – popular waterfront recreational strip with 18 miles of side-by-side walking & biking trails.
  • LaBagh Woods – this wooded area is a popular spot for nature observation & offers trails & picnic areas.
  • The 606 – a 2.7-mile elevated rail trail running east-west on the northwest side of Chicago.
  • Forest Glen Woods – nature & recreation area featuring paths amid woods & wildlife, plus a picnic pavilion.
  • North Park Village Nature Center – 46-acre nature preserve with hiking trails, a birding area & a center with educational programs.

Lakefront Trail

5 Best Hiking Trails in Chicago, IL

Lakefront Trail spans 19 miles of hiking trails along Lake Michigan. This trail goes down towards Chicago’s downtown area and traverses many of Chi-Town’s tourist spots. The Chicago Lakefront Trail is a favorite for hikers, bikers, and nature lovers for its scenic beauty and closeness to civilization. Tourists’ destinations that this trail goes through are Jackson Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, Promontory Point, Burnham Park, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, and more. The cultural richness of this hiking trail and park is unparalleled and any nature lover or people who want to go hiking or camping will definitely love this place.

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LOCATION:
Address: 82430 Lakefront Trail, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 742-7529
Website: traillink.com/lakefront-trail

REVIEWS:
This is a great promenade. The design of this trail is old and some areas are showing, but it has views, walking/running trails and it’s just great for going away from the city scenery for a time. – Eran Dromy

LaBagh Woods

The Best Hiking Trails in Chicago, IL

LaBagh Woods is a hiking trail situated in the southern portion of the North Branch Trail. This trail and natural refuge for wildlife serve as a safe haven and cross point between different areas like woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and savannas. LaBagh Woods offers a wide variety of amenities for campers and hikers alike. Amenities like indoor bathrooms, cross-country skiing, bicycling, hiking, birding hotspots, and more are available in this wonderful nature reserve. You can also bring your pup with you because they allow dogs in the trail as long as they are leashed when you bring them.

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LOCATION:
Address: West Foster Avenue, N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: (800) 870-3666
Website: fpdcc.com/labaghwoods

REVIEWS:
Delightful convenient nature oasis 20 minutes from downtown Chicago. Gorgeous oak trees and deer! Even one with velvet antlers. Bring mosquito repellent! – John Pink

The 606

Best Hiking Trails in Chicago, IL

The 606 houses the Bloomingdale Trail, an almost three-mile-long elevated trail that runs across Chicago. A former rail line in the country created this trail and is now considered the longest greenway project in the country. The 606 is very enticing to hikers and bikers due to its amazing views and scenic routes. It’s a great place for friends or families to bond while soaking up nature in this techno-world we have today. If you are looking for the perfect place to run, hike, or bike in Chicago, look no further because the 606’s hiking trails are among the country’s best and most beautiful.

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LOCATION:
Address: 1805 N. Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (312) 742-4622
Website: the606.org

REVIEWS:
A great trail to bike down! The views are amazing and it’s a convenient way to get to where you need to go. – Bryce Alford

Forest Glen Woods

Chicago, IL Best Hiking Trails

Forest Glen Woods is a park and hiking trail in Chicago popular for its beautiful views and scenic trails. They have all the standard amenities any hiking trail and park has like the standard parking lot and portable bathrooms. Forest Glen Woods offers hiking, walking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. They also have indoor bathrooms and you can bring your dog as long as you put them on a leash. Their main hiking trail is called North Branch Trail System and is around 20 miles of unpaved paths. This trail goes through Chicago, Glenview, Morton Grove, Northbrook, and Winnetka.

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LOCATION:
Address: 5420 N Forest Glen Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: (800) 870-3666
Website: fpdcc.com/forestglenwoods

REVIEWS:
Really great place to get in touch with nature! There are plenty of well-marked Trails for even an amateur to get up-close-and-personal with the North Branch of the Chicago River. – Mary Biancalana

North Park Village Nature Center

Chicago, IL's Best Hiking Trails

North Park Village Nature Center is a 45-acre natural reserve that houses some of the best hiking and biking trails in the state. This nature park also has an educational facility located in the middle of this beautiful piece of nature. North Park Village Nature Center is right in the middle of intersecting habitats like prairies, woodlands, savannas, and wetlands. They also offer public programs for children, families, and adults. These programs aim to educate and help people understand the value and importance of nature and how to preserve it. If you want to experience one of Chicago’s best hiking trails, North Park Village Nature Center has that and more.

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LOCATION:
Address: 5801 N. Pulaski Rd. Chicago, IL 60646
Phone: (312) 744-5472
Website: chicagoparkdistrict.com/northparkvillage

REVIEWS:
One of my favorite places since childhood. Went camping here and is still a great place to visit. Saw a doe here just the other day! The Oak savannah is one of my favorites. – Hugh Sato