All Hiking Trails in Illinois

9,470 trails mapped across Illinois. Search by trail name, city, or county.

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More on hiking in Illinois

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Sunlit forest trail winding through tall conifersPhoto: Sergei Akulich
State Rankings

The 10 Longest Hiking Trails in Illinois, Ranked

Illinois's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.

By The OutsideAtlas Team6 min
Hiker standing on a rocky summit overlooking deep mountain valleysPhoto: Holly Mandarich
State Rankings

Illinois's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain

Steep is hard. These are the ten Illinois trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.

By The OutsideAtlas Team6 min
Alpine lake reflecting jagged mountain peaks at sunrisePhoto: Joshua Earle
State Rankings

The Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Illinois

Ten gentle, well-marked Illinois trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.

By The OutsideAtlas Team6 min
Sunlit forest trail winding through tall conifersPhoto: Sergei Akulich
State Rankings

The 10 Most Challenging Hikes in Illinois

Illinois's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.

By The OutsideAtlas Team7 min
Alpine lake reflecting jagged mountain peaks at sunrisePhoto: Joshua Earle
Parks & Travel

The Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in Illinois

Federal parks and recreation areas in Illinois ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.

By The OutsideAtlas Team6 min
Sunlit forest trail winding through tall conifersPhoto: Sergei Akulich
State Rankings

Best Waterfall Hikes in Illinois: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close

Illinois's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.

By The OutsideAtlas Team7 min