Trail Reviews
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Palos Park Woods Trail Review: Sag Valley Trail
Less than 30 minutes from Chicago, Palos Park Woods, a Cook County Forest Preserve, offers a forest adventure! For a 3-mile loop, we hiked a portion of the Sag Valley yellow trail and the purple connector trail. Both trails are rated intermediate. Overall Thoughts: Difficulty (Lower is Easier) Amenities Transportation & Accessibility: Crowding: Views &…
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Fox River Forest Preserve Yellow Loop Review
The Fox River Forest Preserve in Port Barrington is a marina and boat launch first and foremost. This Lake County Forest Preserve is a perfect spot to rotate large boating crews, as the area offers hiking trails and other amenities to keep your ‘land’ time full of adventure. However, as a hiker and in this…
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Burnidge Forest Preserve Trail Review: West Trail Loop
The West Trail Loop in Burnidge Forest Preserve is a 1.47-mile unpaved nature trail that meanders through both woodlands and prairie. Offering gorgeous views of seasonal colors at the low cost of a few small hills. To get to this trail from the parking lot, you need to take the Centrail Trail Loop. Overall Thoughts…
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Burnidge Forest Preserve Trail Review: Centrail Trail Loop
The Centrail Trail Loop in Burnidge Forest Preserve, part of the Kane County Forest Preserve is a great place to start exploring this dog-friendly park. This .56-mile walk connects the parking lot to the West Trail Loop (1.47 miles) and South Loop Trail (2.23 miles). Although a smaller loop, this trail offers stand-alone or main…
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Fullersburg Woods Trail Review: River Bend & North Island Loop Trail
See a huge Wolly Mammoth skeleton at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center before heading out on the River Bend and North Island Loop Trail. Finish a day of adventure with the Graue Mill & Museum accessible by either a car or The Night Heron Trail (2.3 miles.) Overall Thoughts on the River Bend & North…
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Skokie Lagoon Trail Review: Black Loop Trail
Part of Cook County’s North Branch Trail System and wrapping around the Skokie Lagoon, the Black Trail is the perfect trail for an after-work walk. Clocking in at 4.4 miles, this dog-friendly loop connects to neighborhoods in Glencoe and Winnetka, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Tower Road and Forest Way Grove entrances. Overall Thoughts…
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Pikes Peak State Park Trail Review: Bridal Falls Trail
Just over 5-hours away from Chicago is Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, Iowa. At only .45 miles the Bridal Veil Trail offered beautiful overlooks and the boardwalk led to a waterfall. Overall Thoughts on Bridal Veil Falls Trail: Difficulty (Lower is Easier) Amenities Transportation & Accessibility: Crowding: Views & Wildlife: Overall Rating: Difficulty Difficulty-wise,…
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Salt Creek Red Trail: Cook Co. Forest Preserve Trail Review
The Salt Creek Trail Systems Red Trail is a non-looping path linking local neighborhoods and over 5 Cook County Forest Preserves in the nearwest suburbs. Located roughly 30 to 45 minutes west of the Loop, the trail starts at Brookfield Woods, next to the Brookfield Zoo, and follows Salt Creek for 7.2 miles, terminating in…