How many hiking trails are listed in Illinois?

The directory currently includes 162 quality-checked routes in Illinois, covering 2.1k km of mapped lines. These are routes with a traceable source, sufficient geometry and elevation data.

Which route ranks highest in Illinois?

ADT - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 2 currently has the highest directory score in this set. Compare its distance, ascent and route type with ADT - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 3 and ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 1 before choosing.

When should you hike in Illinois?

Varies by region is the season stored for this place in the directory. It is not a live conditions report: consult the route source, land manager and local forecast before travelling.

Are there routes rated easy in Illinois?

106 routes are rated easy by the directory’s distance-and-elevation model. The rating does not rule out rough surface, exposure or temporary hazards, so verify the individual route.

🇺🇸 United States

Hiking trails in Illinois

162 quality-checked hiking routes are currently mapped in Illinois, United States. Together their route lines cover 2.1k km. The average route is 12.8 km with 65 m (213 ft) of recorded ascent.

162
Trails: 2.1k
Kilometres: 0
Parks: 296 m
Highest point

The directory difficulty mix is 106 easy (65%), 32 moderate (20%) and 24 hard or expert (15%). 50 routes (31%) are recorded as loops. Difficulty is calculated from available distance and elevation data; it is not a statement about technical terrain or current conditions.

The most frequent route tags are forest (49), mountain (18), lake (15), river (15). The highest recorded point in this set is 296 m (971 ft). The place-level planning field lists varies by region as the preferred season; check each route and official notices for live access and weather. ADT - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 2, ADT - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 3, ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 1 currently lead this page’s directory ranking, which uses route completeness and computed route scores rather than editorial field testing.

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

44.5 km

ADT - Missouri - L - Seg 1

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

32 m

ADT - Illinois - I - Seg 3

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Comparison of the first 6 listed routes
Route	Distance	Ascent	Moving time	Shape
ADT - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 2	231 km	1,295 m	56 hr	Point to point
ADT - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 3	184 km	104 m	43 hr	Point to point
ADT - Illinois - I - Seg 2	127 km	196 m	30 hr	Point to point
ADT - Illinois - I - Seg 3	123 km	32 m	29 hr	Point to point
ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 1	177 km	329 m	42 hr	Point to point
ADT - Missouri - L - Seg 1	44.5 km	247 m	10 hr	Point to point

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.