Rails to trails is a great program where abandoned railroads are turned into hiking paths. Not only are the tracks given a new purpose, but the resulting hikes are awesome. This is because they often head through incredibly scenic parts of countryside. Such is the case along the Illinois Prairie Path. The Illinois Prairie Path is a network of 61 miles of biking and hiking trails. It is mostly in DuPage County, with some spilling out to Kane County and Cook County. Here's why you should explore it.
The Illinois Prairie Path has been around since 1963.
When visiting waterfalls in Illinois, explorers are spoiled for choice. There are so many great cascades in this state, ranging from powerful gushers to quiet little streams, with some being only a few minutes' hike and others taking a challenging journey. But for all the famous waterfalls in Illinois, it surprised me to discover that there are some that most people don't know about at all! One such waterfall can be found on the Red Cedar Trail in Giant City State Park - and this hidden waterfall in Illinois is so secret that it isn't even on a marked trail! Yes, to find this little magic spot, you'll have to wander off the beaten path on this 10.8 mile trail and enter the unknown - with a beautiful sight awaiting you.
The Red Cedar Trail is a mighty hike, coming in at 10.8 miles and netting a moderate rating. It's a beautiful, rustic trail filled with rock formations and high trees, making it a stunning hike during most of the year. Dogs are welcome if they're on a leash.
The trail itself is an impressive experience - but if you're willing to head off the beaten path near a remote area with a flowing creek, you'll be rewarded. This area can be slick, so hike with caution.
This small waterfall is heavily weather-dependent. If it's been a dry season, it may be little more than a refreshing trickle, ideal for cooling off on a hot day.
However, if there has been a lot of rain recently, you'll be met with an impressive cascade - one of the most beautiful but least-known spots in this charming state park.
While the spring, summer, and fall are the most popular times to visit this waterfall, there's something to be said for winter - it's much less crowded, and the sight of a frozen waterfall is something truly magical.
Have you braved this challenging trail to discover this hidden waterfall in Illinois? Let us know about your trek in the comments section! You can see more pictures of the trail on the AllTrails trail listing, and make sure to check out the Illinois website for Giant City State Park for more information on the park's amenities! This is where you can climb a water tower for one of the most impressive views in Illinois.
If you're planning to take on this hidden waterfall hike, we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails + - the point-by-point directions will make it easy to find your destinations, even if you're out of range of cell phone service.
If you're an avid hiker, you probably have no problem hitting the trails in any season and maybe even in any kind of weather. For the rest of us, well, we tend to stick to hiking when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. But there are some year-round hikes that just about anyone can do including one particular short loop hike in Illinois. The Hastings Lake Loop is a delightful nature walk we think you'll love as much as we do.
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Hastings Lake is located in Lake Villa, Illinois, and is part of Lake County Forest Preserves. Covering 270 acres, Hasting Lake offers four miles of hiking trails through fields, wetlands, and woodlands. A variety of recreation can be experienced here like hiking, biking, rollerblading, fishing, and even cross-country skiing.
You can also take your dog, although you must keep it on a leash. And there is plenty of nature to be found here in every season.
Within this preserve is an 80-acre lake with 12,000 feet of shoreline. The lake is filled with plenty of fish like bluegill, largemouth bass, and carp. Fishing is common here and there is even a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier.
The Hastings Lake Loop is a 2.2-mile loop trail that is relatively flat, accessible, and perfect for year-round use. It's one of the best loop trails in IL that everyone should consider hiking in any season.
And in the winter, you can experience peace and quiet as you go for a hike or cross-country skiing. Isn't it a wonderful thing when you can find a trail that can be used year-round?
As for accessibility, the Hastings Lake Loop is a mix of paved pathways and boardwalks with a gentle grade that's good for most wheelchairs and strollers. The boardwalk also has a barrier along the edge. And in the parking lot off of West Gelden Road, there are five designated accessible spots.
Have you gone for a hike at Hastings Lake in Illinois? What are some of your favorite Illinois loop trails? Let your fellow readers know in the comments. Get your Hastings Lake Loop trail map and current conditions with AllTrails+.
If you want to explore more of the great outdoors, you can also check out the best hikes in Illinois. These are our favorite hiking trails from beginner to advanced.
