Getting fitter and healthier doesn’t have to mean slaving away at the gym every day.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, you need to try hiking. It’s a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, do some exploring, and get some exercise at the same time.
That’s why it’s so popular. There are now more than 40 million hikers in the US.
If you fancy yourself as one of them, Chicago is a great place for it. There are tons of great spots in the area.
Read on for the best trails for hiking in Chicago.
Where to Go Hiking in Chicago
Northern Lakefront Trail
The Lakefront Trail, or LFT, is an 18-mile long trail along the bank of Lake Michigan.
It’s paved the entire way, so you don’t have to worry about any difficult terrain. This makes it great for running, too.
Along the way, you’ll pass plenty of parks and beaches, including Millenium Park, Lincoln Park, North Avenue Beach and Montrose Beach. If you’re just visiting Chicago and want to explore the city on foot, this is one of the best routes to take. You’ll see some of the best attractions all in one trip.
If walking is too slow-paced for you, try taking this route by bicycle. Just make sure you have the right bike.
The trail is open all day and all night, but you won’t be able to access the beaches or parks after 11 pm.
Jackson Park
On Chicago’s South side lies the huge 500-acre Jackson Park.
Within that space, you’ll find a gymnasium, a fitness center, a golf course, a basketball court, a fishing area, and several playgrounds. While you’re passing through, you won’t be short of things to do! If you want advice on fishing, check out Jimmy John Shark and check out his fishing story!
You could quite easily spend all day here. While you’re there, you can also stop for a picnic along the way at the picnic groves and admire the greenery. Then, move on to the Japanese Garden of the Phoenix and Jackson Park lagoon for more great views.
Northerly Island
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without having to actually leave the city limits, Northerly Island is perfect.
It’s a 91-acre peninsula on Lake Michigan which is entirely dedicated to nature, making it ideal for a peaceful hike.
It was previously home to an airport, but now contains plants and wildlife, and walking paths to stroll through it all with ease. If you like fishing, you’ll love this place. It’s said to be the best fishing spot in all of Chicago.
Crabtree Nature Center
To get a taste of history with your hike, visit the Crabtree Nature Center.
This huge nature reserve was purely forest and wetlands until 1830, but after the arrival of the Europeans, the landscape began to change drastically. You can learn all about that during your hiking trip here.
If you’re more interested in the wildlife side of things, you can spot more than 250 species of birds here as well as various native wildflowers.
If you want to bring your dog along on your hiking trip, you’ll have to go elsewhere. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed here. It is child-friendly, though. There are plenty of activities for kids along the way.
In the winter, this is a great spot for snowshoeing, but it’s open all-year-round. The grounds are open from 8am-5pm.
This is just one of Cook County’s amazing forest reserves, which has an abundance of opportunities for hiking in Chicago. You won’t be able to see them all in just one trip. There are more than 15 different trail routes to take.
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
This is one of the most scenic places for hiking in Chicago.
Whether you’re hiking, cycling, horse-riding of even skiing, there are marked trails for you to take through the prairies, woodlands and savannahs of Waterfall Glen.
There are four of them in total, covering 11 miles of ground. As you trek through, there are 750 species of plants and 300 species of mammals for you to spot, so keep your eyes peeled.
Starved Rock State Park
Just over an hour West of Downtown Chicago, you’ll find Starved Rock State Park, which has 13 miles of trails to take through towering trees and limestone canyons.
If you visit in the spring, you’ll see active waterfalls, too.
Whatever your skill level, there’s a trail for you here. If you’d rather not do it alone offer guided hikes, so you don’t have to worry about navigating or getting lost.
The Morton Arboretum
Hiking through rough or rocky terrain can be hard on the ankles and knees. For a weed chip trail that’s softer underfoot, the Morton Arboretum is a good choice.
This place is a 1,700-acre landscape described as a ‘living museum’ because of its dedication to growing and preserving hundreds of species of trees.
From 7 am to sunset, you can explore the trails here. First, there’s Big Rock, a 25-minute hike through oak and maple woodland. Then, there’s a route from the Fragrance Garden to Lake Marmo, which is a slightly more difficult trail, requiring appropriate footwear.
Hiking boots are one of the essential things to pack for hiking in Chicago, so don’t forget those!
The longest trail here is the East Side Main Trail Loop 2, which is just under 1.6 miles in total. It takes you through oak, beeches and Appalachia, all on a woodchipped ground.
Get Motivated
Hiking in Chicago is a great way to shake up your fitness routine and get outdoors. You’ll have so much fun exploring that you won’t even realize how much exercise you’re doing along the way.
If you need some motivation to get out there, make an awesome motivational playlist to listen to along the way or bring a friend with you. Having a fitness partner is a great way to keep you on track with your goals and stay committed. Plus, it makes it more interesting.
If you need some more help meeting your fitness goals, get in touch to see what our team of fitness professionals can do for you.