Take a hike at these six top spots in the suburbs

Posted January 01, 2016 4:30 am

Marie Wilson

Wander along the bridges and paths of the Des Plaines Trail. Courtesy of Cook County Forest Preserve

Flatlanders, beware: There are actually plenty of great hiking spots in the suburbs. The northern Illinois landscape is far from flat and boring - if you know where to look. Trails feature rolling hills, woodlands, prairies, historic farm buildings, river shorelines and brilliant foliage that changes with the seasons.

Without leaving suburban downtowns or neighborhoods, there are pretty water scenes around Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights or along the DuPage and Fox rivers in Naperville and Batavia.

To find even more splendid scenery, tie on some sturdy shoes, pack a bag of trail mix and check out these six hiking destinations.

Best in winter

For winter hiking or cross-country skiing, check out Hickory Grove Highlands in Cary at 500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane. As part of the McHenry County Conservation District, the preserve offers a one-mile looped trail through a restored savanna that's fit for traversing in the winter with or without snow. Info: mccdistrict.org/rccms/index.php/hiking/

Best educational

Morton Arboretum in Lisle is a great place for a family hike through 16 miles of wood-chipped or mowed trails and nine more miles of paved paths. Daily Herald file photo

Learn about trees and the benefits they provide while hiking at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53 in Lisle, which offers 16 miles of rolling trails and nine miles of paved roads through wetlands, prairies and forests. Info: mortonarb.org/visit-explore/activities-and-exhibits/arboretum-roads-and-trails/hiking

Best in evening

After early sunsets, check out two solar-lighted paths in Lake County: a 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, on St. Mary's Road just south of Route 176, or a hilly, 1.65-mile stretch of the Millennium Trail adjacent the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda, on Fairfield Road just south of 176. Info: lcfpd.org/maps/

Best day trip

For a long-distance hike, check out the Des Plaines River Trail in Cook and Lake counties. Suburban entrance points include Potawatomi Woods on Dundee Road east of Milwaukee Avenue near Wheeling and Independence Grove at Route 137 and Buckley Road near Libertyville. Info: fpdcc.com/preserves-and-trails/maps/ or lcfpd.org/maps/

Best historical

Take in the region's agricultural heritage while hiking a 1.6-mile limestone trail through St. James Farm Forest Preserve near Warrenville, on Winfield Road just north of Butterfield Road. Hikers can view colorful stable and dairy buildings, enjoy woodlands and prairies, and connect to the Aurora branch of the Illinois Prairie path. Info: dupageforest.com/StJamesFarm/

Best for sightseers

Take a stroll along the Fox River Trail through Kane County communities, including South Elgin. Daily Herald file photo

The Fox River Trail through Kane County takes hikers through downtowns of communities including Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, South Elgin and Elgin, offering sights of both nature and suburbia. Info: kaneforest.com/recreation/trails/foxRiver.aspx

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