If you are into history and some peace and quiet, the Great Western Trail in Illinois will take you on a hike through an abandoned railway into the lush land of terrestrial plants and wildlife. It is divided into sections of the abandoned Chicago Great Western Railway corridor, and its history is fascinating. The Railway was founded in 1885 linking Chicago, Omaha, Minneapolis, and Kansas City. The regional line called the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad, between St. Paul and the Iowa state line, merged with the Chicago and North Western Railway in 1968.

 

The Western Section of The Great Western Trail In Illinois is the oldest section, located between eastern Sycamore in DeKalb County and western St. Charles in Kane County. In 1977, this right-of-way was abandoned.

V SIP/AllTrails The trailhead is located on Dean Street in St. Charles, offering restrooms and water. There is also a connector here to Randall Road Bike Trail, an option to extend your trip.

The trail guides you through streams, wetlands, farms, and original prairie remnants. Also passing through Virgil and Lily Lake, it parallels Illinois State Route 64.

Tom K/AllTrails Watch out ahead for the interesting structures you will run into on this scenic hike.

Take photos of the clouds through this artistic web.

Katie Wadington/AllTrails

After about 4.5 miles, the trail turns from small, packed gravel to pavement.

Tom K/AllTrails

The long hike is a great way to let go of the stressors the day might bring and reflect on what might have been.

Tom K/AllTrails Parking is available in Saint Charles at the trailhead in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve. If you are near Sycamore, parking is located off Old State Road. LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL 60175, USA

The Eastern Section of The Great Western Trail in Illinois is located between Villa Park and West Chicago in DuPage County, near Lombard. It was created from a right-of-way that was abandoned throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

Deanna Minkler/AllTrails This 12.7-mile crushed-stone path crosses suburban areas and farmland.

During the summer, water and restrooms are available in many areas along the way. But in other months, be sure to pack plenty of water.

Tom K/AllTrails Peaceful scenes like this one are plentiful along the way, no matter the season.

The trail is almost flat the entire way, with the exception of some bridges and overpasses.

Sallie Carter/AllTrails These transmission towers flank the trail in certain areas, making for an interesting landscape.

Hopefully you are getting a plan together to hike through this interesting, abandoned railway in Illinois.

V SIP/AllTrails

The trailhead is located on Dean Street in St. Charles, offering restrooms and water. There is also a connector here to Randall Road Bike Trail, an option to extend your trip.

Tom K/AllTrails

Watch out ahead for the interesting structures you will run into on this scenic hike.

Katie Wadington/AllTrails

Parking is available in Saint Charles at the trailhead in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve. If you are near Sycamore, parking is located off Old State Road.

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL 60175, USA

Deanna Minkler/AllTrails

This 12.7-mile crushed-stone path crosses suburban areas and farmland.

Peaceful scenes like this one are plentiful along the way, no matter the season.

Sallie Carter/AllTrails

These transmission towers flank the trail in certain areas, making for an interesting landscape.

For a similar adventure, check out the amazing Tunnel Hill Rail Trail in Illinois that takes you through an abandoned train tunnel. Have a great time and let us know how it goes!

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Address: Illinois Caverns State Natural Area, 4369 G Rd, Waterloo, IL 62298, USA