five fall hikes to take in the chicago southland

After months of heat and humidity, the Chicago Southland finally has a reprieve as we have moved to fall weather... the cool breeze, the fall colors, the crunch of leaves and frosty grass beneath our feet. It’s a great time to head out for a hike and enjoy the outdoors - sans the sweltering sun and bugs of the previous season.

Burnham Greenway Trail System
(Burnham, Calumet City, Lansing, Chicago)
11.5 miles
FPDCC.com
This highly tree-lined trail runs on a former railroad right-of-way that links Eggers Grove to the north with the Thorn Creek Trail System to the south.

Cal Sag Trail
(Alsip, Blue Island, Calumet City, Dolton, Lemont, Palos Heights, & Riverdale)
26.8 miles
FPDCC.com
The Cal-Sag Trail connects five regional multi-use trails, creating a Chicago Southland trail system that stretches from the Sag Quarries in Lemont to the Burnham Greenway near the Indiana border.

Major Taylor Trail
(Chicago and Riverdale)
8.1 miles
FPDCC.com
The Major Taylor Trail runs from Dan Ryan Woods south to Whistler Woods and includes paved segments and off-street paved segments managed by the Chicago Park District.

Old Plank Road Trail
(Frankfort, Matteson, Park Forest, Chicago Heights)
22 miles
ReconnectWithNature.org
The Old Plank Road Trail exists on abandoned railroad property that was acquired for the creation of the trail. Before the railroad was built it was a Native American Transportation corridor also used by traders, trappers and missionaries. Enjoy this scenic trail that also makes its way through downtown Frankfort.

Plum Creek Greenway Trail
(Crete Township)
3.26 miles
ReconnectWithNature.com
The Plum Creek Greenway Trail travels 3.15 miles through Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, with a separate 1-mile stretch at Plum Valley Preserve. is a mostly hilly, crushed limestone linear and loop trail.

For additional hiking trails, visit FPDCC.com and ReconnectWithNature.org.

Looking for a shorter stroll? Check out different park districts within the Chicago Southland. Here are a few parks that have walking paths:

Arbor Lake Park, Orland Park
Ballantre Park, Flossmoor
Bremen Heights Park, Midlothian
Fireman’s Park, Beecher
Indian Trails Park, Homewood
Van Laten Park, Lansing
Veterans Memorial Park, Worth
Village Green, Palos Park

Click here to view our interactive Chicago Southland Biking and Walking Trails App.

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