Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joel on October 14, 2011 at 2:45am

Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, IL is right off the Metra.

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Permalink Reply by Elliot Bennett on October 14, 2011 at 3:33am

The DesPlaines River Trail is great for fall colors, but is flat.

I would second Joel's suggestion of IL Beach State Park, very nice this time of year.

You can also take the train to Indiana Dunes: http://www.nictd.com/ but the train schedule can be iffy, and they dont allow bikes on the train.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on October 14, 2011 at 8:31am

Moraine Hills State Park is nice and kinda-sorta "hilly".  You need to ride your bike to it from the Metra but its not too far.  Nearby is Volo Bog which is pretty and worth a stop. 

 

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/MORHILLS.HTM

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/VOLOBOG.HTM

 

Palos Woods, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve and various parks along the Des Plaines/I+M Canal river valley are going to be as hilly as it gets in the area but the Metra Line that runs along it doesn't operate on weekends.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Alan Lloyd on October 14, 2011 at 8:42am

Some parts of the Illinois State Beach Park in Zion are still closed, see http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/Ilbeach.htm

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on October 14, 2011 at 9:43am

thanks to all who posted suggestions...these are all great.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Jared on October 14, 2011 at 9:46am

Fort Sheridan up in Highwood/Highland Park.  Has its own station and a beach with bluffs, though not all that much of a trail system.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Markus on October 14, 2011 at 4:59pm

Hills? In Chicagoland?

Well Metra can get ya to some nice areas but most suffer the midwest flatland disease. It can also get you to some nice town hiking with nice architecture to stroll around.

The alternative transport is CTA/Pace which can get you to several Forest Preserves with room to stretch your legs. CTA Orange Line trains to a bus at Midway can get you to the Palos Hills complex of preserves which is the most topographically challenging of the Cook County preserves. Blue Line trains to Pace buses can get you to Busse Woods which tho flat has a large footprint and yer near to Woodfield Mall and Ikea.

The Metra lines can get you to areas as diverse as the North lake regions around Antioch and the SW of Joliet. But the specifics for these are best laid out on their web sites for times and schedules.

Jeff

The Chicagoan

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Permalink Reply by Anand Kalelkar on October 15, 2011 at 3:46pm

The Metra Willow Springs station takes you right near the Palos forest preserve, with many miles of limestone and dirt trails.

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on October 16, 2011 at 7:22am

Yes, Swallow Cliff woods in Palos Park, IL off of La Grange road.  I usually start at Swallow Cliffs south around.  You can spend a lot of time there exploring, and it should be really nice there this time of year.  The last time I was there was about a 3 weeks or a month ago.  Really beautiful.

There are gravel trails for biking and hiking, and trails that cut straight through the woods and wind around, with some steep ravines and such once you get a little deeper into the woods.  Right next to their toboggan hills there is a big steep set of stairs that lots of people go there to climb for a work out.  There is also a small lake in the preserves, and tons of nice trails for hiking or biking.  My dog loves it there.

I live on the north side so it is a bit of a drive, (sorry I don't know how to get there by train or bus, if that's possible) but it's worth it to get out of the city for me.

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