Earlier this month, Mappy Hour Chicago, in partnership with Women Who Explore: Greater Chicago Area, traveled to the Palos Trail System for a fall foliage hike.
The group followed the Purple Loop trail, a close to 2.5-mile route on the forest’s north edge, following the ravine-filled topography of this region. The Palos Trails are notably the most hilly system of trails throughout the Chicagoland area. Hikers flock to this region of the city for the challenge as they climb the subtle but noticeable inclines across the trail system.
We also love the Palos Trail because you can:
- Bring a mountain bike to explore 25+ miles of single-track mountain bike trails
- Book a campsite or cabin at nearby Camp Bullfrog Lake to extend your adventure
- Pit-stop at Imperial Oak Brewing in Willow Springs for a beer after your hike
- Fish at Bullfrog Lake or Maple Lake
- Rent a paddle board or boat from the Maple Lake Boating Center or Bullfrog Lake Boat Landing
Interest in planning your own hiking adventure within the Palos Trail System?
Check out the Palos Trail System landing page on the Forest Preserves of Cook County website or check out the Forest Preserve System’s interactive web map of the area to chart your own route. You can also watch this talk with Artt Mathews, Operations Manager at our Department of Conservation & Experiential Programming at the Cook County Forest Preserves to learn more about the region:
About Women Who Explore: Greater Chicago Area
Our friends and partners at Women Who Explore: Greater Chicago Area organize group hiking trips for womxn in and around Chicago and the Midwest. With the goal of encouraging women (including trans, non-binary and allies of the community) to believe in themselves and in each other, Women Who Explore provides community-centric experiences dedicated to getting womxn together in the outdoors.
