As the summer winds down, it’s time for an exciting way to spend those last sunny and warm days. Whether you are hiking or biking, Illinois and Indiana offer many trails for end-of-summer fun. Grab your map, load your car with your equipment and don’t forget the sunscreen, water and food – it’s going to be a good time!

There’s no better way to experience the area’s landscape; whether you explore remote regions or hike a more traveled trail, it’ll be a great experience.

The Tunnel Hill State Trail gives you scenic views of Illinois as it follows an old railroad bed. It starts at Harrisburg and continues through New Castle, entering the Shawnee National Forest. At New Burnside, the trail goes past bluffs; south of Vienna, it goes through wetlands. Finally, in Karnnak, it makes its way through the Cache River State Natural Area’s cypress-tupelo swamp. On the trail, you may encounter animals such as deer, dove quail and wild turkeys, plus cottonwood, hickory and sweet gum trees. For more information, visit http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R5/tunnel.htm. 

For cyclists, the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail gives you 20 miles of pure fun from Alton to Pere Marquette State Park. This bike trail runs parallel to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway and the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. For more information, visit www.greatriverroad.com/vadalabene.htm.

The Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail is ideal for hikers, nature lovers and history buffs. The 96-mile trail takes you through state parks, varied landscape and restored historical sites starting at Rockdale. Unique sites along the path include the restored Nettle Creek Aqueduct in Gebhard Wood State Park, the Fox River Aqueduct (the largest on the I&M Canal) and one of the oldest earth sculptures ever built, the Effigy Tumuli near Buffalo Rock State Park. The trail, which is actually an old canal towpath, gives you easy walking and amazing views. Cyclists can also utilize the trail (horseback riding is prohibited). For more information, visit http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/Parks/I&M/Main.htm.

Indiana’s Wabash Heritage Trail provides 13 miles of nature at its finest. This hiking trail runs along the Wabash River to downtown Lafayette, then heads toward Fort Quiatenon. The Wabash Heritage Trail is steeped in history. Its starting point is the battleground where General William Henry Harrison defeated the Indians of the area. Along the way, you’ll see birds and other wildlife and cottonwood, sycamore and buckeye trees. Note that this trail is linear, not a loop, and no horses or bikes are allowed. For more information, visit www.indianatrails.org/Wabash_Heritage.htm.

Knobstone Trail in Indiana offers 58 miles of rugged backcountry hiking comparable to the Appalachian Trail. The trail is broken into seven trailheads:  Delaney and Spurgeon, Oxley, Elk Creek, Leota, New Chapel, Jackson and Deam Lake. The trail follows the Knobstone Escarpment with its many steep cliffs and descents, and is considered a difficult trail.   

Happy trails!