Please join us for an invigorating walk through Busse Woods! Busse Woods/Ned Brown Preserve is 3,558 acres and part of the Cook County Forest preserve system.Since 1925, a small elk herd has inhabited a 17-acre enclosed pasture in Busse Woods. The walk is a 12k loop on a paved bicycle trail through Busse's upland forest, an ancient remnant, full of tall red oaks and hickories, maple, ash, basswood, elm and very large ironwoods. The walk passes the elk enclosure, boating area, dam, and various picnic areas. The 5k walk is an out-and-back walk to the elk enclosure.
Walk begins at 10 a.m. Please arrive a few minutes early to register.
Start Location: Busse Forest Main Dam Grove 26 & 27
Elk Grove Village, IL
The Windy City Walkers join the Downers Grove Historical Society and other groups to celebrate Founders Fest in Downers Grove with a self-paced walk with written directions and map. Two routes are offered – 3 miles and 6 miles.
Registration is 9:00 am to 11:00 am. You may choose from: (1) Guided Group walk which will begin at 9:30 a.m. (Registration at 9:00 a.m.) or (2) Self-guided walk which can take place anytime. The Guided Walk is a relaxed pace, group walk. The self-guided walk is at your own pace. The walk route includes downtown, neighborhoods, and parks throughout Downers Grove.
Resgistration Location: Downers Grove History Museum Annex
831 Maple, Downers Grove, IL
Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook is a part of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. The trail through Fullersburg Woods follows Salt Creek through woods and prairie. In the 1930s, the Forest Preserve was the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. There is a wonderful CCC-built Visitor Center/Nature Center at the beginning of the trail, and a number of CCC-era stone and wood shelters scattered along the way. There are frequent sightings of delightful woodland creatures along the way, and a large variety of migrating and resident birds. The trail leads to Graue Mill and Museum - a working grist mill and a National Historic Landmark. The 10K trail also passes the Oak Brook Public Library, Butler National Golf Course, and Oak Brook Golf Course, using part of the Salt Creek Greenway Trail before returning to Fullersburg Woods.
Walk begins at 10 a.m. Please arrive a few minutes early to register.
Start Location: Fullersburg Woods Nature Center
3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook, IL
Geneva is a quaint, historic town with many eating and shopping opportunities along the walk. The 5k route takes you to the Fox River, downtown on the Lincoln Heritage Highway (LHH), and past beautiful homes in the Historic District. The 10K route passes interesting shops and restaurants on 3rd St, past the train depot and the Kane County Government Center to a railroad/pedestrian bridge over the Fox River. A hike/bike trail through Forest Preserves and a park take you along the river and back to Geneva's Historic District.
Walk begins at 10 a.m. Please arrive a few minutes early to register.
Start Location: Geneva Public Library
227 South 7th St, Geneva, IL
The Chicago Lakefront walk passes all of Chicago's finest attractions - the Museum campus, Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Chicago Water Tower. There are stunning views of the city skyline from the Museum campus. If you have lots of time, book a ticket to the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, or the Adler Planetarium. Navy Pier has many restaurants and a beer garden to enjoy. This is one walk that covers a lot ! Much of the walk is along Lake Michigan - use sunscreen, especially during the summer.
Walk begins at 10 a.m. Please arrive a few minutes early to register.
Start Location: Hostelling International USA
24 E. Ida B Wells, Chicago, IL
Midewin is the first national and largest tallgrass prairie restoration effort east of the Mississippi River. 33 miles of trails are open for non-motorized recreation. Trails are on old roads and railroad beds surfaced with crushed gravel and mowed grass. Walks pass through large open fields and restored prairie. On the trails you can view and pass old ammunition bunkers--the remnants of the long-closed Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, the WWII-designed Bailey Bridge, and Midewin's bison herd. Parts of the trail are shared with bicyclists and equestrians.
Walk begins at 10 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early to register.
Start Location: Midewin Welcome Center
30239 S. IL Route 53, Wilmington, IL
The trail will take you into historic neighborhoods and the downtown business area (listed on the National Register of Historic Places). You will walk on the Illinois Michigan Canal path, along the Illinois River, over a unique boardwalk, and into a city park. The trail is on paved walkways & roads. The Illinois Michigan Canal path is gravel.
Walk begins at 10 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early to register.
Start Location: Morris Public Library
604 Liberty Street, Morris, IL
Join us for a walk in historic Frankfort. Our route takes us through its downtown area, passing the Frankfort Grainery and Breidert Green Park and we will walk on part of the Old Plank Trail, a paved recreation trail.
Walk begins at 10 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early to register.
Start Location: TBD
The Chicago Gold Coast walk takes you on Chicago's famed Michigan Avenue past the Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park. The 10K option continues over the Chicago River along the Magnificent Mile to the Gold Coast neighborhood. Gracious townhomes line the streets leading to the Chicago History Museum. The 5K option will take you along Chicago's new Riverwalk to LaSalle Street, Chicago's center for government and finance. Strollers may find Riverwalk option difficult due to stairs.
Walk begins at 10 a.m. Please arrive a few minutes early to register.
Start Location: Hostelling International USA
24 E. Ida B Wells, Chicago, IL