Let’s be honest: navigating the daily hustle of the crowded CTA, smoggy Chicago air, and exploding ambulance sirens can leave anyone craving a restorative escape.
For many of us, leaving the city behind for a grand hiking trail can be the ideal way to decompress. Now, a stunning hiking route in Illinois is officially receiving the national recognition it deserves.
In her recently released book, 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A., National Geographic expert Stephanie Pearson highlights the absolute best scenic trails across the country.
This Illinois trail is one of the top 100 ‘hikes of a lifetime’
Proudly included on that prestigious list is our very own River to River Trail in Illinois!
This long moderate hike doesn’t require you to complete it all; while the whole hike takes around two weeks, tackling part of it is a must for anyone looking to experience some of the most dramatic landscapes this spring.
The trail connects the Ohio River in the east to the mighty Mississippi River in the west, carving a snaking line through southern Illinois’s Shawnee National Forest. This rugged landscape features rock outcroppings, oak-hickory forests, and razorback canyons. Ironically, it was never a permanent settlement for the nation that takes its name from it.
The Shawnee once cherished this land as a tranquil retreat, a sanctuary from the relentless attacks of the Iroquois and the advancing tide of European settlers.
Today, many hikers find that Illinois’s only national forest is a treasure trove of surprises, showcasing a landscape of undulating hills and remarkable geological formations. Among these, the Garden of the Gods stands out—a stunning cluster of sandstone rocks, beautifully sculpted by the forces of wind and water, stacked in a manner reminiscent of pancakes.
Each year, around 100 intrepid thru-hikers embark on the River to River Trail, drawn not only by the scenery but also by the history woven into the landscape.
As the trail meanders through the forest, it guides adventurers past significant Civil War sites, run-down settler homesteads, and iconic formations like Battery Rock, a spectacular vista that served as a backdrop for the classic film “How the West Was Won.”
In this region that echoes Mark Twain’s legacy, many trail names pay homage to his narratives.
Why do thru-hikers carry a vial of water across Illinois?
A cherished tradition among westbound hikers is to collect a small vial of Ohio River water, a symbolic gesture to pour into the mighty Mississippi River upon the journey’s end, marking the conclusion of an unforgettable adventure.
Trail details at a glance:
Location: The trail begins in Southern Illinois, on the east side, at Battery Rock on the Ohio River near Elizabethtown, and ends at Grand Tower on the Mississippi River to the west.
Distance: 160 miles one-way
Time: 14 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Best time to go: Spring, fall, or winter