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Take advantage of the three-day weekend by exploring the area’s hiking and biking trails.

Both Lake and Will counties’ forest preserve districts have kicked off their fall walking challenges, encouraging people to track their mileage on designated trails through Nov. 30. 

Will County has designated 10 trails for its Woods Walk program (look for the "Woods Walk" signs), and the Hike Lake County challenge has a dozen trail options for people to choose from, with distances mostly in the 2-mile range. Complete seven hikes in either program and receive the equivalent of a merit badge. Visit the Lake County Forest Preserve and Will County Forest Preserve websites for trail guides, maps and trail logs.  

The DuPage County Forest Preserve District also has a handy trail guide, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County has built an interactive web map of its extensive network of trails.

Other resources include the comprehensive Trail Link website and Openlands’ “Get Outside Map.”

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has also organized a series of bike rides for September, aptly named “Pedal the Prairie.” The rides build in distance from 7 miles for the first ride on Saturday, to 22 miles on Sept. 19, culminating in a 28-mile ride on Sept. 26. Locations include the I&M Canal Trail and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

A guide will lead riders on the outgoing trip, and then the return is self-paced. All rides set out at 8 a.m. and while participation is free, registration is required. Click here for more information.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]