Pistakee Highlands is a region in McHenry County, Illinois, characterized by its diverse natural landscapes and extensive trail networks. Situated near Pistakee Bay and the larger Chain O' Lakes system, the area features a mix of wetlands, bogs, and glacial formations, including Moraine Hills State Park. These varied environments, from paved paths to natural trails, provide a foundation for outdoor activities such as hiking, jogging, road cycling, and touring cycling.
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27
Routes
4.7
(27)
Average rating
214
People visited

5.0
(1)
32
hikers
7.03km
01:48
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
21
hikers
5.54km
01:25
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
10
hikers
9.40km
02:26
60m
60m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
hikers
8.91km
02:19
50m
60m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
56.7km
02:34
220m
220m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

12
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

8
riders
38.2km
01:57
140m
140m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

1
runners
4.07km
00:25
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
4.28km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
4.66km
00:34
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
11
riders
42.0km
02:31
150m
150m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
6
riders
52.9km
03:14
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(6)
17
riders
30.0km
01:49
150m
150m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
39.1km
03:02
140m
140m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Pistakee Highlands offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, road cycling, and touring cycling. The region features diverse natural landscapes and extensive trail networks suitable for various outdoor pursuits. More than 485 visitors have shared experiences on komoot.
The area around Pistakee Highlands includes trails like the Leatherleaf Bog Trail, which is 3.2 miles (5.1 km) long with an easy to medium difficulty. Moraine Hills State Park also offers over 10 miles (16 km) of trails. For more options, consult the guide Hiking around Pistakee Highlands.
Yes, Pistakee Highlands provides easy hiking options. The Leatherleaf Bog Trail is considered easy to medium difficulty. For a curated list of less strenuous routes, refer to the guide Easy hikes around Pistakee Highlands.
Pistakee Highlands offers routes for both road cycling and touring cycling. The Prairie Trail, a 26-mile (42 km) bike path, passes through prairies, forests, and small towns. The Des Plaines River Trail also provides a 31-mile (50 km) stretch for cyclists. Find more routes in Cycling around Pistakee Highlands.
The region is characterized by Pistakee Bay and Lake, part of the Chain O' Lakes system. Significant natural features include the Pistakee Bog Nature Preserve, wetlands, and glacial formations found in Moraine Hills State Park, which features Lake Defiance.
Pistakee Highlands is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 485 visitors having explored routes in the area. The routes have an average rating of 4.68 out of 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Pistakee Highlands, including Hiking around Pistakee Highlands, Easy hikes around Pistakee Highlands, and Cycling around Pistakee Highlands. There are also guides for jogging and road cycling.
Yes, the region offers trails suitable for jogging. The Leatherleaf Bog Trail, for example, is a 3.2-mile (5.1 km) path that can be used for running. More options are detailed in the guide Running Trails around Pistakee Highlands.
The Des Plaines River Trail is a long-distance trail near Pistakee Highlands, offering 31 miles (50 km) of scenic views through Lake County. It connects to other trails like the North Shore Bike Path and the Millennium Trail, providing extensive options for cycling and hiking.
For information regarding the Pistakee Bog State Natural Area, contact the Volo Bog State Natural Area at 815-344-1294. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission can also provide details at 217-785-8686.
Moraine Hills State Park is a significant natural feature near Pistakee Highlands, named for its glacial formations. The park contains over 10 miles (16 km) of trails for hikers, skiers, and cyclists, winding through lakes and alongside a river. It also features Lake Defiance, a largely undeveloped glacial lake.
Yes, the Des Plaines River Trail offers a 31-mile (50 km) route, and the Prairie Trail provides a 26-mile (42 km) path. These trails connect to other networks, allowing for extended cycling journeys through diverse landscapes.

