The best walks and hikes around Glenview

Yes, many of the forest preserves in the area allow dogs on leashes. A great option is the Waterfront Park & Louisville Champions Dog Park Path loop — Louisville, which is a moderately challenging route. For a more relaxed walk, the trails within Harms Woods and Skokie Lagoons are also popular choices for dog walkers. Always check the specific regulations for the preserve you plan to visit.

The Grove is an excellent destination for families. It features several short, easy-to-walk trails, none longer than 1.3 miles, that wind through woodlands and past educational exhibits like a historic schoolhouse and a Native American Village. The paths are well-maintained and perfect for little legs. Another option is the River Trail Nature Center, which offers short trails and engaging indoor and outdoor exhibits about local wildlife.

For those seeking more distance, the North Branch Trail System is your best bet. This network connects several forest preserves, including Harms Woods and the Skokie Lagoons. You can create long-distance hikes by linking various sections of the trail, which stretches for many miles all the way to the Chicago Botanic Garden.

While Glenview's immediate landscape is characterized by prairies and woodlands, you can find a notable waterfall at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in nearby Darien. It's a popular destination and features a well-known, scenic waterfall along its trail system. It's a bit of a drive but is a favorite for those specifically looking for a waterfall hike.

Hiking in Glenview is rewarding year-round, but spring and fall are particularly beautiful. In spring, Harms Woods is renowned for its vibrant display of wildflowers. Autumn offers spectacular fall foliage from the maples, oaks, and witch hazel trees throughout the area's forest preserves.

The trails at The Grove are designed for easy, educational walks. There are four distinct, well-marked paths that are generally flat and range from a half-mile to 1.3 miles. They take you through a National Historic Landmark, passing through mature oak forests, serene wetland pools, and historic buildings. For more details on the site, you can visit the Grove Heritage Association.

Harms Woods offers a classic woodland hiking experience with trails that cross the Chicago River and are famous for seasonal colors. It's a gateway to the longer North Branch Trail System. Skokie Lagoons, on the other hand, is a larger preserve defined by a series of interconnected lakes. While it also has hiking trails, the focus is more on the water, offering a different kind of scenery with more open, waterside paths.

Yes, the North Branch Trail System includes a significant paved section that is ideal for walking, running, and biking. A popular stretch runs for about 13 miles, connecting Caldwell Woods to the Skokie Lagoons, providing a smooth, accessible surface away from traffic. Harms Woods also features a mix of paved and unpaved paths.

The forest preserves around Glenview are home to a variety of wildlife. On the trails, you might spot white-tailed deer, squirrels, and numerous bird species. The Grove's Interpretive Center features live animals like snakes, turtles, and birds of prey, giving you a closer look at the region's fauna. The wetlands and river areas are also great for birdwatching.

The vast majority of trails in the Glenview area are rated as easy. The landscape is mostly flat, and the paths within the forest preserves are typically well-maintained. Of the 23 routes available, 19 are classified as easy, making it a very accessible region for hikers of all fitness levels. For a slightly more challenging but still manageable walk, consider the Cherokee Park Trail – Scenic Loop loop from Seneca Gardens.

The hiking routes around Glenview are highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the well-preserved natural landscapes within a suburban setting, highlighting the beauty of the mature forests and the accessibility of the trail networks like the North Branch Trail System.

Several spots are local favorites for hiking:

The Grove: A top-rated National Historic Landmark known for its easy, scenic trails and historical buildings.

Harms Woods: A very popular park with beautiful scenery and a mix of paved and unpaved trails along the Chicago River.

Skokie Lagoons: An expansive forest preserve ideal for those who enjoy waterside trails for hiking, fishing, and kayaking.