Etiquette for Hiker/Joggers

  1. Stay to the right of the trail -- pass on the left.
  2. Always yield to equestrians.
  3. If you wish to approach a horse along a trail, ask the rider for guidance. If you are with a child when you come upon a horse, hold the child's hand, and stay to the front (but not directly in front) of the horse. Do not approach a horse from behind. Most equestrians will gladly let you and your child pet their horses, but always ask their permission first.
  4. Announce yourself when overtaking other trail users.
  5. When hiking/jogging with a dog, obey posted leash regulations. Keep a short leash on your dog when passing (or being passed by) horses, cyclists, or other pedestrians. Remember that other trail users may be frightened by your dog and be unsure how to pass you and dog safely.
  6. Stay on marked trails, do not cut new trails.

Hiking Trails   (Mileage shown reflect round-trip/loop distances.)

Some trails listed below are rated for difficulty. Rain, snow and ice conditions may increase the level of difficulty on any trail.

  1. EASY trails require little physical challenge. The train is smooth, level and wide.
  2. MODERATE trails present a physical challenge over some steep terrain. The trail contains roots and rocks and travelers make come into contact with trees, limbs, and other vegetation.
  3. DIFFICULT trails require a high degree of skill and present a real physical challenge in steep terrain. The trail is usually rough and may require crossing streams. The trail contains roots and rocks and travelers make come into contact with trees, limbs, and other vegetation.

Illinois

  •  Alexander County
  •  Franklin County
  •  Gallatin County
  •  Hamilton County
  •  Hardin County
  •  Jackson County
    • American Discovery Trail (Grand Tower)
    • Arrowwood Self-Interpretive Nature Trail
      (0.33 mile) Giant City State Park. Just off of the parking lot at the Visitors Center. This tree identification trail is an easy walk through a young forest. Twelve interpretive signs are located along the trail with tips on identification and uses of trees.
    • Cedar Lake Trail
    • Devil’s Standtable Nature Trail
      (0.33 mile) A trail with some short uphill climbs through a tall forest trees below 70 - 80 feet tall sandstone cliffs.
    • Fountain Bluff Scenic Drive
    • Giant City Nature Trail
      (1 mile) The most popular trail at Giant City Park, this       is home to the famous "streets" of Giant City. You’ll walk on a mulched trail with wooden walkways at difficult spots. There are some strenuous uphill portions on this trail. Take this trail to view a diversity of plant habitats from creek bottomland to dry bluff top. This is also a promising trail for seeing the largest woodpecker in the United States, the pileated woodpecker.
    • Gum Ridge Trail
    • Indian Creek Nature Trail
      (0.75 mile) Giant City State Park. The trail crosses Indian Creek, a rocky stream and provides glimpses of a mature floodplain forest containing large cottonwoods and sycamores.
    • Kinkaid Lake Trail
    • Lake Murphysboro Trail
      (3 miles) A trail that offers hikers the opportunity to enjoy the plant, animal and bird life of the park up close. For those who prefer to explore nature on their own, hundreds of paths criss-cross through the hills and woods of the park.
    • Little Cedar Lake Trail
    • Little Grand Canyon National Recreation Trail
      (3.6miles) Difficult terrain
    • Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve Trail
    • Pomona Bridge Trail
      (.9 miles) Easy to moderate interpretive trail
    • Post Oak Nature Trail
      (0.33 mile) Giant City State Park. A handicapped-accessible trail winds along the top of a beautiful forested sandstone cliff. The paved trail leads visitors through many natural experiences including viewing the life around a small wildlife pond and exploring a dry bluff top oak forest with gorgeous overlooks. This trail is also perfect for elderly visitors or parents with very young children.
    • Red Cedar Trail
      (16 miles) Giant City State Park. You’ll experience a little of everything Giant City has to offer on this trail, including oak-hickory forests, rocky creeks, and sandstone bluffs and shelters. No water is available, so please carry enough to meet your needs for a long way. Although there are creeks crossed on this hike, most of them are intermittent or running only during or after storm events. A primitive tent camping area at 8 miles provides fire grills, picnic tables, and privies. Please stop at the Visitors Center to get a camping permit. This trail is closed during shotgun deer season.
    • SIU-C Secondary Succession Trail (Touch of Nature)
    • SIU-C Sunshine Trail (Touch of Nature)
    • Stonefort Nature Trail (Touch of Nature)
      (0.33 mile) One of only eleven sites found in southern Illinois, a "stonefort" is a wall of heavy stones left by Late Woodland Period       (600 - 900 AD) Native Americans. Although called "stoneforts", their true use is unknown.
    • Trillium Trail
      (2 miles) Giant City State Park. This is a rugged trail with rocky terrain and cliff top edge sections.
    • Walk Away Trail
    • Woodland Trail
       
  •  Union County
  •  Jefferson County
  •  Johnson County

    Cache River Trails. There are 18 miles of foot trails on the Cache River State Natural Area. 

    • Heron Pond Trail:
      (1.5 miles) Access via: Heron Pond Access - This easy trail crosses the Cache River on a suspended bridge, with the highlight being a floating boardwalk into the middle of the Heron Pond. 
    • Little Black Sough: 
      (5.5 miles) Access via: Wildcat Bluff, Marshall Ridge on Heron Pond Access - Bald Cypress and Tupelo swamps, sandstone bluffs, floodplain forests and hillside glades highlight this moderately difficult trail, which gives you access to Boss Island. The Cache River must be crossed on the trail over rocks about 1 1/2 miles west of Wildcat Bluff Access, difficult to cross during high water.
    • Lookout Point Trail: 
      (1 mile) Access via: East of Wildcat Bluff Access - This easy trail takes visitors along the edge of a quality hillside barrens, and provides an overview of the Cache River, its swamps, and floodplain forests.
    • Linkage Trail: 
      (2.4 miles) Access via: Heron Pond, Wildcat Bluff & Marshall Ridge Access - This easy trail links Heron Pond Trail with the Little Black Slough Trail. Visit Illinois' largest (State Champion) Cherrybark Oak Tree.
    • Marshall Ridge Trail: 
      (2.8 miles) Access via: Marshall Ridge Access - This easy trail winds through reforested fields north of the Marshall Ridge Access, and connects with the Linkage Trail to give access to Heron Pond or Little Black Slough.
    • Tupelo Trail: 
      (2.5 miles) Access via: Marshall Ridge Access & Trail - This moderately difficult trail begins 1/4 mile north of the Marshall Ridge Access, and goes through rolling upland forest to the southern shore line of Little Black Slough. It gives excellent views of Tupelo gum trees and Little Black Slough Swamp.
    • Big Cypress Tree Trail: 
      (250 ft.) Access via: Big Cypress Access (Lower Cache River) - This easy floodplain forest trail goes to a +1000 year old Bald Cypress, with a buttress circumference of over 40 feet.
    • Lower Cache River Swamp Trail: 
      (2.5 miles) Access via: Lower Cache River Access - The trail parallels Cypress Creek and the Cache River on a high earth berm, allowing access to a Cypress and Tupelo swamp by foot. In the Spring, at dusk, it is an excellent trail in which to hear the rhythmic croaking of numerous tree frogs. The trail may be flooded and impassable or have wet and muddy conditions.

    Within Ferne Clyffe Park

    • Big Buck Creek Trail
       (2 miles) A difficulty is moderate, scenic, wooded trail that generally follows along Big Buck Creek.
    • Big Rocky Hollow Trail
      An easy hike to a 100-foot tall intermittent waterfall.
    • Bobcat Loop Trail
      (1 mile) A secluded, moderately difficult loop in the heart of the Cedar Bluff area. This trail links with the Cedar Bluff Trail and the Big Buck Creek Trail.
    • Blackjack Oak Trail
      (1 mile) A moderately difficult trail that leads hikers up two steep-climbs from the lake to the Hillside picnic with scenic vistas.
    • Bork's Waterfall Trail
      (0.5 mile) A long trail that provides access to the base of the waterfall. 
    • Cedar Bluff Trail
      (2 miles) Moderately difficult, short hike to a scenic vista atop Cedar Bluff.  For a longer hike, the trail proceeds from the vista along the ridge top then descends the bluff and intersects with the Bobcat Loop Trail.
    • Cedar Bluff Climber's Access Trail
      (0.5 mile) An easy hike that provides foot access to various climbs at a designated climbing/rappelling area, located at the southwest end of Cedar Bluff.
    • Ferne Clyffe Lake Trail
      (      1 mile) An easy hike that provides anglers with an opportunity to get close to the banks of the lake.
    • Goreville Boy Scout Trail
      (0.5 mile) A steep trail that connects the park to the nearby town of Goreville. Moderately difficult.
    • Happy Hollow Backpack Trail
      (0.5 miles) A trail to a primitive backpack campground.
    • Happy Hollow Trail
      (5 miles) A difficult  trail that winds through woods and old fields and includes several steep climbs.
    • Hawk's Cave Trail 
      (0.5 mile)        To one of the largest shelter bluffs in Illinois.
    • High Ridge Trail
      (1.5 mile) A moderately difficult and open to hikers and equestrians. This trail splits off the Big Buck Creek Trail and travels high along a ridge through the woods.
    • Rebman Trail
      (0.25 mile) This trail also provides foot access to a designated climbing/rappelling area.
    • River to River Trail
      (8 miles) within Ferne Clyffe; travels across the state. Cuts across southern Illinois from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River over moderately difficult terrain.
    • Round Bluff Nature Preserve Trail
      (1 mile) A moderately difficult trail that leads hikers past rare plants and impressive rock formations.  You will be following a mesa-like sandstone knoll of vertical cliffs ranging from 50-100 ft in height. The trail has three wood staircases to ease you over steep terrain. Wind and water erosion have formed some interesting rock formations. Unique plant life includes prickly pear cactus, several species of ferns, toothwort, jack-in-the-pulpit, dutchman’s breeches, and farkleberry.
    • Waterfall Trail
      (0.75 mile) A moderately difficult hike beginning at Deer Ridge Campground leading to a waterfall
       
  •  Lawrence County
    • Three foot trails within Red Hills State Park
      • (1 mile) Indian Treaty Trail
      • (1 mile) Robin Trail
      • (1 mile) Tulip Trail Loop
  •  Massac County
  •  Monroe County
  •  Perry County
  •  Pope County
  •  Pulaski County
  •  Randolph County
  •  Saline County
    • Four trails in Saline Co. State Fish and Wildlife Area:
      Lake, Cave Hill, River, and Wildlife Nature Trail.
  •  St. Clair County
  •  Union County
    • Godwin Section of River-to-River Trail
  •  Wabash County
    • Tulip tree trail
      (1.25 miles) Moderately easy
    • White Oak Trail
      Along the banks of the Wabash River.
  •  Washington County
  •  White County
  •  Williamson County

Tennessee

  • SOUTH CUMBERLAND STATE RECREATION AREA
    Located between Nashville and Chattanooga, take the I-24 exit at Monteagle. This park has 6 sections, spread over 30 miles. Go west from the exit to Sewanee and take TN56 south until you see a sign for Sewanee Natural Bridge. After taking in this sight, continue south on the highway as it winds down long swithbacks until you see the parking area for Buggytop Cave Trail. This trail is steep at first and then levels out for 2-3 miles. It has a cave with a top and bottom entrance. This self-guided cave is worth the trip. Upon return to Sewanee, proceed to the college and take North Carolina Ave on out to the parking area for the 20 mile Perimeter Loop Trail. It offers numerous mountaintop views as well as descents below the cliff lines for interesting rock formations, shelter bluffs, caves, and waterfalls.

Last Edited: 08/03/05

 This page last updated: 09/08/10 . Website maintained by Bob Pauls.
Copyright © Shawnee Group, Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club