Mississippi Palisades State Park
Summary
If you’ve been dying for some serious climbs within a relatively short distance of Chicago, the trails in the Mississippi Palisades will give you what you’re looking for.
The Northern section trails are wider and less strenuous, as they follow defunct road beds. They’re suitable for walking or running abreast, and you can combine them into a fairly long composite hike if you have time at your disposal.
The southern section consists of tight footpaths and switchbacks that get perilously close to edges of bluffs and ravines, have some steep rock scrambles, and require your full concentration, particularly in icy conditions. Leaf litter can be treacherously slippery, so although these trails are not very long, they can be quite demanding, and even hazardous under certain conditions. (Note: sections of the Sunset Trail have been fortified with a plastic grid, possibly in an effort to control erosion. This material is extremely slippery in near-freezing conditions, and I hope the park’s management reconsiders its use.)
The views of the Mississippi River from numerous area overlooks are astounding.
Illinois DNR Mississippi Palisades page.
Illinois State Parks Mississippi Palisades page.