The North Branch Trail is a part of the Cook County Forest Preserve trail system. This trail is approximately 20 miles long, beginning at Irene C. Hernandez Park in the city of Chicago all the way north to the Skokie Lagoons in the city of Glencoe. There are both unpaved and paved parts of this trail which welcome walkers, runners, and bikers from all over the north shore. Harms Woods Park, Trail Access at New Trier West, and Erikson Woods Picnic Grove at the Skokie Lagoons are just some available trail access points!

1. Harms Woods Park and Trail

Address: Harms Rd Glenview, IL 60025
Map Link to Harms Woods Park and Trail

Parking available at North, Central, and South entrances of park

2. North Branch Trail Access at New Trier High School, West

Address: 7 N Happ Rd, Northfield, IL 60093
Map Link to New Trier High School West Access to North Branch Trail

Parking available at South Lot adjacent to N Branch Trail

3. Skokie Lagoons Erikson Woods Picnic Grove

Address: Erikson Woods Willow Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093
Map Link to Erikson Woods Picnic Grove

Parking at Erikson Woods Picnic Grove just off Willow Rd with access to paved and unpaved paths

The Green Bay Trail is a tail that begins in the city of Wilmette and ends in Highland Park. The trail runs through the cities of Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Glencoe for a total of 9-miles. The trail has both asphalt and crushed stone surfaces for bikers and walkers alike. The trail runs parallel with the Metra North Line and is 1-mile west of Lake Michigan.

4. Green Bay Trail

Address: 400 Maple Street, Winnetka, IL 60093
Map Link to Green Bay Trail Winnetka Access on Maple Ave

Limited street parking available at beginning of trail on Forest Ave in Wilmette, Maple Ave in Winnetka, or at Metra Parking Lots along the trail.

There are some great walking paths that are linked along the lake front in downtown Evanston. Dawes Park is right near Clark Street Beach and Northwestern University. That makes this park a great place to start if you want to head north and walk around the beautiful lakefront campus. If you desire traveling south, you can follow the walking and biking path down to Evanston Beach and Elliot Park.

5. Dawes Park

Address: 1700 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201
Map Link to Dawes Park for Lake Front Trail

Paid parking can be found at 1631 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201

   

Looking for a place to easily assess how much you’re walking? Try heading to a local north shore track! New Trier East and Evanston High Schools have great tracks facilities with soft and flat surfaces to walk on. Without the hassle of having deal with cross walks and traffic, exercising on a track may be an ideal option.

6. New Trier High School Track, East Campus

Address: 385 Winnetka Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093
Map Link to New Trier High School East Track

Parking located just west of track on school campus

7. Evanston High School Track

Address: 1600 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Map Link for Evanston High School Track

Parking located just east of track on school campus. Track is located on west side of school campus in athletic facilities.

When exercises outside, always be prepared! Consider having these items in the car or bringing them along during your walk:

1. Water and Snacks
2. Rain Jackets and Umbrellas
3. Sunscreen, Hat, and Sunglasses
4. Appropriate and supportive walking shoes
5. Extra Jacket
6. Assistive Device (if needed)
7. Phone (for emergencies)
8. First Aide Kit
9. Exercise Partner such as your Assisting Hands Caretaker!