Best Running And Hiking Trails In The Suburbs

Some runners have no problem lacing up their shoes and hitting the concrete, no matter where they are.

Others, present company included, sometimes need some incentive.

If you want to add a little incentive to your workouts, try some of these running and hiking trails out.

The Green Bay Trail
Wilmette

A bike trail, the Green Bay Trail also makes for a great running path. Starting in Wilmette, the Green Bay Trail eventually turns into the Robert McClory Bike Path , which continues north into Wisconsin as the Kenosha County Bike Trail.

That's right, run far enough and you'll end up in another state.

Joliet Iron Works
Joliet

The Joliet Iron Works are a good change of pace, avoiding the whole "nature" theme of most trails. At one point, the trail was home to one of the largest steel mills in the country. The trail winds among the ruins for a unique experience, which includes informational signs throughout the trail.

Moraine Hills State Park
McHenry

Once upon a time, Northeast Illinois was covered by a sheet of ice. Today, the ice has melted, but moraines -- hills formed by the debris of glaciers -- remain. The Red Trail surrounds Lake Defiance and the Blue Trail loops around the Leatherleaf Bog. Needless to say, there's no shortage of sights to see.

Morton Arboretum
Lisle

Morton Arboretum's five and three mile paved trails offer some of the most beautiful wildflower and foliage scenery in the Chicago area. You can't go off the trails and have to pay to park, but the sights are more than worth it!