Hebron Trail

Open to runners, walkers, bikers and equestrians, the rustic and rural Hebron Trail provides the perfect nature escape. The trail does include a very small section of road that crosses an active rail line, but it is a lightly used county road. Only a couple miles from the Illinois–Wisconsin border, this route sees many users from both sides of the state line. And as such, brush up on your trail etiquette and call out when passing equestrians, or if you are passing on snowmobiles.

Starting from Church Street, this quiet and peaceful trail cuts through the rural and heavily wooded outskirts of Hebron until the trees succumb to fields of corn and other local agricultural. Toward the trail's end, the trees begin to return, providing plenty of opportunities for enjoyment of the natural beauty, wildlife and birds of the tree-lined corridors. Hikers along the trail may belong to the McHenry County Century Hikers Club, an organization that encourages people to get out and hike area trails and keep track of their mileage. When members reach 100 miles, they are officially recognized with a Century Club T-shirt. Members who log 1,000 miles or more get their names on a plaque.

The corridor was originally the Kenosha Division Railroad. Spanning from Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Rockford, Illinois, the trains served as a lifeline to the outside world, hauling mail, newspapers and dairy. Out on this quiet trail, you can get a small glimpse of what life was like before cell phones, pagers and the predominance of automobiles.

To access the Church Street starting point, follow State Route 47 to the town of Hebron and turn east on State Route 173 (Maple Avenue). Take the first left onto Church Street and look for the trailhead parking on the right.