- Time of past OR future Camino
- First: Camino Francés 2002; most recent: Norte/Primitivo 2019
A little flooding on the Mississippi couldn't stop me from crossing into Iowa today, as I approach the 500-mile mark on this walk. This means I've now completed the American Discovery Trail's northern route across Illinois, to pair with my double-crossing of Indiana. Illinois has significant advantages over Indiana on the walking front, with both approaches enjoying extended stretches of footpaths and dirt roads, as opposed to the relentless pavement of the Hoosier state.
Both options through Illinois are worth considering if you're looking for a walking trip in the US. The southern approach is more rugged (particularly the first half), with some longer sections with little in the realm of services. You'd need to be comfortable with camping. Even later, you'd want to consider making some modifications, as I did. By contrast, the north could probably be done with more comfortable accommodation on a nightly basis, though some shuttling might be needed. That route follows the Illinois & Michigan Canal after Joliet, and then transitions to the Hennepin Canal following a road-bound stretch between Peru and Bureau Junction. While the scenery runs the same risk of repetition that similar canal walking on the C&O in Maryland does, I was rarely bored. I loved tracking the turtles, herons, deer, beavers, bunnies, and other birds as I marched along, and I was charmed by the American lotus on the Hennepin. Plus, the regular towns along the I&MC are charming--I was particularly struck by Morris and Utica.
Here are my write-ups from each of these journeys across Illinois:
Southern Illinois:
Both options through Illinois are worth considering if you're looking for a walking trip in the US. The southern approach is more rugged (particularly the first half), with some longer sections with little in the realm of services. You'd need to be comfortable with camping. Even later, you'd want to consider making some modifications, as I did. By contrast, the north could probably be done with more comfortable accommodation on a nightly basis, though some shuttling might be needed. That route follows the Illinois & Michigan Canal after Joliet, and then transitions to the Hennepin Canal following a road-bound stretch between Peru and Bureau Junction. While the scenery runs the same risk of repetition that similar canal walking on the C&O in Maryland does, I was rarely bored. I loved tracking the turtles, herons, deer, beavers, bunnies, and other birds as I marched along, and I was charmed by the American lotus on the Hennepin. Plus, the regular towns along the I&MC are charming--I was particularly struck by Morris and Utica.
Here are my write-ups from each of these journeys across Illinois:
Southern Illinois:
- August 19, 2019 - Wabash River to Shawneetown
- August 20-22, 2019 - Shawneetown to Goreville
- August 23, 2019 - Goreville To Giant City State Park
- August 24, 2019 - Giant City State Park To Murphysboro
- August 25, 2019 - Murphysboro To Chester
- August 26, 2019 - Chester To Red Bud
- August 27, 2019 - Red Bud To Waterloo
- August 28, 2019 - Waterloo to Saint Louis, MO
- July 12, 2024 - Matteson to Joliet
- July 13-16, 2024 - Joliet to Marseilles to Bureau Junction to Annawan to East Moline
- July 17, 2024 - East Moline, IL to Davenport, IA
