Sag Valley Main Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers

This trail features mostly small rolling hills with a few bigger hills on the east end.

Around Mile 4, Swallow Cliffs - North has a pair of stairs, a large sledding hill, and restrooms with flush toilets. Many people climb these stairs for fitness. The sledding hill is a recent conversion from a pair of toboggan runs that was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1930

The trail is a well marked, mixed-use, packed dirt trail. Equestrians and cyclists also use this trail on a regular basis, so keep proper trail etiquette in mind when visiting this area.  Follow the yellow blazes to keep on this loop. The rolling hills of this trail creates a terrain varied elevation that is found in few places in northeast Illinois.

The logged trail begins at the Swallow Cliffs - South forest preserve. It begins near the Brown Trail, but this loop follows the yellow blazes for its remainder. The trail crosses several creeks via bridges. Smaller streets are crossed, but for US-45/Lagrange Road, the trail passes through an underpass. After periods of substantial rain, there may be standing water in these underpasses.

In warmer months, proper precautions should be taken for mosquitoes and ticks. Poison ivy is found just off the trails.

The Palos and Sag Valley preserves, in Southwest Cook County, comprise the largest and most diversified holding for the Cook County Forest Preserve. Mostly hilly and forested, they are notable for scenic beauty and rich in history back to glacial and geologic times. Masses of hawthorns and crabapples bloom in spring; the woodlands provide colorful autumn foliage. There are fine upland meadows; many lakes, ponds, and sloughs; a great variety and abundance of wildlife and the best fishing waters in Cook County.