Illinois Prairie Path - Aurora Branch

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The crushed-limestone surface of this trail is a welcome reprieve to the knees of many road-weary runners.

This popular urban trail is one of the three original sections of the Illinois Prairie Path. It begins off of N. Broadway near the river in Aurora. From there, it travels north along the river for a short distance before heading east along Hankes Ave.

It promptly begins again on the left as it makes a mellow climb past residences to cross E. Indian Trail. The next several miles are spent beneath large sets of power lines. Soon, the trail reaches a trailhead access point (with parking) before crossing N. Farnsworth Ave.

Prepare to do a little navigating when the trail arrives at an active railroad line. First, turn to the north to reach a crossing point. Next, circle around the two nearby buildings to pick up the IPP on the other side.

Just ahead, the trail crosses beneath the highway and immediately connects with the end of the Illinois Prairie Path - Batavia Spur. From here, the scenery continues to change from industrial, to township, and eventually to a nice section of woodland as the trail travels through Warrenville Grove Forest Preserve.

A few more miles, with easy-to-follow road crossings, bring the trail to its end in Wheaton, where it intersects with the other two main branches: Illinois Prairie Path - Main Stem and Illinois Prairie Path - Elgin Branch.