Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

The main paved trails start at the large parking lot just off of Parker Road. A couple of large pavilions, restrooms, and a playground are located at the beginning of the paved trails. Once on the trail, it winds through shady forested sections and open prairie grasslands. There are some small elevation gains throughout the preserve which can be a pleasant change to a normally flat local landscape. There will then be a turn-off for the Outer Loop Trail that will take you on unpaved paths around the western perimeter of the nature preserve.Once you make the turn eastward, you'll then take the Old Road Trail to the south where you link back with the Tower Trail. There you'll hang a right and have an opportunity to enjoy some scenic views from the Observation Tower. The trail then winds back around to reconnect with the Arbor Hills Loop where you'll turn to the north. Follow that trail all the way back to the parking lot as you wander across a couple of creeks, via footbridges, and find your way back to the parking lot.Unpaved pedestrian-only trails are dispersed throughout the preserve with most starting points located off the main paved trail. The trails that occupy the northwestern section of the preserve provide the best chance for solitude as they are pressed along the northern border, farther away from the, at times, crowds of stroller-pushers and dog walkers that occupy the paved trails. Overall, the the unpaved paths of Arbor Hills give you limitless options for hiking, trail running or just general exploring.The paved trails in their entirety cover roughly three miles with the unpaved trails covering about 3.5 miles, respectively.