Morton Arboretum Loop

This is a wonderful hike on easy-to-access paths that wind through lush trees and fantastic scenery. The auto and bike paths are separate from the hiking path, so there is very little traffic. The paths are clean, and the park offers comfortable benches along the path for hikers to take a seat for rest or pause to enjoy the scenery. From the visitor center, start out on Meadow Lake Trail to connect to the Main Trail Loop 1. Once on the Main Trail Loop 1 you'll hike past areas designated for rare plants, honeysuckle, viburnums and magnolia. Continuing on the Main Trail Loop 2, you'll hike through groves of mature buckeyes, oaks, lindens, maples and beeches. In the fall, this section of the hike is gorgeous. The Main Trail Loop 3 and Main Trail Loop 4 make up the eastern half of the hike looping around the East Woods.The trail eventually loops back along the Main Trail Loop 1, highlighted by forests of non-native tree species from Korea, China and Japan. Be sure to stop by the visitor center post-hike to learn more about the history of the arboretum.