Forest Preserve's Annual Woods Walk Challenge Starts Sept. 1

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County will host its annual Woods Walk challenge, starting Sept. 1. The challenge, which features 10 hiking trails, runs through Nov. 30.

“Hikers can just pick a path and head out,” said Jenna Wright, the Forest Preserve’s supervisor of permitting and recreation. "Participants who complete at least 7 of 10 mapped trails receive a commemorative medallion."

This is the 21st Woods Walk challenge and it's just getting better with age, Wright added.

"We have people who have collected all 20 previous medallions and are excited to get their 21st," she said. "This year’s medallion features an adorable bumblebee."

The trails are evenly distributed throughout the county and offer a variety of scenery, Wright explained.

This year's trails are as follows:

• Centennial Trail, Romeoville: 5.99 miles
• DuPage River Trail at Hammel Woods – Route 59 Access, Shorewood: 3.41 miles
• Hickory Creek Bikeway at Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek Junction, Frankfort Township: 2.39 miles
• Hidden Oaks Nature Trail/DuPage River Trail at Hidden Oaks Preserve, Bolingbrook: 2.77 miles
• Monee Reservoir Nature Trail at Monee Reservoir, Monee Township: 2.23 miles
• Scout Trail/Oak Ridge Trail at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, Crete Township: 1.04 miles
• Spring Creek Greenway Trail at Hadley Valley – Gougar Road Access, Joliet: 2.55 miles
• Spring Creek Greenway Trail at Messenger Marsh, Homer Glen: 1.9 miles
• Trail of the Old Oaks at McKinley Woods – Frederick’s Grove, Channahon: 1.53 miles
• Wauponsee Glacial Trail at Forked Creek Preserve – Ballou Road Access, Wilmington: 4.5 miles

"One of the most unique trails is a rustic natural terrain path that travels by the newly acquired Trail at the ever-so-popular Whalon Lake preserve."

New this year is the opportunity for participants to log their walks on the free Goosechase app. Download the free app to your smartphone and search for the Will County Woods Walk challenge.

The trails won't appear in the app until the challenge begins on Sept. 1, the preserve said. You can also still pick up a printed booklet after Sept. 1, at one of the Forest Preserve’s five visitor centers: Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township and Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. The deadline to submit a completed travel log to receive a medallion is Sunday, Dec. 31.