34 Ranch Trail
- 2.4 mi
- round trip
- 474 ft
- climb
- 656 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
34 Ranch Trail is an easy out-and-back hike in Shawnee National Forest's Hidden Springs Ranger District in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 2.4 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 474 feet, and it starts at roughly 635 feet, rising to a high point of 656 feet before returning to the starting level. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.85 miles in, with a 10% grade. The trail is on natural surface and is open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The nearest town is likely within the district, and the trail sits close to several other routes, including Grand Trail, which starts just 0.1 mile away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare show May highs around 75°F and October highs near 69°F, with July and August peaking around 86°F. Nearby, the Grand Trail and Chambers hikes are within a mile, and the One Horse Gap climbing area is about 3 miles away. Pharoah Campground -Garden Of The Gods is roughly 4 miles off.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Grand Trail
Next door
3.25-mile out-and-back hike in Illinois with 432 ft gain.
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Chambers
~1 min drive
1.74-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 231 ft gain.
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Hart Creek
~2 min drive
5.14-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 395 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)R-R Garden of the Gods Loop
~7 min drive
8.86-mile out-and-back out-and-back in Illinois with 851 ft gain.
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Indian Pt Gog
~7 min drive
Quick 0.40-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois.
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Indian Pt Gog
~7 min drive
3.36-mile loop trail in Illinois with 345 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
North Gap Trail
~3 min drive
1.88-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 26 ft gain and 356 ft loss.
Photo: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)Lower Trail
~7 min drive
1.48-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 196 ft gain.
HIKE
Bill Hill
~3 min drive
3.35-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 637 ft gain.
HIKE
Harts Hollow
~3 min drive
5.43-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 572 ft gain.