Illinois · Hiking

Constitution Trail Southtown Branch

1.7 mi
round trip
968 ft
climb
891 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Constitution Trail Southtown Branch is an easy, out-and-back hike in southern Illinois, about 2.2 miles from the community of Bloomington Heights. The route is 3.5 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 54 feet, and it reaches a high point of 891 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.74 miles in, where the grade reaches 4 percent. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bloomington show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 76°F, with July the warmest month at about 84°F. The Route 66 Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Constitution Trail Interurban Branch is about 2.3 miles off. East Lincoln Street and the Constitution Trail Illinois Central Branch are both within about 2.7 miles.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Constitution Trail Southtown Branch

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / 16°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / 19°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 29°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 39°

      11 wet

    5. May

      72° / 50°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 60°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 63°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 61°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 54°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 42°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 30°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 21°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bloomington 5w, IL, 4.1 mi away at 852 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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