Illinois · Hiking

Fen View Trail

0.8 mi
loop
861 ft
high point
Loop
route
Easy
difficulty
Apr–Oct
best months

Fen View Trail is an easy, low-elevation loop hike of about 0.77 miles in Sterne's Woods in Illinois, just a short drive from the town of Crystal Lake. The route stays roughly flat, with a high point of 861 feet and a low of 830 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.46 miles, where the grade reaches 12 percent. Bikes are allowed. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Crystal Lake show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 74°F, while January averages a high of 32°F with six snow days. Several other short trails sit within half a mile, including Va Sterne's Woods Trail, Moraine View Trail and Prairie View Trail. Farther out, about 6 miles away, Lyons Loop offers cross-country skiing.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Fen View Trail

    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

      32° / 14°

      9 wet · 6 snow

    2. Feb

      35° / 16°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      47° / 26°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      71° / 48°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 58°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 62°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 61°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 52°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 42°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 30°

      9 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      36° / 20°

      9 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crystal Lake 4nw, IL, 4.3 mi away at 940 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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