Chicago Transit Hikes

A Guide to Getting Out in Nature without a Car, Second Edition

Author: Lindsay Welbers

Taking the train to nature in Chicagoland

Paper – $18.95

978-0-252-08891-9

eBook – $14.95

978-0-252-04681-0

Publication Date

Paperback: 09/09/2025

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About the Book

Taking the train to nature in Chicagoland

Beyond the steel and asphalt of the city await natural spaces that are easy to access and balm for the soul. Lindsay Welbers’s guide tells readers how to use Chicagoland’s extensive public rail system to reach forests, prairies, wetlands, dunes, and Lake Michigan. Designed to take up minimal space in a back pack, Chicago Transit Hikes provides train-to-trailhead information for thirty nature treks with features that include:

* Chapters with hikes organized by each rail line on Metra, the South Shore Line, and the CTA
* Information on everything from accessibility to dog-friendliness to flora and fauna
* Detailed descriptions of every destination
* Practical tips on packing lists and itineraries

Up-to-date and user-friendly, Chicago Transit Hikes connects Chicagoans and visitors alike with excursions for every season and level of difficulty.

About the Author

Lindsay Welbers is a journalist and sustainable transportation advocate. She runs the blog Third Coast Hikes at https://thirdcoasthikes.com.

Reviews

“This guide is an invaluable resource to anyone in the Chicagoland area who loves to get out in nature and explore our wonderful trail system, all while utilizing one of our best and little utilized resources: our public transportation system. Lindsay Welbers writes with humor, joy, and a deep love of our undervalued Midwestern landscape. Whether you're a runner, cyclist, hiker, or prefer another mode of transportation, this book will point you to your next perfect outing.”
—Allison Yates, founder of Read & Run Chicago