Illinois River Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Alex Wolfe on Unsplash

Illinois River Trail

~3 days · 28 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance28 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain9,114 ft
Gain / mile326 ft
High point3,878 ft
Difficulty index38/100

What the Illinois River Trail is known for

A 27-mile point-to-point National Recreation Trail through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness country of southwest Oregon, running between Briggs Creek and Oak Flat near Agness above the Wild and Scenic Illinois River canyon. Rugged and hot in summer; typically 2-3 days.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Illinois River Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 948 ft to 12,680 ft over 28 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 14.4 mi · 52%
  • Downhill 12.3 mi · 44%
  • Flat 1.0 mi · 4%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Illinois River Trail?

38 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Illinois River Trail scores 38/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Illinois River Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the Illinois River Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 28 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Illinois River Trail?

The Illinois River Trail climbs roughly 9,114 ft total — about 326 ft per mile, topping out near 3,878 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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