River to River Trail
~12 days · 159.5 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the River to River Trail is known for
Across the Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois for 160 miles, from Elizabethtown on the Ohio River to Devil's Backbone Park on the Mississippi at Grand Tower, via Garden of the Gods, Lusk Creek, Ferne Clyffe and Giant City.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,129 ft to 2,766 ft over 159.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 34.8 mi · 22%
- Downhill 35.1 mi · 22%
- Flat 89.4 mi · 56%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the River to River Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the River to River Trail scores 46/100, 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 River to River Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the River to River Trail in about 12 days (11 nights out) over its 159.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the River to River Trail?
The River to River Trail climbs roughly 12,654 ft total — about 79 ft per mile, topping out near 879 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.