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Swallow Cliff

5 ★★★★★ 11 Google reviews · Running trail in Palos Hills, Illinois · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Swallow Cliff yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Swallow Cliff — running trail in Palos Hills, IL, photo 1
Swallow Cliff — running trail in Palos Hills, IL, photo 2
Swallow Cliff — running trail in Palos Hills, IL, photo 3
Swallow Cliff — running trail in Palos Hills, IL, photo 4
Swallow Cliff — running trail in Palos Hills, IL, photo 5

What runners say about Swallow Cliff

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (11 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Beautiful place! There's the stair loop which looks like a great way to do some cardio/stair master outside. We visited in the fall and went up, then did part of the yellow trail (approx 4 miles) which was nice. Easy trail that brought us back to the bottom of the stairs.

★★★★★ — J , Nov 2025

Awesome trails. I hiked the yellow trail + Swallow Cliff stairs and it was 9 miles in length. The trail was in perfect condition and easy to navigate, thanks to the clear trail markers. This is one of the best hiking areas in the Chicagoland area.

★★★★★ — Jeremy , Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 11 reviews →

Plan your run at Swallow Cliff

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Where to find Swallow Cliff

Palos Hills, Illinois

Get directions

Running trails near Palos Hills

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Swallow Cliff Woods-North

4.8 ★★★★★ 518 reviews

Palos Park, IL

Scenic

Public park providing a restroom and picnic tables, plus trails for hiking, walking, and biking.

under a mile away

Swallow Cliff Stairs

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,181 reviews

Palos Park, IL

Scenic

2 flights of stairs with almost 300 steps in total, forming a loop & popular for cardio workouts.

under a mile away

Teason's Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 178 reviews

Palos Hills, IL

3 miLoopPavedScenic

Family-friendly park with picnic tables, forested trails, and a public restroom.

under a mile away

Forty Acres Woods

4.8 ★★★★★ 90 reviews

Palos Park, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve featuring trails for hikers and runners, as well as picnic areas and horseback-riding paths.

under a mile away

McClaughry Springs Woods

4.9 ★★★★★ 150 reviews

Palos Park, IL

5 miCrushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Nature trail system featuring a ravine and small creek amid hills and woods with picnic tables and birding opportunities.

under a mile away

Palos Park Woods-North

4.7 ★★★★★ 340 reviews

Palos Park, IL

Crushed gravelScenic

Large forested area offering many multiuse trails, picnic space, boating, fishing & wildlife views.

under a mile away

All running trails in Palos Hills, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.