Swallow Cliff Stairs
Swallow Cliff Stairs things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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I've been coming here regularly for about 10 years and love it! I do push ups and core work at the top of every flight to get a whole body workout. I hike the trails at the top and bottom regularly as well. Please respect the local ecology and be mindful of the post-Covid crowd's erosion on delicate habitats and stick to the main limestone trails, so that we can all enjoy the area for generations to come. Please keep in mind to stay to the right side of the stair set you're on, and if you're with a friend, please keep very close together so that people coming up or down the stairs can pass you without running into each other. Please do not spread yourselves out the width of the stairs as that is rude, irritating to others, and dangerous for everyone. Please teach your kids proper stairs etiquette as well. Some kids are light years more informed than adults and it shows. Please consider the danger of wrapping your baby up and swaddling them close to you chest or back or having your little ones on your shoulders--it takes just one misstep for a possible catastrophe that I don't want to witness or have your child experience. Lastly, posted rules say no dogs on the stairs. Personally I love dogs and want to see them everywhere all the time, please just be mindful of the very close quarters we are on while on the stairs and some people may have fear of dogs, and it might not be safe for the doggo to be around so many people running past it with just an inch or two between them. It is astonishing how so many are not aware of etiquette and that it's not posted anywhere. Just want my fellow humans and animals to be safe and for us to create a fun, dynamic environment that everyone can enjoy!
Ginger RubinsteinGinger Rubinstein
00
I'm no runner or fitness buff, in fact i'm old, over weight and have too many injuries to list, but i still like a challenge. My personal best climbing stairs was 802 @ Matthiessen State Park last year (along with 4.5 miles). I read about Swallow Cliff earlier this year, thought if there was a good weather day, i'd check it out. Well, that day came (6/19/17) so i drove the 25 miles to get there and try my luck. There were more people there than i would have thought for a Monday, even so i didn't have any problems with anyone there. Just walking, no racing for me, really didn't mind being lapped by so many, maybe cause so many were so very nice & supportive. Up one set of stairs, down the other will give you 293 Stairs. The original set on the left is 125 stairs, the new set on the right has several landings giving it 168 stairs. I wanted 2 "Laps", but hoped for 3....I did 4. But then decided to do a half lap up the longer side (168 stairs) and like a fool, i went to the top and back down with a day total of 1,508 Stairs. Today is the 20th & I hurt; getting out of a chair hurts, going up and down stairs in house hurt, but I'm damn glad i did 5 trips up and down. I will be back and will try and break 2,000 stairs. Forgot to update....7/14/17 i had returned, did 2,106 stairs. My knee has gotten worse, don't know if 2018 will see me back to Swallow Cliffs, but i can only hope
Sidney FreedmanSidney Freedman
00
This is a great place to exercise! This location used to be their old toboggan slides until Stroger Jr. shuttered all the Cook County toboggan slides. When you approach this place you can see the magnificence of it. There are stairs on either side so the group of people usually go up one side and down the other side. When you get to the top there is a big area to walk around and regain your breath. I didn't count the stairs, but the stairs are huge and they seem to go on forever. The nice thing about the stairs in that they are not entirely uniform. One step could be 8 inches high and the next step could be a foot high. If you are scared of heights or scared that you might fall, you want to stay to the far right as there is a railing that you can grab onto if necessary. It's enough stairs that most people will definitely be huffing and puffing when they get to the top. My wife and I went up and down 5 times on our first trip to the Swallow Cliff stairs. You will see people carrying things up the stairs to increase their workout intensity. One guy was carrying an 80 pound boxing punching bag on his shoulders as he went up and down the stairs. He must have been in phenomenal shape as that feat would be extremely difficult. I highly recommend the swallow cliff stair for its beauty and to burn calories for a nice workout.
Rick SpencerRick Spencer
30
Amazing cardio with a bunch of stairs and a trail. Bathrooms and cafe Swallow Cliff Stairs in Illinois is a fantastic destination for both fitness enthusiasts and those who enjoy a scenic walk. The atmosphere here is invigorating, surrounded by nature, making it an excellent spot for outdoor cardio. The iconic stairs are challenging but rewarding, offering a great workout for anyone looking to get their heart pumping. In addition to the stairs, the surrounding trails are perfect for a leisurely walk or a more intense hike. The paths wind through beautiful woodlands, providing a peaceful setting that makes your exercise feel more like a retreat into nature. The area is well-maintained, and the sense of community among visitors adds to the positive experience. Whether you’re climbing the stairs for a fitness challenge or enjoying a walk along the trails, Swallow Cliff offers a refreshing escape with the added benefit of a great workout in a stunning natural environment.
Orhan OzbudakOrhan Ozbudak
00
This is probably one of the best sledding hills in the Chicago area. I haven't been to many, but since I discovered Swallow Cliff, I didn't feel the need to explore. Both sides of the hill are lined with stairs, while I prefer the one on the right for the more even height of the steps, the one on the left closest to the pavilion is often the only one open. The hill is steep enough to get some good speed on your run, yet not that high that you end up exhausted on the top after the climb. Kids usually do well on this hill as well, and the safety features usually prevent injuries. They do a good job maintaining the place. On the weekends they even have a wood fire burning in the pavilion for visitors to warm up in. They are open even at night, and have flood lights turned on.
Christian WietholtChristian Wietholt
00
If you’re looking for a great place to get your cardio and steps in, THIS IS THE SPOT. I visited for the 1st time on a Sunday late morning and I was happy to see plenty of FREE parking. It was very busy on this day, lots of people climbing the stairs. I noticed a large area of grass around the stairs, great for picnics, relaxing, getting some soccer practice on or just to enjoy the nice weather. There are also picnic tables. The stairs are in the form of a loop 🔁 so it makes it easy to go up and down multiple times. There are also several trails surrounding the area. Over all, a great place of outdoor activities.
Ruth RetizRuth Retiz
00
Nearby Attractions Of Swallow Cliff Stairs
Swallow Cliff Woods-South
John's Bartending Services
Swallow Cliff Woods-South
4.8
(250)Click for details
John's Bartending Services
5.0
(13)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Sag Valley Trail, Palos Park, IL 60464
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Phone
(800) 870-3666
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Website
fpdcc.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.8
(1.4K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
adventure
family friendly
Description
Swallow Cliff Woods is an 800-acre nature preserve located near Palos Park, Illinois, in the Palos Forest Preserves. It was built in 1930 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and operated by the Cook County Forest Preserve District. One of the highlights is a 100 foot bluff with 125 limestone stairs of varying heights.
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