Stagecoach Trail

The road

The old stage road between Galena and Warren, running the ridges of the unglaciated corner of Illinois. More open than the Wisconsin coulees just north of it — long views across farmland rather than a tunnel of trees — and usually empty.

Worth knowing

• Ridge-top views across the driftless country into Wisconsin
• Galena's preserved 19th-century main street at the western end
• Genuinely low traffic, even on weekends

Before you go

• Farm equipment and gravel side-road entries throughout.
• Galena itself gets busy with visitors and parking is tight.
• Little in the way of services between the two ends.

Best season

May to October