4sta Hike
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4sta Hike
The 4sta Hike is an annual looped trail event held at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve near Andalusia, Illinois along the Mississippi River. The 2026 edition is the ninth running of the event and registration opens June 13, 2026.
The course is a repeatable 1-mile loop that participants may complete as many times as they choose within a 4 hour time limit. Organizers describe two course variants: an Easy line with 230 feet of gain and 230 feet of loss per loop, and a Hard line with 304 feet of gain and 304 feet of loss per loop. Organizers prefer the Hard line and plan to use it if conditions allow; the final course may be adjusted about a week before the event depending on rainfall.
Trail surfaces include smooth single track, rock, roots and downed trees, with steep gradients observed up to 48 percent and generally rolling terrain. Wildlife commonly seen in the preserve includes deer, turkeys, coyotes and snakes. A small aid station will be available at the start/finish area. The layout supports bringing chairs or pop-up tents so participants can rest and resupply between loops; the aid location can be reached roughly every 10 to 30 minutes depending on pace.
A functional award will be presented to the male and female who complete the most loops within the time limit. After minimal expenses, event proceeds are returned to the forest preserve; over eight years more than $7,400 has been contributed back to Loud Thunder. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
