Illinois Mountain is located in Highland, NY near the Mid-Hudson Bridge, and is visible far and wide due to the large radio tower on the top. Trails are accessible from Berean Park, where there is a parking lot and small beach. There are five single-track MTB-trails: red, white, blue, yellow, and green, some of which are connected only via the gated access road that goes up to the towers (not all of the road is open to the public). The land is owned by the Town of Lloyd and Scenic Hudson, and maintained by volunteers from the Fats in the Cats mountain bike club and community members. Trails are very technical for bikes, but only moderately so on foot—lots of sharp turns, rocks and roots, and short, if occasionally steep climbs. There are a few scenic overlooks and plenty of vernal pools and other interesting habitat (watch out for the efts). Trails are uncrowded and runners are likely to see nobody else most days, except for some people fishing at the reservoirs that the access road passes by.
The FKT route starts from the sign kiosk next to the green snack bar building adjacent to the parking lot. One may do the trails in any order or direction, but must do all of them in their entirety and finish at the starting point. The shortest possible route is about 10 miles.
Note that these trails are sometimes (unexpectedly) given minor reroutes by their caretakers, and the gps map might not be totally accurate given updates.
Check this site for details and map of the routes. The access road can be used to link up the trails and return to the parking.
