The Epic 7-Mile Trail in Wisconsin That’s Worth the Sweat

Sometimes what you need is a long, freeing hike—something a little more intense than just your standard mile-long loop or brisk half-hour stroll. Sometimes what you need is a long break from the monotony of digital life, and a significant hike can do that for you. I’ve found it to be one of the best ways to decompress after a stressful week at work or just as a way to disconnect from our internet-based world. If this sounds like the thing that you need, here’s a great 7-mile trail in Wisconsin that’s a perfect getaway.

The Holy Hill Segment of The Ice Age Trail is a 6.7-mile hike that takes around 3 hours to complete. It’s a relatively easy hike with minimal elevation change, so if you’re looking for a place to do some deep thinking or just to feel attuned to nature, this is a great choice. 

A little bit of background: the Ice Age Trail, as a whole, is a 1,200-mile footpath that will take a little more than an afternoon to get through. I’d only recommend hiking the whole length if you really need to decompress. For those of us looking for something a little more manageable, the trail has been handily broken up into small day hikes as well, one portion of which is the Holy Hill section. The Ice Age Trail highlights the remnants left behind by glaciers during the last ice age, more than 12,000 years ago. It has been designated as a National Scenic Trail, of which there are only 11, and provides great examples of glacial formations such as kettles, moraines, and drumlins. 

The Holy Hill segment takes you through a small portion of this, allowing you to see beautiful forested areas. It’s also not a largely used trail, so there is a great chance that you’ll get the place all to yourself. Make sure to pack some bug spray, though, if you aren’t prepared for it, the bugs can be a little abrasive. One of the hike's most notable elements is the Kame, which in geography is a sand mound deposited by a large melting glacier. While getting to the top of it might be a challenge, this overlook view will make it all worth it.

A particularly notable view is that of the famous Holy Hill Basilica, which can be seen peeking over the tree tops in certain parts of the trail. This architectural beauty was built in 1926 in the Neo-Romanesque style and is a sight to behold. The trail never passes directly alongside the building, but from afar, it is really something to marvel at.

With boardwalks, flowers, and overlooks, the Holy Hill Segment of the Ice Age Trail is the perfect getaway from modern life. If you’re looking for an escape, this is one hike that I can’t recommend enough. If you plan to do any hiking, download the AllTrails app on your phone so that you can have easy access to maps, trail information, and curated lists on the best hikes in your area.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own Wisconsin hiking trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.