The Little Known Hiking Path in Wisconsin Is Our Favorite First Hike of the Year

The Ice Age in Wisconsin is a fascinating topic to read about. Imagine, if you will, massive sheets of ice up to a mile thick in places. Around 10,000 years ago, these glaciated sheets began to retreat, and they shaped the landscape with forces so great that their mark is still visible to this very day. Today, we're going to take a virtual visit to one of the most striking post-glacial landscapes in Wisconsin. Here, you'll find deep kettles, high-relief hummocks, and other fascinating natural structures along a 14-mile stretch of trail that simply doesn't get enough visitors. Lace up your hiking boots, because Mother Nature is calling!

Gleason, Wisconsin, is a small community off Highway 17 that you could easily overlook. With around 2,000 residents, this Lincoln County community is petite, but it does have a few claims to fame. Namely, it's the record-holding Trout Fishing Capital of the World, but it's also home to the first Estonian church built in the United States. This northeastern community was also once covered by the Laurentide Ice Sheet, and it left its mark on the community.

The best way to experience how it shaped the land is along the 14-mile Harrison Hills segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Along this scenic path, fascinating structures await visitors. Although Lookout Mountain, the highest point on the Ice Age Trail and the second-highest point in Wisconsin, is arguably the most magnificent feature at 1,920 feet above sea level, I'm partial to kettle lakes.

Kettle lakes are fascinating structures formed when a chunk of ice breaks off a glacier and becomes buried in sediment. As the climate continued to warm, these chunks melted, leaving behind a depression. The march of time eventually causes them to fill with water, and typically, they're shallow. Along this Wisconsin trail, however, deep kettles are common.

There are various glacial lakes and ponds along the path, and many of them host a healthy beaver population. They're common sights at dusk, so keep your eyes peeled for them. Beavers are territorial, so if you notice any aggressive behaviors, it's best to leave the area. After all, you're essentially wandering into their living room!

Some of the lakes, like the stunning 5-acre Chain Lake, are coveted fishing spots. Catfish and walleye are frequent catches in Chain Lake, so consider bringing your fishing gear if you don't mind carrying it across rugged terrain.

Truthfully, this is a rugged hike. High-relief topography left behind by retreating glaciers has created a hilly, wild landscape that isn't always easy to traverse. The trail narrows at points, and the challenging topography, combined with thriving black bear and wolf populations in the Harrison Hills, means you should absolutely employ the buddy system for this trek.

Keep your eyes peeled for trail signage, too, as logging roads and ATV paths intersect the hike at various points. All in all, the 14-mile stretch takes some five hours to complete, so the casual nature lover likely won't traverse the whole thing in one go. Plan a few trips to get to know the local landscape, and budget some time to sit and appreciate local nature. As this spot is remote, you'll love the abundance of birdsong, the scurry of native mammals across fallen leaves, and the occasional side-eye of a cautious deer.

I can't get enough of Ice Age topography, and here in Wisconsin, there's no shortage of it! While many features are now hidden by development and human activity, the gorgeous Ice Age Trail in Harrison Hills remains decently untouched and stunning.

The Ice Age Trail stretches across the entirety of Wisconsin. Want to explore other stretches of the trail beyond Harrison Hills? Check out our Ice Age Trail guide to find other segments that are bucket list-worthy. When you're ready to map out your next Badger State adventure, be sure to check out Only In Your State’s itinerary planner for additional inspiration.