The Quartz Hill Trail In Wisconsin Is A Big Secluded Treasure

Some of the best hiking trails in Wisconsin can be found in northern Wisconsin and in Oconto County, there’s a little hike that’s simply spectacular. The Quartz Hill Trail will take you to one of Wisconsin’s best forest views. While it’s a little remote, you might be able to enjoy a view all by yourself on the top of a quartzite hill. Here’s what’s waiting for you on the Quartz Hill Trail.

The trail is located on the far northern end of Oconto County, right off Highway 32 in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It’s about 80 miles north of Green Bay.

When you arrive at the trail, you’ll park across the street in the parking area for another stretch of the trail that leads to a different spot - the site of a former fire tower. That trail is also a nice hike, but there’s a better view from the trail segment we're visiting today.

The Quartz Hill Trail can be hard to spot from the road. Follow the worn path into the trees and the trail will become more distinct. Early in the hike, you’ll cross a couple of small but scenic boardwalks.

Continuing on, the trail will become steep. While it's is less than a mile in length, it’s not the easiest hike.

Watch your footing - the trail gets very rocky and even steeper, especially as you near the summit.

The view from the top is incredible – you can see for miles. The summit is a quartzite hill, and near the top, you’ll pass an exposed quartz deposit. Long ago, Indigenous Peoples mined quartz here for tools.

Enjoy the hike at Quartz Hill, but the digging and collection of crystals is prohibited – only take photos. Learn more on the Forest Service website. Oconto County has some truly amazing hiking spots – another wonderful trail will take you into old growth forest.