When you’re in Wisconsin, you’re never far from the hike of a lifetime. The Ice Age Trail is a designated National Scenic Trail that winds and weaves its way through a huge swath of Wisconsin. It will take you to some of the state’s best natural beauty, including glacial lakes, lush forests, and open prairie. It’s an epic hike that covers an incredible distance and endlessly rolling terrain. But it’s truly a hike like no other — even if you choose to experience just a few steps. Here’s what’s waiting for you on Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail.
The idea for the trail was the brainchild of conservationist Ray Zillmer. He died in 1959, before the trail was a reality -- but the seed was planted, and in 1980 the trail was established by an official Act of Congress.
The trail is not a quick or easy hike. It covers about 1,200 miles and passes through 30 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. The eastern trailhead is located in Door County at Potawatomi State Park. It winds up and down through the state, ending at Interstate Park near St. Croix Falls.
The trail traces the terminal moraine of the last Ice Age – that’s where the glacier ended in Wisconsin 10,000 years ago, and you’ll see evidence of the glacier everywhere.
These glacial features make the trail as challenging as it is beautiful. Hikers pass near -- or over -- features like kettles, potholes, eskers, and glacial erratics. If you don’t remember these terms from geology class, just think hilly and rocky.
The trail includes some sections on roads but it also crosses numerous local, state, and national parks and natural areas, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Special markers and yellow blazes help hikers stay on track.
The Ice Age Trail is beautiful in all seasons – when it’s covered in snow, some people snowshoe segments of the trail. It includes some tranquil and remote sections and hikers are treated to some incredible vistas.
The trail is primarily a hiking trail, although other uses are permitted on some sections that follow other existing routes. About 2.3 million people use the trail annually. The vast majority are day hikers, enjoying a small segment of the trail, although some backpackers take on the whole route.
Learn more about the Ice Age Trail, an epic hike in Wisconsin, from the Ice Age trail Alliance. For more scenic Wisconsin hikes, check out this list that includes awesome hikes for each month of the year.
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