Hiking the Ice Age Trail
Gibraltar Rock takes you up a 200-foot hike to panoramic views of the Wisconsin River Valley and Lake Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has some amazing hiking trails. One of my absolute favorite trails is the one that spans the entire state - Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail - and it’s full of history and wonder.
Winter hiking along the Ice Age Trail.
Earning the designation as the country’s 10th National Scenic Trail in 1980, the Ice Age Trail winds through about 1,200 miles of Wisconsin’s glacier moraine landscape carved during the last ice age over 10,0o0 years ago. The path showcases kettles, potholes, eskers, kames, drumlins, and glacial erratics formed during this time. The western terminus is located in Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, WI and the eastern terminus is in Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay, WI. The trail passes through 30 of Wisconsin's 72 counties, covering more than 600 miles of yellow-blazed segments and over 500 miles of unmarked connecting routes linking hikers through several of the Ice Age Communities.
Tower Trail at the Sturgeon Bay Segment of the Ice Age Trail.
Each segment throughout the state is unique, showcasing Wisconsin’s awesome natural history and amazing views. There are plenty of “Wow look at that!” scenes. And, don’t forget the “Was that a mosquito or a pterodactyl?”, the “Muddy or the “Here we go, uphill both ways!” moments, too. Hiking makes you earn those views and experiences, and there’s plenty of adventures to be had along the trail. Get out there and explore some Wisconsin beauty.
Eastern Terminus marker of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
It’s always a good idea to check the map for trail closures before heading out. The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a volunteer- and member-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve, create, maintain, and promote the Trail. The Alliance publishes a guidebook, and also offers an interactive trail map that is extremely useful for mapping out your hike and checking trail closures and conditions. Happy hiking!
