Hitting the trails in Wisconsin is a great way to relax and reflect. And if you like to wander while you ponder, you’re in luck. Wisconsin is full of amazing hiking trails that are even more amazing in the winter. Take a look at the best hikes in Wisconsin:
- Lapham Peak State Park (W329 N846, County Rd C, Delafield, WI 53018)
Sandor Weisz/Flickr Though located just 25 miles from Milwaukee, Lapham Peak’s location within the Kettle Moraine State Forest will make you feel as if you’re a world away. In addition to a number of hiking trails and an observation tower, the park features snowshoe trails and a lighted ski trail for nighttime adventures. Park Office, Delafield, WI 53018, USA
- Mawikwe Bay (90500 Meyers Rd, Cornucopia, WI 54827)
Pudiimom/TripAdvisor The sea caves on Mawikwe Bay attract outdoor adventurers year-round. But there’s no doubt that wintertime is the best time to visit, and that’s because you can hike across the frozen surface of Lake Superior straight to the ice-covered cliffs. The National Park Service monitors weather conditions to ensure the lake is frozen enough for hikers, so make sure to call (715) 779-3397 (extension 3) before you visit. Squaw Bay, Mawikwe Bay, Wisconsin, USA
- Amnicon Falls State Park (4279 County Rd U, South Range, WI 54874)
Luke Towne/Google Local With less than two miles of hiking trails, Amnicon Falls State Park is the perfect place for a short and sweet wintry walk. Plus, the park’s many rapids and waterfalls look undeniably stunning during the colder months. Amnicon Falls State Park, 4279 County Rd U, South Range, WI 54874, USA
- The Ridges Sanctuary (8166 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202)
The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc./Facebook The Ridges Sanctuary features a variety of trails that are open year-round for self-guided hikes and naturalist-guided hikes. On select days in January and February, the sanctuary offers guided snowshoe hikes, which are the perfect way to experience the seasonal beauty of the area. The Ridges Sanctuary, 8166 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202, USA
- Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Bayside, WI 53217)
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center/Facebook With 185 acres and six miles of trails, there’s plenty to explore at this nature center. In addition to winter wildlife, hikers are treated to lovely seasonal vistas, including Lake Michigan ice formations. What’s more, the nature center offers day hikes as well as full-moon hikes. Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, 1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Bayside, WI 53217, USA
- Indian Lake County Park (8183 WI-19, Cross Plains, WI 53528)
John Adamowski/Google This 482-acre park is a popular spot for snowshoeing, sledding, skiing, and, thanks to miles of trails, hiking. In addition to plenty of seasonal vistas, you can follow a trail straight to a historic chapel from 1857. And just to make sure visitors don’t get too cold, the park also includes a log cabin warming house. Indian Lake County Park, 8183 WI-19, Cross Plains, WI 53528, USA
- Harrison Hills Segment (Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Gleason, WI 54435)
Stacey Thiel/AllTrails At Harrison Hills, hikers can trek a portion of the Ice Age Trail – but not just any portion. This portion includes the Ice Age Trail’s tallest point, Lookout Mountain. There’s also a fire tower, which offers incredible views of the winter landscape below. For those looking for a shorter trek, consider utilizing the trailhead parking lot along County Highway B, which is just two miles from the tower. Ice Age Trail - Harrison Hills Segment, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Gleason, WI 54435, USA
So, ever taken any of these cool and calming trails in Wisconsin? Know of another great cold-weather hike to add to our list of the best hikes in Wisconsin? Tell us in the comments section.
Sandor Weisz/Flickr
Though located just 25 miles from Milwaukee, Lapham Peak’s location within the Kettle Moraine State Forest will make you feel as if you’re a world away. In addition to a number of hiking trails and an observation tower, the park features snowshoe trails and a lighted ski trail for nighttime adventures.
Park Office, Delafield, WI 53018, USA
Pudiimom/TripAdvisor
The sea caves on Mawikwe Bay attract outdoor adventurers year-round. But there’s no doubt that wintertime is the best time to visit, and that’s because you can hike across the frozen surface of Lake Superior straight to the ice-covered cliffs. The National Park Service monitors weather conditions to ensure the lake is frozen enough for hikers, so make sure to call (715) 779-3397 (extension 3) before you visit.
Squaw Bay, Mawikwe Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Luke Towne/Google Local
With less than two miles of hiking trails, Amnicon Falls State Park is the perfect place for a short and sweet wintry walk. Plus, the park’s many rapids and waterfalls look undeniably stunning during the colder months.
Amnicon Falls State Park, 4279 County Rd U, South Range, WI 54874, USA
The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc./Facebook
The Ridges Sanctuary features a variety of trails that are open year-round for self-guided hikes and naturalist-guided hikes. On select days in January and February, the sanctuary offers guided snowshoe hikes, which are the perfect way to experience the seasonal beauty of the area.
The Ridges Sanctuary, 8166 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202, USA
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center/Facebook
With 185 acres and six miles of trails, there’s plenty to explore at this nature center. In addition to winter wildlife, hikers are treated to lovely seasonal vistas, including Lake Michigan ice formations. What’s more, the nature center offers day hikes as well as full-moon hikes.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, 1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Bayside, WI 53217, USA
John Adamowski/Google
This 482-acre park is a popular spot for snowshoeing, sledding, skiing, and, thanks to miles of trails, hiking. In addition to plenty of seasonal vistas, you can follow a trail straight to a historic chapel from 1857. And just to make sure visitors don’t get too cold, the park also includes a log cabin warming house.
Indian Lake County Park, 8183 WI-19, Cross Plains, WI 53528, USA
Stacey Thiel/AllTrails
At Harrison Hills, hikers can trek a portion of the Ice Age Trail – but not just any portion. This portion includes the Ice Age Trail’s tallest point, Lookout Mountain. There’s also a fire tower, which offers incredible views of the winter landscape below. For those looking for a shorter trek, consider utilizing the trailhead parking lot along County Highway B, which is just two miles from the tower.
Ice Age Trail - Harrison Hills Segment, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Gleason, WI 54435, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Wisconsin March 16, 2022 SKS What are the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin? Wisconsin is full of nature and some incredible hikes. However, not all hikes are made equally, and some are much more scenic than others. If you are looking for some of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin, look no further as we have information on the most scenic nature and urban hikes in the state! Devil’s Lake- Devil’s Lake is a hike in Devil’s Lake State Park that brings you up to the top of the bluffs overlooking Devil’s Lake. At over 500 feet tall, these bluffs give you quite the view of the lake and the surrounding forest. To get to the top of the bluffs, you will hike a portion of the Ice Age Trail, which has many different segments throughout the park. Timm’s Hill-If the bluffs over Devil’s Lake aren’t high enough for you, head on over to Timm’s Hill, the highest point in the state of Wisconsin. At nearly 2,000 feet above see level (1,951 feet above sea level to be exact) this 10 mile trail up to the top of Timm’s Hill will bring you to the 45 foot tower located on top of the hill, which will give you an even better view of the scenic Wisconsin forest far beneath you. Hank Aaron State Trail- If you are more into cities than nature, the Hank Aaron State Trail is a great urban hike that will give you scenic views of the city lakefront and art instead of scenic views of forests. This trail runs through Milwaukee, and is 12 miles of paths and streets that will bring you to the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Harley-Davidson Museum, the MLB Stadium where the Milwaukee Brewers play baseball, and lots of other iconic sites!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Wisconsin
March 16, 2022
SKS
What are the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin? Wisconsin is full of nature and some incredible hikes. However, not all hikes are made equally, and some are much more scenic than others. If you are looking for some of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin, look no further as we have information on the most scenic nature and urban hikes in the state! Devil’s Lake- Devil’s Lake is a hike in Devil’s Lake State Park that brings you up to the top of the bluffs overlooking Devil’s Lake. At over 500 feet tall, these bluffs give you quite the view of the lake and the surrounding forest. To get to the top of the bluffs, you will hike a portion of the Ice Age Trail, which has many different segments throughout the park. Timm’s Hill-If the bluffs over Devil’s Lake aren’t high enough for you, head on over to Timm’s Hill, the highest point in the state of Wisconsin. At nearly 2,000 feet above see level (1,951 feet above sea level to be exact) this 10 mile trail up to the top of Timm’s Hill will bring you to the 45 foot tower located on top of the hill, which will give you an even better view of the scenic Wisconsin forest far beneath you. Hank Aaron State Trail- If you are more into cities than nature, the Hank Aaron State Trail is a great urban hike that will give you scenic views of the city lakefront and art instead of scenic views of forests. This trail runs through Milwaukee, and is 12 miles of paths and streets that will bring you to the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Harley-Davidson Museum, the MLB Stadium where the Milwaukee Brewers play baseball, and lots of other iconic sites!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Wisconsin is full of nature and some incredible hikes. However, not all hikes are made equally, and some are much more scenic than others. If you are looking for some of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin, look no further as we have information on the most scenic nature and urban hikes in the state!
Devil’s Lake- Devil’s Lake is a hike in Devil’s Lake State Park that brings you up to the top of the bluffs overlooking Devil’s Lake. At over 500 feet tall, these bluffs give you quite the view of the lake and the surrounding forest. To get to the top of the bluffs, you will hike a portion of the Ice Age Trail, which has many different segments throughout the park.
Timm’s Hill-If the bluffs over Devil’s Lake aren’t high enough for you, head on over to Timm’s Hill, the highest point in the state of Wisconsin. At nearly 2,000 feet above see level (1,951 feet above sea level to be exact) this 10 mile trail up to the top of Timm’s Hill will bring you to the 45 foot tower located on top of the hill, which will give you an even better view of the scenic Wisconsin forest far beneath you.
Hank Aaron State Trail- If you are more into cities than nature, the Hank Aaron State Trail is a great urban hike that will give you scenic views of the city lakefront and art instead of scenic views of forests. This trail runs through Milwaukee, and is 12 miles of paths and streets that will bring you to the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Harley-Davidson Museum, the MLB Stadium where the Milwaukee Brewers play baseball, and lots of other iconic sites!
