50 of the best national scenic trail miles in Wisconsin

Chelsey Lewis | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Fifty years after it was first created to “provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding population,” the National Trails System Act is more important than ever.

More people are getting outside to enjoy our country’s natural landscapes — 330 million visited national parks in 2017, slightly less than the record-setting attendance in 2016. Hiking was the fourth most popular outdoor activity among Americans age 6 and older in 2017, according to the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2018 Outdoor Participation Report. Running, which includes trail running, was the most popular activity.

The Oct. 2, 1968, act that created a national trail system designated various types of national trails, including national scenic trails. The first two trails named as such, the Appalachian and Pacific Crest, are still among the most popular in the country for everyone from day trippers to thru-hikers.

Today there are nearly 60,000 miles of national scenic trails, including 1,400 miles in Wisconsin: the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail and 200 miles of the 4,600-mile North Country Trail.

The Ice Age Trail was officially designated a national scenic trail on Oct. 3, 1980, but it traces its roots to 1958, when Milwaukee's Ray Zillmer founded the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation, today known as the Ice Age Trail Alliance. The IATA, together with 21 local chapters, works to build, maintain and promote the trail.

The North Country Trail also received national designation in 1980 and stretches for 4,600 miles from New York to North Dakota. The trail clips the northwestern tip of Wisconsin, passing through Iron, Ashland, Bayfield and Douglas counties. Three chapters of the North Country Trail Association help build and maintain the trail in the Badger state.

Some of the best national trail segments in Wisconsin pass through state parks and forests, which makes sense — the better to protect unique natural features and keep them open to the public.

Here are 50 of the best miles to explore in the state.

North Country Trail: Copper Falls State Park

Most people visit Copper Falls for two impressive waterfalls: Copper and Brownstone. But that’s not all there is to see on a hike here.

The falls are along the Bad River and a tributary, the Tyler Forks, as they wind through a dramatic gorge of red-black basalt, sandstone and shale rock. The Bad River’s high tannin content adds to the kaleidoscope of colors, giving the river a red hue.

The North Country Trail traverses the length of the park, 4 miles. For a loop hike and the best views of the waterfalls, hike the 1.7-mile Doughboys Nature Trail, which shares a tread with the NCT on the east side of its loop. About half a mile of the trail, including a scenic overlook of the falls, is accessible.

Where: Copper Falls State Park is at 36764 Copper Falls Road, Mellen. Distance: 4 miles. Note: The Doughboys Trail is a nature trail and is not open to pets. Part of the trail is closed in the winter.

RELATED: Waterfalls, gorge, ancient lava flows make Copper Falls one of Wisconsin's most picturesque parks

North Country Trail: Marengo River segment

The North Country Trail segment through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Ashland and Bayfield counties served as inspiration and provided the name for the now 4,600-mile national scenic trail.

The trail through the Marengo River valley is one of the most scenic stretches in the forest, with three overlooks, the ruins of an old Swedish settlement and a backcountry campsite for longer trips.

Starting from a parking area on Forest Road 202, hike east through a state natural area featuring towering sugar maples that put on a spectacular show in the fall. Just over half a mile from the trailhead, a spur leads to the Juniper Overlook, a rocky outcrop that offers expansive views in three directions.

Continue along the trail as it dips down to the Marengo River, then climbs slightly to more spurs leading to the campsite and homestead ruins. From there, the trail passes two more overlooks before reaching Forest Road 383.

Where: Find parking on Forest Road 202 east of Drummond. Distance: 3.7 miles. Note: Some roads in the national forest remain closed after flooding events in 2016 and 2018. See fs.usda.gov/cnnf for updates. The national forest is open to hunting; wear blaze orange or bright colors when hiking during hunting season.

RELATED: North Country Trail offers backpackers rare solitude

North Country Trail: Porcupine Lake Wilderness

The North Country passes through two wilderness areas in Wisconsin. These wild places are closed to all machines, even human-powered ones (bicycles), making them a tranquil spot for a hike.

It’s a relatively easy 4.3-mile hike on the trail through the Porcupine Lake Wilderness in Bayfield County, passing through dense forest, a bog and a beaver pond. The highlight is Porcupine Lake, a remote, undeveloped lake you might have all to yourself. Pack camping gear for a night on the lake, where two unofficial backcountry sites offer the ultimate private, wild experience.

Where: The wilderness area is east of Drummond; find the western trailhead on Forest Road 213 (Porcupine Lake Road) and the eastern trailhead on County Highway D, south of Forest Road 213. Distance: 4.3 miles.

North Country Trail: Pattison State Park

This 2.1-mile segment is small but mighty, passing two waterfalls: the state’s highest, 165-foot Big Manitou, and 31-foot Little Manitou.

From the park office, follow the NCT’s blue blazes as it joins the Beaver Trail and hugs the east side of Interfalls Lake. Cross the Black River and continue following the Little Manitou Falls Trail to its namesake waterfall, a twin cascade that tumbles over black basalt rock.

Where: Pattison State Park is at 6294 Highway 35, Superior. Distance: 2.1 miles. Note: The park was heavily damaged by floods in 2018 and some areas, including the Beaver and Little Manitou Falls trails, remain closed. The waterfalls are still viewable from other areas. Call the park office (715-399-3111) or see dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/pattison for updated conditions.

Ice Age Trail: Devil’s Lake State Park

Devil’s Lake is one of Wisconsin’s most popular state parks, and it’s not hard to see why from the top of its photogenic, 500-foot red quartzite cliffs. Crowds thin in the off season, from the end of fall to late spring, making that a good time to tackle this challenging hike.

Nearly 11 miles of the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail wind through the park. This segment officially begins on Highway 113 and shares a tread with other trails as it loops around the lake, climbing the West and East bluffs and traveling through the Steinke Basin and Roznos Meadow.

For the best views, climb the Balanced Rock Trail through a talus field and up rock stairs to the top of the East Bluff. Look for the trail’s namesake, a top-shaped rock, 100 yards south of the trail about 3/4 of the way up.

At the top of the cliff, soak in views of the lake and surrounding forest on a segment of the East Bluff trail and Devil’s Doorway trails, where you’ll find the park’s most famous rock formation, a collection of large rock slabs arranged like a doorway.

Where: Devil’s Lake is at S5975 Park Road, Baraboo. Access trailheads for the IAT on Highway 113 or park at the south shore to hike the East Bluff. Distance: 10.9 miles. Note: Hike with caution during inclement weather — the quartzite is made even more slick by rain and snow, and there are no guardrails. The hike is challenging, even for fit hikers, with steep climbs and descents.

Ice Age Trail: Dells of the Eau Claire

It's a nice surprise to find a natural gem like the Dells of the Eau Claire in a county rather than state park. The gorgeous, blocky gorge along the Eau Claire River is a scenic hike in any season.

The Ice Age Trail follows the gorge and river for about 2.5 miles, taking hikers past red-gray rhyolite schist, a volcanic rock that rises 40 feet above the river in spots as it tumbles through the blocky obstructions. The trail crosses the river a couple times via footbridges — a safer way to get a closer look than venturing onto the slick rocks.

For a loop hike, start at the dam/bridge near the beach and follow the Ice Age Trail along the river’s north bank to the second bridge. Cross to the south side of the river, then ditch the IAT and follow the South River Trail east back to the dam/bridge.

Where: Dells of the Eau Claire Park is at P2150 County Highway Y, Aniwa. Distance: 1.3 miles (loop) or 2.5 miles on the IAT. Note: If you plan to continue hiking south on the Ice Age Trail after it crosses the river, know the segment up to County Highway Z is on private land and is closed during gun deer hunting season. The park is not open to hunting and is open for hiking year-round.

RELATED: Dells of the Eau Claire is a gorgeous county park near Wausau

Ice Age Trail: Gibraltar Rock

South of Lake Wisconsin, the Ice Age Trail climbs over Gibraltar Rock, a 200-foot sandstone butte that offers some of the best views in southern Wisconsin.

From a parking lot on Gibraltar Rock Road, follow the trail through fragrant red cedars, white pine, hickory and oak up the butte. Near the top, the trail splits. Continue following the yellow blazes for views from the top of the flat-topped butte. The white-blazed trail travels around the backside of the formation, and the two reconnect at the other end to descend the butte and continue to County Highway V.

Where: Find the trailhead off Gibraltar Rock Road south of County Highway V, northwest of Lodi. Distance: 1.7 miles.

RELATED: Gibraltar Rock offers some of the best views in southern Wisconsin

Ice Age Trail: Scuppernong segment

This trail segment in the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit passes through a trail system that features three loops ranging from 2.3 to 4.9 miles. The terrain along this segment is particularly hilly as it travels through pine plantations and hardwoods.

For a loop hike, follow a short spur from the Scuppernong parking area on County ZZ to connect with the Ice Age Trail. Hike east then north and cross the joint orange and green trails. Cross the orange trail again, then follow the green loop south (turn left) back to the trailhead for about a 4-mile hike.

To hike the entire 5.6-mile segment, start on Highway 67 and hike north to County Highway C. Arrange a shuttle or retrace your steps for an 11.2-mile hike.

Where: Find the Scuppernong trail system on County ZZ (Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive) east of Highway 67, north of Eagle. Distance: 5.6 miles. Note: The Scuppernong trails are no longer groomed for skiing in the winter but are still open to skiers as well as hikers and snowshoers.

RELATED: Scuppernong Trails are great for a winter hike or snowshoe

Ice Age Trail: Parnell segment

This long, wooded segment of the trail through the Kettle Moraine State Forest’s northern unit traverses the classic glacial topography that defines the trail, plus offers great views from an observation tower. It was also here that Zillmer first sought to create a national park to protect the glacial landscape and forest.

Start at the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area and hike north through dense hardwood forest and past small kettle lakes to Butler Lake, nestled between two eskers. Follow the Parnell Esker, a four-mile-long formation, northeast and then continue along hummocky terrain. If the leaves are down, look west for an impressive collection of kames, cone-shaped hills that pop up on the otherwise flat horizon.

After crossing Highway U, follow the Parnell Tower loop east to the 60-foot observation tower that provides 360-degree views of the forest. Hike back to the IAT, then finish the final jaunt north to Highway 67.

Where: Mauthe Lake Recreation Area is at N1490 County Road GGG, Campbellsport. Distance: 13.9 miles. Note: Tornadoes in August 2018 caused severe damage along parts of this segment, and the trail between County Road V and Scenic Drive remains closed. See iceagetrail.org/condition-category/trail-conditions for updated conditions.

RELATED: Hiking the hummocky Parnell segment of the Ice Age Trail

Ice Age Trail: Interstate State Park

A plaque in Interstate State Park marks the western terminus of the Ice Age Trail, near an overlook of the Dalles of the St. Croix, a dramatic gorge along the St. Croix River.

Find the plaque along the Pothole Trail, a short hike that offers the best views of the gorge and the trail’s namesake — smooth, deep holes in the rock. Continue following the Ice Age Trail along the Horizon Rock Trail as it climbs a wooded bluff to the Ice Age Interpretive Center, which includes exhibits on the history of Wisconsin and its glaciers.

Where: Interstate State Park is at 1275 Highway 35, St. Croix Falls. Distance: .9 miles.

RELATED: Interstate, Wisconsin's oldest state park, is still one of its best

Ice Age Trail: Timm’s Hill

In quiet Price County, a little hill holds a big title. East of Ogema, Timm’s Hill stands tall as Wisconsin’s highest point at 1,951.5 feet. The area is protected in a county park and includes a trail that is an official side trail of the Ice Age Trail, connecting with it 10 miles south of the park.

For a short hike, walk from the parking lot about a 1/4 mile to an observation tower on top of the hill. Climb the tower for views of the forest and lakes below.

For a longer hike, pick up the Timm’s Hill Trail south of the park on County RR as it continues south to meet up with the official Ice Age Trail on Highway C.

Where: Timm’s Hill County Park is at W3206 County Road RR, Ogema. Distance: .3 miles. Note: The park gate is open May through October, but you can still hike or snowshoe in the offseason. From September through December, 2.5 miles of the trail in Taylor County are closed. See timmshilltrail.com for more.

RELATED: Wisconsin's highest point - Timm's Hill - is a quiet escape away from everything

Video: Hiking around Wisconsin's highest point Miles of hiking trails wind around Timm's Hill, the state's highest point at 1,951.5 feet.