Hiking trails are plentiful throughout Wisconsin, and these 14 paths not only provide exercise but beauty too! They allow for individual experience levels and great exploring.
From Easy to Difficult - 14 Great Hikes To Better Explore Wisconsin
Easy Hikes
Here are three easy limestone or asphalt trails that are nearly flat and pretty wide – perfect for strollers or wheelchairs, young children and older adults.
Hiawatha – Bearskin State Trail | Wisconsin State Parks – Minocqua
The Hiawatha-Bearskin Trail is 33 miles long, and you are sure to see lovely landscapes on all parts of the trail. As you cross over Lake Minocqua along a charming wooden bridge, this trail features lakes, streams and springs and towering trees with a hard-packed, mostly solid surface and level with long, flat, direct stretches. There are restrooms and plenty of parking at the trailhead too.
Sentinel Trail | Peninsula State Park – Fish Creek
An easy two-mile loop provides views of maple, beech and pine trees, and you will move past an 85-year-old pine plantation. Be sure to wander to the top of this park for spectacular panoramas of Green Bay. Take time to explore Fish Creek for some of the best shopping, food and outdoor activities to be found at Door County.
Green Tree Loop | Schlitz Audubon Nature Center – Milwaukee
You will find almost six miles of asphalt paved trails the make their way around the Nature Center with meadows, lakeshore and woods as the backdrop. Each loop is relatively flat, and hiking here is fantastic. There is even an overlook tower for birds-eye views.
Easy to Moderate Hikes
These trails are nearly level, but strollers or wheelchairs may have difficulty with sporadic roots and rocks creating uneven surfaces.
Bay View Trail | Big Bay State Park – La Pointe
This beautiful 1.3-mile loop trail follows the shoreline along the north side of Big Bay Pointe on Madeline Island. On one side, you’ll see the great waters of Lake Superior’s; on the other, the sun spotted dense woods that line the shoreline.
Monches Segment | Ice Age National Scenic Trail – Hartland
North of Hartland, located in a hardwood forest, this part of the Ice Age Trail gives some of the most magnificent wooded hiking in the state. The 2.7-mile out and back hike follows the Oconomowoc River and includes pleasant views of clear water and small babbling brooks.
Sand Cave Trail & Little Sand Cave Loop | Wyalusing State Park – Bagley
This beautiful out and back hike traverses the valleys and ledges of Wyalusing State Park is suitable for all skill levels. You will hike past Big Sand Cave and Little Sand Cave and washed-out limestone areas with small waterfalls. Black Thunder Point, positioned between the two caves, gives a striking look at the Wisconsin River.
Moderate Hikes
These hikes are a little more challenging, with stretches that include slopes and narrow paths blended in with more manageable flat sections.
Timms Hill Green Trail | Price County Park – Ogema
At 1,951 feet above sea level, this 0.4-mile out and back trail is the Wisconsin Highpoint. Find several easy to moderate hiking paths, plus a wooden tower, which showcases the breathtaking views below.
Old Settlers Trail | Wildcat Mountain State Park – Ontario
The 2.5-mile loop hike covers a 390-foot elevation variance and provides scenic overlooks of Vernon County’s valleys below. Start your journey from either the nature building or the northern end of the upper picnic area. By starting at the nature building, you have access to a short 0.4-mile walk to the Taylor Hollow Overlook, which is Wildcat’s best view of the vistas below. The drive alone to Wildcat Mountain provides breathtaking panoramas as you weave up, down and around hairpin curves.
Burkhardt Trail | Willow River State Park – Hudson
Burkhardt Trail is a 3.5 mile out and back hike but could be longer depending on the direction you take. The trail begins along the Willow River, but a series of paths wind up the cliff to a lovely overlook of the river and falls below. A staircase is available to bring you down to Willow Falls for more exploring.
Moderate to Difficult Hikes
The following hiking trails are relatively short and, as viewed on a map, appear inaccurately simple. Still, after starting the long, steep climb, you may question how it feels so exceptionally long.
East Bluff Trail | Devil’s Lake State Park – Baraboo
East Bluff and East Bluff Woods Trail Loop are a 2.6 extremely popular mile loop. You can expect large stone steps and an elevation increase of 500 feet as you climb to the top. There are plenty of places to stop and catch your breath, but the inspiring views of the Lake below are well worth the climb. Once above the tree line, you will also be able to see Elephant Rock.
Yellow Trail | Rib Mountain State Park – Wausau
For spectacular panoramic views of Marathon County, be sure to hike the Rib Mountain Yellow trail. This 3.8-mile loop hike is rated moderate and is the most demanding in the park – expect some deep breathing. The path is wide and covered with woodchips and perfect for snowshoeing in the winter.
Logging Camp Trail | Pattison State Park – Superior
The Logging Camp Trail is an excellent 4.7-mile loop-trail system for hiking and backpack camping. You will explore the hardwood forest along the Black River, and three hike-in campsites are available near Little Manitou Falls. The Pattison State Park offers the tallest waterfalls in Wisconsin and the fourth highest east of the Rocky Mountains.
Difficult Hikes
The following hikes fluctuate in distance and terrain and are intended for hikers who are comfortable with sheer inclines and precarious trails.
Perrot Ridge Trail | Perrot State Park – Trempealeau
Starting at the Mounds parking lot, the Perrot Ridge Trail is a 3.3-mile loop trail that takes you wandering through the flatter prairie to climbing stairs and then hiking a tight path along the crest. Beautiful views of the river and surrounding outstretched landscape, this trail offers some nice altitude increases and declines, providing just the right amount of physical workout.
St. Peter’s Dome | Morgan Falls – Marengo
There are two great hiking trails located at Morgan Falls. One is an easy 0.6-mile path that takes you to the 70-foot-high Morgan Falls—reconstructed in 2002; it is accessible for everyone.
Hope you found this information helpful and that it made you want to explore. Being outside, in any capacity, does so much good for your mind, body and spirit.
Happy Wandering!
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Kirsti Out Wandering aspires to illustrate well-being in mind, body & spirit, giving unconditional love to self and others, and pursuing all of the wild possibilities life serves up while living full-time from a sprinter van.
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