Tired of crowded Labor Day destinations? Had enough of expensive accommodations and traffic snarls? Then pack your bags, load up the car and head to Wisconsin, where you’ll find five of the best kept secrets in cheesehead land: beautiful, well groomed hiking trails that are free of charge and free of mobs of tourists.
1)The Ice Age Trail was carved into the Wisconsin landscape 10,000 years ago by the retreating glacial ice. Meandering throughout the entire state, the Ice Age Trail is accessible from almost anywhere in Wisconsin. The heaving and colliding of the glacial ice created serene landscapes and a rugged beauty. The trails are groomed and perfect for a day of hiking with the family, and best of all, it’s not crowded with four-wheelers and campers. When you go, be sure to stop in one of the small, historical towns that dot the length of the trail.
2) Timm’s Hill National Trail is the highest point in Wisconsin. Tucked away in Price County and wandering through parts of Taylor County, Timm’s Hill is hard to find, and harder to leave. The trails are open year-round for horse-back riding, hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing. Like the Ice Age Trail, Timm’s Hill is never crowded, and on weekdays, the parking lot is almost always empty. While the trails are numerous and well groomed, the highlight of Timm’s Hill is the 70-foot-high fire tower that visitors can climb to get a better look at miles of Wisconsin scenery.
3) Wood Lake is located in Taylor County, home to several old logging camps. The trails meander through spring-fed lakes and marshes, and into the heart of a historical logging camp, long abandoned. A sense of calm and seclusion permeate the entire area. It’s definitely out of the way, and off the beaten path, but the serene waters and gently rolling hills are welcoming to even the most harried of visitors.
4) The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest offers over 800 miles of groomed hiking trails perfect for a day-long outing or a backpacking adventure. Winding through an old-growth coniferous forest and historical settlements, the possibilities for adventure change with each fork in the trail. The trails are open year-round and once you get away from the campgrounds, you will be surrounded by the natural beauty of tall trees and rolling vistas, not mobs of tourists.
5) The Pine Line Rail Trail is a relic of the logging age. Located in Taylor and Price County, this well-maintained trail is the perfect choice for a day of hiking and relaxation. It’s rarely used, but always accessible and offers visitors a chance to learn about the logging communities that spurred Wisconsin’s development. When the logging industry left Wisconsin, so did the railroad. Today, the Pine Line Rail Trail carries hikers, not logs, from Prentice to Medford. It’s a fun trek, and an interesting glimpse into the past.
Don’t spend Labor Day battling crowds and traffic. Instead, take a hike into the past…for free.
