6 Wisconsin trails with amazing views
To experience the full beauty of nature, you can’t beat a hike in the woods. Wisconsin is a land of trails—there are endless places to explore the state’s Upper Midwestern scenery. Some trails rise above the others. They are easy to reach, accessible to all ages and best of all, they offer unforgettable vistas.
If you’ve hiked these trails before, you’ve taken in the views and you know how special these trails are. If you’ve never visited these paths, put on your boots and see what you’re missing.
Fallison Lake Nature Trail, Boulder Junction
The Fallison Lake Nature Trail is located in the the Northern Highland-American Legion (NHAL) State Forest, just off County Highway N south of Boulder Junction in Vilas County. It’s the longest nature trail in the state forest (there are longer hikes in the forest that that are not on nature trails), but it offers outstanding views of Fallison Lake and the surrounding landscape, which includes bogs, a hemlock glade, and a mixed forest of white pine, red pine, sugar maple, white birch, and more. Keep your eyes peeled for eagles, osprey, and loons on Fallison Lake.
Bearskin State Trail, Minocqua
Head to Minocqua near the Oneida County/Vilas County border to find one of the most popular (and scenic) trails in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The Bearskin State Trail follows a former railroad bed for more than 20 miles between Minocqua and Tomahawk, and the level, gravel surface is a top destination for bikers, walkers, and hikers. The views are incredible—take in the views as you pass over nearly a dozen railroad trestles along the route.
Mariners Trail, Manitowoc
This paved recreational trail covers 6 miles between Manitowoc and Two Rivers on the eastern side of the state and offers the longest continuous scenic view of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. The Mariners Trail is open to hikers, bikers, and walkers, and trail users will pass scenic overlooks, beaches, and more than 30 flower gardens along the way. Once you reach Two Rivers, follow the signs downtown for about a mile to meet up with the Rawley Point Recreation Trail, which connects Two Rivers with Point Beach State Forest.
Ice Age Trail – Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Area, West Bend
West Bend has some fantastic hiking in and around the city. This is land sculpted by glaciers, so you’ll find a landscape marked by various glacial features like drumlins and moraines. The 1,000-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail passes through West Bend via the Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Trail. While some people take months to hike the whole trail, you can enjoy a great taste of the path in this recreation area. Enjoy beautiful vistas of the woodland valley while dreaming of a through-hike.
Blue Hills Trail System, Ladysmith
For miles more of glacial terrain—and another beautiful stretch of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail—head to Rusk County in Northwestern Wisconsin. The 23-mile Blue Hills Trail System, located just west of Ladysmith, will take you through the remnants of a mountain range that’s older than the Rockies. To enjoy the best views here, take a morning hike. You’ll see why this area got its name; the hills take on a beautiful blueish hue early in the day.
Van Vliet Hemlocks, Presque Isle
Vilas County has more than 240,000 acres of public forest so there’s no shortage of places to take a hike. In fact, the county boasts more than 60 trails that are open for hiking. For a picturesque hike through the towering remnants of an old growth forest, head to the Van Vliet Hemlocks near Presque Isle in northwestern Vilas County. This 400-acre parcel includes more than 3 miles of hiking trails, and the views of Averill Lake and Van Vliet Lake are simply beautiful.
