The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of the eleven national scenic trails in the United States of America. Located in Wisconsin and stretching about 1,930 kilometers, this route lets you experience the raw power of nature. The Ice Age Trail gets its name thanks to the massive glacial flow that shaped much of this landscape over 12,000 years ago.
After the glaciers receded, they left behind a breathtaking terrain of forests, prairies, and thousands of glacial lakes and rivers unique to this region.
Every year, more than a million people hike in these landscapes, mostly on foot, although completing the full route requires some transportation.
The trail can be walked in either direction, but if you wish to head towards the lake, you start at St. Croix Falls, Polk County and arrive in Sturgeon Bay, Door County.
Given its landscape deeply shaped by the ice age, Wisconsin offers one of the most geologically fascinating and scenic trails in the world. The glacial remnants along the trail are considered among the best examples of how continental glaciation has sculpted our planet.
Points of Interest:
- Ice Age National Scientific Reserve: Part of the U.S. National Park System, this reserve includes nine sites in Wisconsin preserving important geological evidence from the ancient glaciation.
- Kettlebowl Ski Area: A small ski area run by volunteers from the Langlade County Ski Club.
- Driftless Area: This Midwest region is best known for its dramatic, deeply carved river valleys.
- Cave of the Mounds: Wisconsin’s most beautiful cave and a prime example of the area’s geological heritage.
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest: Located in northern Wisconsin, this forest covers 1,530,647 hectares. Some trees were planted in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
- Devil’s Lake State Park: The largest state park in Wisconsin, found just south of Baraboo in eastern Sauk County.
Practical Information:
- Country: United States, Wisconsin
- Official website for the Ice Age Trail
- Trail length in km: 1930
- GPX: yes
- KMZ: N/A
