L’Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of the eleven national trails of the United States of America. Located in the state of Wisconsin and stretching about 1930 kilometers, this route will let you feel the true power of nature. In fact, the Ice Age Trail is so called because much of the path was carved by a huge glacial flow more than 12,000 years ago.
When the ice retreated, a unique landscape made up of forests, prairies, and thousands of glacial lakes and rivers began to reform behind it.
Every year, more than one million people hike in these areas, which offer routes mostly passable on foot, although to complete the main one you need to use transportation.
It is possible to travel the route in both directions, but if you want to head towards the sea, the departure is from St. Croix Fall, Polk County, and you arrive at Sturgeon Bay, Door County.
Wisconsin, given the morphology of the territory deeply influenced by glaciation, offers one of the most geologically striking and interesting trails in the world; in fact, the glacial remnants along the path are considered one of the best examples of how continental glaciation shapes our planet.
Points of Interest:
- Ice Age National Scientific Reserve: the area is included in the United States National Park system and comprises nine sites in Wisconsin that preserve geological evidence of the ancient glaciation.
- Kettlebowl Ski Area: small ski resort managed by volunteers of the Langlade County Ski Club.
- Driftless Area: Midwest area known especially for its deeply incised river valleys.
- Cave of the Mounds: the most beautiful cave in Wisconsin. The geological site is a beautiful example of the area’s natural heritage.
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest: located in northern Wisconsin, the forest covers 1,530,647 acres of land. Today some trees growing there were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1930.
- Devil’s Lake State Park: a state park located in the eastern part of Sauk County, just south of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Devil’s Lake State Park is the largest park in Wisconsin.
Information Sheet:
- Country: United States, Wisconsin
- Official website of the Ice Age Trail
- Trail length in km: 1930
- GPX: yes
- KMZ: n.d.
