If you’re a cross-country skier in Wisconsin, winters with little snow will be disappointing.
For pedestrians, however, the lack of snow means that trails reserved for skiers are open to pedestrians.
Trails that double as hiking/skiing trails are some of my favorites because they tick almost all the boxes for a solid day hike: single-use, natural (not paved or gravel), challenging topography, varied scenery, and loops.
The last element is crucial. Although long, one-way trails such as Ice Age AND Country of the North great for backpacking and solo adventures, loop trails mean you don’t have to park your car or get back on the trail and pass the same scenery.
Add to that the fact that loop systems offer a variety of distances to suit all abilities and time constraints, and it’s a recipe for a great day on the trails.
Kettle Moraine is a great place for skiing and hiking – it boasts four – and since many of them don’t allow biking, you won’t be competing with enthusiasts of the faster-paced outdoors. (I appreciate this as both a cyclist and a hiker.)
Here are five ski trails that are great for hiking when they’re not covered in snow.
Blue Hills TrailsRussian district
This gem of a system has grown to include over 20 miles of trails in a classic Northwoods landscape: hemlocks, pines, balsams, and a few hardwoods in a hilly landscape interspersed with compact streams and beaver ponds. Add to that unstable cell service and you’re in for a real day in the woods.
The wide trails are divided into two loops: eastern and western. Maps are available in the parking lot on the eastern side and are indispensable because the trails loop and intersect at a dizzying amount.
Since they are best known as cross-country ski trails, you can have them all to yourself on a spring or summer hike. Autumn colors add beauty, but also to hunters.
The eastern loops are heavily forested, while the western loops provide several broad views of the surrounding forest. The hills rise 150 meters above the surrounding landscape and are the remnants of an age-old mountain range. Although they are not what they used to be, it is still a challenging hike.
Because the system is so gigantic, in the summer the grass on the trails can grow high between mowings. Wear long pants and bug spray, and check for ticks when you’re done.
More information: Dogs are allowed on all trails when there is no snow, but must be on a leash. Please note that trails are also open to mountain bikers, but they often lead to drier, western loops. Trail fees are $10. See bluehillstrail.com.
Find it: The Blue Hills Trail system is located on Fire Lane Road near County O, approximately 16 miles northwest of Bruce. It is located north of Christie Mountain Ski Resort.
Escanaba TrailAmerican Legion North Highland State Forest
Vilas County has more lakes than any other county in Wisconsin, with more than 1,300 lakes covering 1,018 square miles. Water here flows into Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and the Mississippi. The river with the same state name also has its headwaters here.
So in a county where water is the star, it’s pretty challenging to take a step without bumping into it.
This trail system near Boulder Junction offers a full dose of Vilas County water, with four trail loops circling five lakes in the Lost Canoe State Natural Area.
Loops range from 2.5 to 8.5 miles in length and wind around lakes in hilly, forested terrain. Look for the old-growth hemlock forest on the southeastern end of Lake Escanaba, accessed by the red and blue trails.
More information: Pets are allowed when there is no snow on the ground.
Find it: The trailhead is located southeast of Boulder Junction on Nebish Road, approximately 5.5 miles east of County Highway M.
Nordic TrailsKettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
With seven loops ranging in length from just over half a mile to over 15 miles, Nordic Trails are perfect for everything from a quick after-work hike to a longer weekend trip.
Because the system was created with skiers in mind, the trails are well marked and quite uncomplicated to navigate. Along the way, benches provide places to rest and admire the views.
The 5.6 km long green loop offers an enjoyable hike through the system’s diverse landscapes – hardwood stands, pine plantations and swaths of prairie. You can also choose the challenging 15.2 km blue loop for a half-day hike.
More information: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash; state park admission stickers are required.
Find it: The trailhead is south of Palmyra on County Highway H (Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive).
Scuppernong TrailsKettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
With towering pine plantations, the Scuppernong Trails resemble a little slice of the Northwoods in southern Wisconsin.
Choose from three loops of 2.3, 4.1 and almost 5 miles. A section of the Ice Age Trail also runs through the system, and a low branch of the trail on the northwest side leads to a scenic overlook overlooking Lake Ottawa to the north.
More information: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash; state park admission stickers are required.
Find it: The Scuppernong Trails are located on the County ZZ (Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive), east of Highway 67, approximately seven miles south of Dousman.
Zillmer TrailsKettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit
Named for Milwaukee lawyer Ray Zillmer – the man who helped set aside the 56,000-acre Kettle Moraine State Forest for conservation and recreation purposes – the system includes four loops ranging in length from just over 1 mile to almost 3.5 miles.
Like their Nordic counterpart in the southern part, the trails here are wide and well-maintained. They can be reached from two trailheads: choose the southern one for a choice of loops.
Trails wind and climb through a mix of hardwoods and pine plantations, with places to rest and enjoy views of the Kettle Moraine area.
At the northern end of the system, a low spur leads to the Ice Age Visitor Center, where you can learn more about the topography of the glacier you are hiking on.
More information: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash; state park admission stickers are required.
Find it: The southern trailhead for Zillmer Trails is located in SS County west of G County, approximately 8 miles north of Kewaskum.
TRAIL TIPS
▪ If there is snow on these trails, stay away. Some ski systems allow hiking or snowshoeing, but these are often on separate trails. If allowed on the same trails, avoid walking on groomed areas.
▪ It’s a good idea to carry a map with you when hiking, and even more so when navigating ski trails that often twist, loop, and intersect.
▪ It’s muddy season — er, spring in Wisconsin, so wear waterproof boots or ancient boots and be prepared to get a little sullied.
