Best Hikes in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's hiking ranges from Devil's Lake's quartzite bluffs to the Apostle Islands' lakeside trails to the coulee country of the Driftless Area.

Devil's Lake: East Bluff Trail and Balanced Rock (4 miles)
Wisconsin's finest trail — the East Bluff Trail traverses the quartzite ridge 500 feet above Devil's Lake, passing Balanced Rock (a precariously perched quartzite boulder), the Devil's Doorway (a natural rock arch), and multiple cliff overlooks. The West Bluff Trail (connecting via the north or south shore) extends the loop to 9 miles. Allow 4–5 hours for the full loop; the rock scrambling and the lake views are exceptional.

Apostle Islands: Meyers Beach Sea Cave Trail (3 miles)
On the Lake Superior mainland shoreline west of Cornucopia — the trail leads to the top of the sea cave cliffs above the most dramatic sea caves on the Great Lakes. In winter (when Lake Superior freezes), visitors walk on the ice to the cave interiors — one of Wisconsin's most distinctive seasonal experiences.

Ice Age Trail: Kettle Moraine Section (22+ miles)
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail — 1,200 miles total, traversing Wisconsin's glacial features. The Kettle Moraine State Forest section (southern unit near Eagle) has the most accessible terrain: kettles (glacial depressions), kames (conical hills), and eskers (sinuous ridges). The La Grange segment (3 miles) and the Nordic Trail area give good introductory Ice Age Trail hiking.

Parfrey's Glen (2 miles round trip)
Wisconsin's narrowest and most distinctive glen — the quartzite walls narrow to 10 feet in places; ferns cover every surface. The small waterfall at the head of the glen rewards the short hike.

Cascade Falls Trail (Osceola)
On the Cascade Creek in Polk County — a 90-foot cascade visible from a short trail in the Osceola riverfront area. One of the more accessible significant waterfalls in northern Wisconsin.