16 Hikes During the Nine-Day Gun Deer Season

The nine-day gun deer hunting season (November 20 – 28) spans the Thanksgiving holiday, a time when friends and family gather. It’s natural to want to introduce your loved ones to the Ice Age Trail, yet safe hiking options are limited. Keeping this in mind, we have 16 hikes to share with you where deer hunting is not allowed. Most of these options take place in or near Ice Age Trail Communities and are a perfect blend of natural surroundings and urban amenities.

St. Croix Falls Segment (9 miles)

This hike highlights several outstanding features including the Dalles of St. Croix River, glacial potholes, and excellent views of the city of St. Croix Falls from the Hospital Esker.

See details of the St. Croix Falls Segment [Polk County] and the St. Croix Falls Trail Community Itinerary.

City of Lodi Segment (1.8 miles)

This hike starts, or ends, at the 150-foot-long footbridge spanning a ravine between Lodi’s middle and high schools. Based on a 16^th century Chinese Rainbow Bridge, this structure is sure to amaze. The Trail through the City is a mix of dirt path and paved sidewalk. Enjoy the quaint downtown of this proud Trail Community along the way.

See details of the City of Lodi Segment [Southern Columbia County] and the Lodi Trail Community Itinerary.

Valley View Segment (1.8 miles)

Situated on the terminal moraine, this segment features some of the finest examples of prairie and oak savannah restoration. If Black Friday is a clear day, hikers will be able to see Blue Mounds to the west.

See details of the Valley View Segment [Dane County] and the Verona Trail Community Itinerary.

Verona Segment (4.9 miles excluding Prairie Moraine Park)

With about 200 acres of restored native prairie, the Verona Segment features open views of the surrounding landscape. There are numerous kiosks explaining the Ice Age Trail and Upper Sugar River Valley.

Trail Alert: Beginning November 2020, the IAT will be closed from the Military Ridge State Trail by the Little League Complex to Whalen Rd. due to a sewer reconstruction project. A detour will be in effect through Spring 2022.

See details of the Verona Segment [Dane County] and the Verona Trail Community Itinerary.

Cross Plains Segment (2.8 miles)

Located along Black Earth Creek in a valley between tall bluffs, this segment represents the boundary between the Driftless Area to the south and west and glaciated lands to the east. This hike can make for a nice loop through prairie, oak savannah and the Village of Cross Plains. For those of you who might be tempted to combine this hike with a tour of the Table Bluff Segment, please know that segment is closed for hunting.

See details of the Cross Plains Segment [Dane County] and the Cross Plains Trail Community Itinerary.

Janesville Segment (10.4 miles)

The southern gateway to the Ice Age Trail, and one of the largest communities found on the route. Along the way, hikers may enjoy numerous parks and educational opportunities. A portion of the hike will take you along the Rock River where lovely views of the river have been opened up during restoration work by the Rock County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance and partnering Boy Scout troops.

See details of the Janesville Segment [Rock County] and the Janesville Trail Community Itinerary.

Devil’s Staircase Segment (1.7 miles)

Connecting with the Janesville Segment, Devil’s Staircase features one of the more unique hikes in the state. For a good portion of this stretch, hikers parallel the Rock River and may witness the impressive work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

See details of the Devil’s Staircase Segment [Rock County] and the Janesville Trail Community Itinerary.

Lapham Peak Segment (7.6 miles)

This segment of the Ice Age Trail connects to Delafield and makes for a longer Black Friday hike. Spanning 1,000 acres, Lapham Peak has numerous hiking paths to follow. Hunting is prohibited in Lapham Peak, however, wearing blaze orange is a good idea this time of year.

See details of the Lapham Peak Segment [Waukesha County] and the Delafield Trail Community Itinerary.

Delafield Segment (2.8 miles)

Located just a skip away from Hartland, hikers through the City of Delafield may pay tribute to Wisconsin soldiers at the Cushing Memorial Park and Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Riverwalk.

See details of the Delafield Segment [Waukesha County] and the Delafield Trail Community Itinerary.

Hartland Segment (6.8 miles)

This stretch follows the Bark River through downtown Hartland before heading south into the Hartland Marsh. Enjoy the perks of extensive restoration efforts in the Marsh before heading downtown for a bite to eat.  Several establishments in this proud Trail Community have the Ice Age Trail logo on display.  Be sure to let them know you’ve been out for a hike, it helps businesses appreciate the economic impact Trail enthusiasts have on their local economy.

See details of the Hartland Segment [Waukesha County] and the Hartland Trail Community Itinerary.

Slinger Segment (1.5 miles)

This segment handily connects two adjacent segments (see the hike along the Pike Lake Segment noted above) and highlights the village of Slinger, once an important trading center for Native Americans.

See details of the Slinger Segment [Washington County] and the Slinger Trail Community Itinerary.

West Bend Segment (6.7 miles)

This urban hike strolls through impressive green-spaces at the edge of West Bend. Tromp across boardwalk spanning a water-filled kettle/wetland. Follow the Trail as it meanders alongside picturesque Silver Creek and hugs the ridge of a moraine, dipping between hills on its way to CTH-D.

Please note, Trail Alert: between Paradise Drive and Wheat Ridge Lane, the Trail will be closed for logging. See suggested reroute.

See details of the West Bend Segment [Washington County] and the West Bend Trail Community Itinerary.

City of Manitowoc Segment (7.3 miles)

This urban segment highlights the City of Manitowoc and its rich maritime history and includes a lengthy stretch along the shores of Lake Michigan.

See details of the City of Manitowoc Segment [Manitowoc County] and the Manitowoc-Two Rivers Trail Community Itinerary.

City of Two Rivers Segment (2.8 miles)

This segment travels through the charming community of Two Rivers including the buildings comprising the historic Rogers Street Fishing Village.

See details of the City of Two Rivers Segment [Manitowoc County] and the Manitowoc-Two Rivers Trail Community Itinerary.

Walla Hi Segment (2.3 miles)

The Walla Hi Segment highlights the Walla Hi County Park (closed to hunting), which showcases a variety of glacial features including kettles, moraines, and erratics.

See details of the Walla Hi Segment [Manitowoc County]. 

Sturgeon Bay Segment (13.7 miles)

This segment offers hikers three widely varying experiences beginning with a rail-trail hike, a transition to an urban hike through a city with a rich cultural history, and then finishes with a quiet, forested trek through the Potawatomi State Park. Please know, hunting is allowed in Potawatomi.

See details of the Sturgeon Bay Segment [Door County] and the Sturgeon Bay Trail Community Itinerary.