Ice Age Trail: Kettle Moraine Northern Unit/Mauthe Lake to Butler Lake

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

If you are a runner in Wisconsin, this is one of those trails that is a must-do. The trail offers a lot of fun variety for those seeking more than a flat and easy trail. There are nice flat sections, in forest and along prairies, but there are also many sections with steeper (albeit short) climbs/descents, technical sections with rocks and roots, and other areas with gentle climbs and fun, gentle descents.

The overall scenery/ambience is refreshing to the soul. This is Kettle Moraine, so it has a number of picturesque kettles (small lakes nestled in bumpy terrain features known as moraines, which are just debris left over from the glaciers of the last ice age). The forests are a mixture of temperate coniferous and deciduous trees with some plantations of pines that are nothing short of stunning.

Plenty of colorful fall foliage is present for those lucky enough to visit in late September/October. It is a very peaceful place perhaps deceptively hidden in a region of the state more known for its agriculture, brats, and cheese. What a great refuge for those seeking time in nature any time of year, and such a great place for runs of varying distances.