Ice Age Trail ~ Hunting Season
The Ice Age Trail organization recently posted a list of 24 segments that are safe to explore during Wisconsin’s hunting season, and I realized I have explored quite a few of them! So I thought I’d share more about them here, and even share the videos I made in case you want to “preview” the hike/run. From their list, I have explored 16 segments. The St Croix Falls Segment, the Walla Hi Segment and the West Bend segment are already featured in my “Top 5 favorite IAT segments” list that you can find right here.
Out of the 13 segments left, here are my top 6, in no particular order:
Portage Segment
Devil’s Staircase Segment
Arbor Ridge Segment
Janesville Segment
Valley View Segment
Lapham Peak Segment
The canal of the Portage Canal segment.
Portage Segment (3.6 miles)
I hiked the Portage Segment in late Spring 2020. I had previously avoided it because it is short, but Covid made me rethink the value or even short segments. I have written a piece about this for the Hello Stranger’s travel blog, which you can find here, if you’re curious.
Portage is located in central Wisconsin, and the Portage segment is a really good mix of town and trail. Although the route has changed a little since I hiked it, the feeling remains.
I always like hiking near water, so that’s a plus!
You can see the video of my hike there by clicking here.
Sometimes, it can be a great idea to take advantage of a long weekend, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends, and do several segments in a row. In many places you can camp (in parks or along the trail), but sometimes it’s nice to stay in one of the Ice Age Trail Communities! The next three segments can be done in one go, but you can also take your time and do them over two days.
Arbor Ridge Segment (2.1 miles)
Here is another short but sweet segment, which you (can and should) connect to the next one. The segment starts a short drive northwest of Janesville, in southern Wisconsin (easily accessible from Illinois!) There is a parking lot at each end, so it’s very easy to access.
If you park at the Memorial, the beginning is paved, and will lead you to an old pioneer log cabin. It then becomes a real trail which will lead you through the forest of the Robert Cook Memorial Arboretum. It’s a fairly easy segment which connects to the Devil’s Staircase Segment on Washington Street (North County Road E).
You can see the video of my hike here.
Devil’s Staircase Segment (1.8 miles)
As indicated in the name, the Devil’s Staircase segment includes stairs, rock ones, which can be slippery when wet. The descent starts shortly after the start of the segment (once you go past the golf course), and it will take you down to the level of the Rock River. There is a nice bench by the river, great spot for a picnic! Then the trail goes up again (another set of stairs, and you will walk along up above the water, before going down to its level again, reaching the beautiful Riverside Park in the north of Janesville. The park has many amenities, if you prefer to have your picnic there.
You can see the video of my hike of this segment here.
Janesville Segment (10.3 miles)
This segment is entirely in the city of Janesville, much of it is paved, as it is shared with a local bike path.
It connects with the previous segment right in Riverside Park, in the north of town, and goes south, following the River, then crossing it, and meandering back north before ending at the Highway 26 overpass.
It is very easy and pleasant, and feels surprisingly green for an urban segment!
You can see the video of my hike through Janesville here.
Valley View Segment (3.4 miles)
This segment is located west of Madison, in the town of Middleton and is really beautiful. From the southern end of the segment, it’s a 1.8 mile connecting route to the Madison Segment… perfect if you’ve visiting Wisconsin’t capital!
It is an easy segment with only a couple of short big uphills that goes by many houses as well as through the IATA Valley View Preserve, where you get nice views of the surrounding valley.
It alternates between woodsy areas and more open areas, and includes boardwalks, which are always so nice! Remember that the trail and the boardwalks are entirely maintained by IAT volunteers, thank you! If you’re interested in becoming one, click here to learn more about it!
You can see my video of hiking the Valley View Segment in early Fall of 2021 by clicking here.
Lapham Peak Segment (6.1 miles)
I discovered this segment through a “First Day Hike” organized by the WI Department of Natural Resources, as part of this segment crosses the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. The segment goes through the forest, up and down, as well as through a prairie (boardwalks!) and along Scuppernong Creek. As you can see in the photo, there is an observation tower that you can explore if you want to add a few steps and get a 360 view of the area!
As we didn’t do the whole segment then, I had to go back later and do the whole thing! Some of the trail is paved, as it is shared with the Drumlin Bike Trail. You can see the video of my hike of the Lapham Peak segment by clicking here.
There are many First Day Hikes organized throughout WI. For 2026, the Washington County chapter is organizing a hike at Pike Lake. Find more info here!
As you can see, there are many opportunities to keep exploring the trails, and in particular the Ice Age Trail, during hunting season, not just on the segments I mention here. Remember that some of the IAT goes through private land and that some sections might be closed during hunting season, please respect the landowners’ decision. And if you choose to explore near an area where hunting happens, wear blaze orange!
For the full list from the IAT of 24 segments that are safe to explore during hunting season, click here.