Top 8 Picks for the Best Walking Paths in Lake Country

Top 8 Picks for the Best Walking Paths in Lake Country

Living in the lake country area, even Waukesha county is breathtaking and a great learning experience. Our family enjoys talking walks together, it is great exercise in all seasons, and well as educational. Take the time to connect with your kids, your spouse, and friends. We have complied a list of the best places to take a walk in the lake country area:

1. Fowler Lake in Oconomowoc •  30-45 mins
A scenic walk for the whole family around the perimeter of Fowler Lake in Oconomowoc is a must. You will see old mansions and restored homes, beautiful views of the lake, parks, the train depot, the band shell, you even get to walk the boardwalk. You will also be in the heart of Oconomowoc and pass near many places you can stop in for a refreshment, food or drink. If you between Fowler and Lac La Belle you will be able to peak at the famous gargoyles everyone talks about! There is also a great Historic Walking Tour .pdf that includes inofrmation of each stop and a map you can print off and bring along. How great!

2. Historic Downtown Pewaukee • 26 Stops
This self-guided walking tour in Pewaukee brings you past 26 historic stops in Pewaukee. From the Asa Clark house to old grocery stores to the Peter Larson House all the way to St. Mary’s Cemetery. It is a great lesson in history and fun to learn about Pewaukee. There is also a great Historic Walking Tour .pdf  that includes inofrmation of each stop and a map you can print off and bring along. How great!

3. Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit • 160 Miles of Trails
The Kettle Moraine State Forest in Southeastern Wisconsin is truly a trail user’s dream with many miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing as well as some nice roads for bike touring. What makes the “Kettles” special is the topography created during the last Ice Age. The kettles are actually large depressions created when large chunks of ice (the size of buildings) were buried in the moraine (piles of gravel and debris) deposited by the glaciers. When the ice eventually melted, you had big holes in the ground. What this means for trail users is hills, hills, and more hills (a rarity in southeastern Wisconsin). And, since it is a state forest, you also have trees, trees, and more trees. The vast size of the forest means that not only do you have nice scenic, hilly trails, but also that you have many miles of many different trails to choose from. For info on trails click here.

4. Glacial Drumlin State Trail • 52 Miles
This 52 mile trail begins in Cottage Grove and ends in Waukesha’s Fox River Sanctuary. This trail built on a railroad right of way offers walking, bicycling, and, rollerblading and snowmobile opportunities between he City of Waukesha and Cottage Grove near the City of Madison.

5. Lapham Peak • 21.2 Miles
More than 1000 acres (1022) of hilly terrain are within the Lapham Peak boundaries.  The Kettle Moraine and Lapham Peak were formed 10,000 years ago when a glacier covered much of Wisconsin.  Located south of I-94 on County Highway “C”, Lapham Peak has a variety of scenic sights and activities.
The 21.2 miles of hiking trails, including a portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail have reserve able backpack campsites.  There are 17.2 miles of cross-country ski trails (including 2.5 miles of lighted trails for night skiing).  Lapham Peak also has 5 miles for mountain bike riding, horseback riding, and snowshoeing.   Other amenities include ice skating, picnicking, and an enclosed picnic shelters.  A 45-foot observation tower sits atop the highest point in Waukesha County (1,233 feet above sea level) and is available for climbing and gazing.

6. Ice Age National Scenic Trail: 
A 1000 mile national and state scenic trail located entirely in Wisconsin.  The purpose of the Trail is to tell the story of the Ice Age and continental glaciations along a scenic footpath.  The trail begins at Monches County Park at the northern border with Waukesha County, runs through the Town of Delafield passing through Lapham Peak State Park, and continues on running the length of the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest.

7. Lake Country Trail • 8 Miles
The Town of Delafield was a partner in the development of an 8 mile east-west walking, biking, cross country skiing trail which extends from the Landsberg Center trailhead in the City of Waukesha to Cushing Park in the City of Delafield.  Created out of the former Milwaukee-Watertown Interurban Railway bed, later owned by Wisconsin Electric as a right of way.   The trail development costs were shared by Waukesha County, The Town of Delafield, the City of Delafield, the Town of Pewaukee and the Department of Natural Resources.

8. Ice Age Trail in Hartland • 6.9 Miles
Follow the Ice Age Trail through the many parks of downtown Hartland, WI. This section features mostly paved trail connecting the Bark River Greenway and many parks through Hartland, WI.

Hope you enjoyed our Top 8 Picks for the Best Walking Paths in Lake Country!