Variety of great day hiking trails await visitors to Washburn, Wis., area

Washburn Lakefront Walking Trail

Several excellent day hiking trails are located near and in this cozy village on the shores of Lake Superior. Among those worth checking out:
g Big Rock County Park trails – Trails ramble through the park, split in half by a first-class steelhead trout stream, the Sioux River. Wildlife sightings are a certainty for hikers.
g Birch Grove Campground Trail – Located at the Chequamegon National Forest at the campground, the trail circles East Twin Lake for a 1-mile loop. Trailheads are located at both boat landings.
g Henkens Road walking trails – Two trails can be found off Henkins Road about 1.5 miles from the Star Route Road intersection northwest of town. A trailhead is located on each side of the road.
g Houghton Falls Trail – You can walk across an ancient riverbed and see fascinating rock formations up close north of town at the Houghton Falls Nature Preserve. Parts of the narrow trail can be muddy at times.
g Mt. Valhalla trails – West of Washburn, several loops on the Teuton Ski Trail and the Valkyrie Ski Trail make for scenic hiking trails the other three seasons. The Teuton’s loops head through an oak forest while the Valkyrie’s loops wind through a red pine grove.
g Washburn Lakefront Walking Trail – In town, the 1.34-mile trail runs along Lake Superior, passing three beaches, the picturesque marina, and several historical sites. The trail connects Thompson West End Park and Memorial Park.
g Washburn School Forest and Environmental Education Center trails – Nordic ski trails can be used as hiking trails in summer in this heavily wooded center. The facility is located at the north end of Eighth Avenue West.

Read more about day hiking Bayfield County, Wisconsin, in my Day Hiking Trails of Bayfield County guidebook.