Frederic area boasts number of great trails

Gandy Dancer Trail heading south from Frederic.

Cabin-goers to the Frederic, Wis., area in northern Polk County can enjoy a number of great day hiking trails this summer. Among them:
g Atlas County Park (unnamed trails) – Short, unnamed trails amble through this park located between the Trade River and Long Trade Lake. The park includes picnic shelters perfect for that after-hike meal.
g Coon Lake Trail – While some of the meandering paths making up this trail are steep, they offer great views of Coon Lake on the town’s east side. The 41.7-acre man-made lake and surrounding park is popular with local residents.
g Gandy Dancer Trail – The 98-mile trail that used to be a rail line runs south to Luck and north to Siren. Within the village limits, the trail is roughly a block west of Wis. Hwy. 35.
g Ice Age National Scenic Trail – A section of this 1,000-mile trail runs through Straight Lake Wilderness State Park southeast of town. The trail runs for about four miles through the park and is marked with yellow blazes.
g Somers Lake Snowshoe Trail – Three loops northwest of town lead to scenic Somers Lake. The loops total 5 miles in length and head through a wooded area.
g Sterling Trail – This 7-mile loop rambles through a classic Northwoods setting. Be forewarned that ATVs can use the trail June 1-Nov. 15.

Read more about day hiking this and nearby trails in my Hittin’ the Trail: Day Polk County, Wisconsin guidebook.