Great trails await hikers in Washburn County

Wild River Trail north of Minong, Wis.

Located in Wisconsin’s northwest corner, Washburn County is an outdoor recreational paradise. During summers, bicyclists and off-road vehicle enthusiasts ply a number of wooded trails while fishermen and canoeists try their hand at their sport on freshwater lakes and a nationally protected riverway. Come autumn, the roads turn busy with drivers out to enjoy the colorful blaze of autumn leaves. Throughout winter, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers sail across white paths while ice fishing shacks pop up on frozen lakes. And, of course, day and backcountry hikers alike enjoy the county’s hundreds of miles of trails, some routes well-groomed and others primitive, but all rambling through fabulous scenery.

Three major attractions stand out for day and backcountry hikers in Washburn County. Across much of the county’s southern section, the 1200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail winds its way toward its western and northern terminus, loosely marking the edge of where glaciers once stood more than 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. Cutting north to south through the county is the Wild River Trail, which follows an abandoned rail line between the city of Rice Lake to the south and the port city of Superior to the north. Finally, splitting the county almost in half, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway curves from the Namekagon’s headwaters to the northeast toward a meeting with the great St. Croix River to the west.

Among the best day hiking trails in Washburn County to hit include:
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
• Trego Lake Trail
• Trego Nature Trail
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
• Cumberland segment
Wild River Trail
• Spooner segment
Others
• Tuscobia State Trail
• Bear Trail (Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary)

Learn more about these and other nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.

5 great day hikes in Shell Lake/Sarona, Wis.

View along Sawyer Brook Springs trails

Several excellent trails await cabin-goers in the Shell Lake and Sarona, Wis., area. Among the pickings:
g Bear Trail – Carnivorous plants and glacial lakes await hikers at the Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary near Sarona. Perhaps the best way to see the sanctuary’s wide variety of ecosystems is the Bear Trail, a 2.7-mile loop with a half-mile path to reach it.
g Ice Age National Scenic Trail-Grassy Lake Segment – This 7.2-mile section of the state-wide trail near Shell Lake can be accessed from Lehman Road. Part of the walk includes a ridge over a valley carved out by glacial meltwater.
g Sawyer Brook Springs trails – A set of three loops, primarily maintained as cross-country ski trails, begin behind the Shell Lake Arts Center in Shell Lake. The Yellow loop takes hikers twice across Sawyer Brook Springs.
g South Side Walking Trail – This comfortable path of wood chips works its way through meadows and wooded areas. The trail begins off of U.S. Hwy. 63 on Shell Lake’s south side.
g Wild River Trail, Sarona segment – This three-county trail runs along a former train route through Sarona on its way north from Barron County. Take the trail north to Spooner’s Railroad Memories Museum.

Learn more about these and nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.

Quality trails abound in Minong, Wis., region

Wild River Trail north of Minong, Wis.

Several good day hiking trails wait cabin-goers in the Minong, Wis., area. They include:
g Brule River State Forest Annex Loop A – North of town in Douglas County along County Road G lies a small area of planted forests along the Eau Claire River with multiple jeep trails running through it. From the end of the county road, hike west until the road curves north; take each of the three spur trails to the river for a 1.7-mile walk.
g Totagatic trails – An impressive number of trails sit off of U.S. Hwy. 53 just south of the Totagatic River. They’re mainly used for winter skiing but can be day hiked in other seasons. Try Loop A, which heads through woods and meadow, for a 2.75-mile hike including the access trail.
g Wild River Trail segment – The former rail line turned hiking trail heads through town on the way from Trego to Gordon. Starting at South Limits Road, head south on the trail to Lakeside Lake for a roughly 4-mile round trip.

Learn about nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.

Trails abound for visitors to Trego, Wis., area

Wild River Trail crossing the Namekagon River. 

A number of excellent trails await cabin-goers to the Trego, Wis., area this summer. Among them:
g Leisure Lake Trail – A 3-mile trail heads about Leisure Lake, off of Skunk Lake Road, northwest of town. The lake’s shoreline is nicely forested.
g Trego Lake Trail – A trio of loops run for 3.5 miles near the Namekagon River and Trego Lake in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. A combination of the A and B loops offer the best river and lake views.
g Trego River Trail – This 2.8-mile round trip walk heads through a variety of habitats along the Namekagon River in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Keep an eye out for snowshoe hare, Great Blue Heron, beavers, otters, turtles and the telltale signs of bobcats.
g Wild River Trail – The former C&NW Rail route turned hiking trail runs through town from Spooner to Minong. From Park Street, take an almost 2-mile round trip walk north through the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, including a bridge over the Namekagon River.

Learn about nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.

Quality day trails abound in Spooner, Wis.

The Wild River Trail passes the Railroad Memories Museum in Spooner.

A number of excellent trails await cabin-goers in the Spooner, Wis., area. Among them:
g Beaver Brook Wildlife Area East Trail – The wildlife area nicely preserves 1,964 acres of woods and wetlands between Shell Lake and Spooner. A number of loops run off the main trail so hikers can adjust the walk’s length to meet their time restrictions and energy levels. Dogs also are allowed.
g College Street City Park Trail – Several loops run through Spooner City Park at the end of College Street. One route encircles the park.
g Nordic Woods A Loop – From County Board B at the north tip of Long Lake, follow the entry trail to the A Loop for a 2.7-mile excursion. Shadow Lake is a short walk away on another loop.
g Ridge Walking Trails – Nineteen miles east of town in Stone Lake, these trails ramble through the 17.4-acre Stone Lake Wetland Park. The park also offers a 600-foot boardwalk and covered walking bridge.
g Wild River Trail – This three-county trail runs through Spooner on its way from Sarona to Trego. Heading south is the prettier route; start at the city’s Railroad Memories Museum on Front Street for a 3.8-mile one way walk to the Beaver Brook Wildlife Area.

Learn more about these and nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.