Wildwood Trail segment passes farm fields

Wildwood Trail west of Woodville, Wis.

Wildwood Trail map

Day hikers can enjoy a rustic walk on a segment of the Wildwood Trail near Woodville, Wis.

The seven-mile hiking, biking and snowmobiling trail runs between the communities of Woodville and Spring Valley in eastern St. Croix County. Among the most accessible and pleasurable parts of the trail is a 2.3-miles round-trip from western Woodville that heads past farm fields.

To reach the trailhead, from downtown Woodville take County Road BB west. Park on the street near the post office then walk along the road about 600 feet west. The trailhead is on County BB’s left/south side just past the Solum Drive intersection.

A former railroad right-of-way, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company trains used the route until the mid-20th century. In 1970, St. Croix County purchased most of the railbed.

The trail segment at Woodville heads into the dairy country for which this part of Wisconsin is so well known. While the path is lined with tall trees and a thick understory, you’ll still catch good views of hay and corn fields on either side of the trail.

In about 0.1 miles, the trail crosses 250th Street. Shortly after that, a bridge heads over an intermittent stream that flows off the higher elevations to the northwest.

At 0.75 miles into the hike, the trail gradually curves to the east. Where it reaches the middle of that curve and heads directly southeast marks a good spot to turn back. Any farther south brings you close to Interstate 94 and its river of vehicular noise.

Another option for hiking the trail is starting just north of the 250th Avenue and 42nd Street intersection, where there’s a gravel parking lot. Going northwest heads past another intermittent stream while the southeast route runs through a thick woods.

As a former rail grade, the trail is wide and often open, so be sure to don sunscreen or a brimmed hat. Motorized vehicle traffic – except snowmobiles in winter – are prohibited on the trail.

Learn more about nearby day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of St. Croix County guidebook.

Wildwood Trail segment passes trout stream

Wildwood Trail. Photo courtesy of St. Croix County Community
Development Department.

Day hikers can enjoy a walk beside a trout stream through a pleasant woods on a segment of Wisconsin’s Wildwood Trail.

The seven-mile hiking, biking and snowmobiling trail runs between Spring Valley and Woodville. Among the most accessible and pleasurable parts of the trail runs 1.7 miles round-trip from near downtown Spring Valley alongside a small stream through a pleasant woods.

To reach the trailhead, from Wis. Hwy. 29 in Spring Valley turn north on McKay Avenue then left/west onto County Road B (N. Second St.). In four blocks, turn right/north onto Herb Avenue. As that street curves east, park in the small lot off its left side. The trail heads west from the lot.

A former railroad right-of-way, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company trains used the route until the mid-20th century. In 1970, St. Croix County purchased most of the trail that runs north of Spring Valley.

The trail segment in Spring Valley parallels Mines Creek most of the way. A Class II trout stream that flows east into the Eau Galle River, Mines Creek’s adult trout have a good survival rate though sometimes they must be restocked for sport fishing.

About a third of a mile from the trailhead, the walking path enters a more wooded area. As a former rail grade, though, the trail is wide and often open, so be sure to don sunscreen or a brimmed hat.

In about 0.16 miles, the trail crosses Mines Creek and then veers into a hillside forest as the village and county road fall away in the distance.

The trail in another 0.38 miles reaches the intersection of 250th Street/Van Buren Avenue. This marks s good spot to turn back. If you have a little extra energy, however, the trail does continue onward for another 6.15 miles, veering north toward Woodville.

Motorized vehicle traffic – except snowmobiles in winter – are prohibited on the trail.

• Trail map

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.