The Marvelous 4-Mile Trail In Wisconsin Leads Adventurers To A Little-Known Glacial View
By Ben Jones|Published February 21, 2024
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Ben Jones
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Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
A short drive from the heart of Milwaukee will take you into the heart of a wild glacial landscape. The Kettle View Trail in Lapham Peak State Park is a looped trail that will take you through and landscape of rolling hills and kettles, or depressions left by retreating glaciers. A short side trail will take you to a tower with a sweeping view of the park. Ready for an unforgettable hiking adventure? Here’s what you need to know.
Lapham Peak State Park is located in southeastern Wisconsin, near the city of Delafield. It’s in Waukesha County, about 25 miles west of Milwaukee.
It feels a world away from the city. The park’s landscape was shaped by glaciers long ago. Hikers can explore glacial features such as eskers, drumlins, and moraines, gaining a view into the forces that shaped the region thousands of years ago.
Lapham Peak State Park is accessible year-round, with ample parking, picnic facilities, and visitor services available near the trailhead. You do need a park sticker for your car to enter the park.
The trail is gorgeous in any season but during the fall months, the foliage erupts in color, creating a breathtaking backdrop for your hike. In the winter (when there’s snow) it becomes a cross-county ski trail.
If you hike the whole loop, the trail might take tho hours or more to hike, depending on your speed. You might want to allow to take a short side trail to climb the park’s observation tower. The view is beautiful!
The trail also passes near the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, so if you want to extend your hike, you can pretty much go as far as you want – just follow the signs!
I’ve had some nice times hiking and running in this trail – the park is always worth a visit. Learn more about hiking in Lapham Peak State Park on the park’s website. Make your Wisconsin travel plans on Booking.com, and here are some more things to see and do in Wisconsin.
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