While Wisconsin has some incredible hikes, there are a few trails unlike any other in the world. One of these paths can be found in Platteville. The trail will take you up a one-of-a-kind attraction called the Platte Mound M and it offers a vista that will remind you of an airplane window. Here’s why you should lace up your hiking shoes and climb the world’s largest letter M.

The letter’s origin is connected to the nearby University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The school has a long history as a mining school and two of its students worked at a Colorado mine in the summer of 1936.
Alltrails / Donovan Plante
The students saw a giant M on the side of Mount Zion in Golden, Colorado that stood for the Colorado School of Mines. They thought Platteville could do a little better.
Alltrails / Jerry Zhu
Back in Platteville, they drew an enormous letter M in the snow. The letter was later replaced by 400 tons of limestone and it became an icon for the area and part of the school’s identity. The school lit the M every year for the school’s Miner’s Ball.
Alltrails / Joseph Bass

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The letter is on the side of Platte Mound, a hill that’s a mile and a half long. It rises up 450 feet above the surrounding countryside.
Alltrails / Jen Uptegraph
About 300 steps will take you up the side of the M to an overlook. The view is incredible and you can see for miles – on clear days you can even see Iowa from here!
Alltrails / Brad Hesselbacher
A hiking path on the mound will take you past some small caves and rock formations. It’s a pleasant place for a hike but you may want to just relax at a picnic table and take in the view!
Alltrails / Jen Upetgraph

The M is located four miles northeast of Platteville. It’s on university property and it’s maintained by the school. It’s still lit for homecoming each year and whitewashing still takes place to keep it fresh and white. It’s worth a visit in any season – use caution in the winter, as the steps can get a little slippery. Wisconsin has a lot of really big things – here are some of the world’s largest things that can be found right in Wisconsin!

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Platte Mound M, W Mound Rd, Platteville, WI 53818, USA