Delafield Segment of the IAT

I felt the warm April sun and delighted at the smell of  bacon frying as I walked through downtown Delafield, a charming historic trail-town along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). I found downtown Delafiled to be a wonderful spot to relax and click a few photographs. The new route along the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial River Walk (in place of walking along Main Street) proved equally delightful. The river walk provides a stretch through a marshy area as well as a walk through history with the war memorials along the Bark River.


The Delafield Segment of the IAT heads north into Dealfield along a paved stretch of trail on Cushing Park Road. Near Cushing Memorial Park, the IAT turns east at a sign for the Wisconsin War Veterans Memorial River Walk. The IAT along the river walk heads through a marshy area on boardwalks along the Bark River surrounded by cattails, birds, and waterfowl.

IAT along Cushing Park Road

IAT under Interstate Highway 94

IAT along Cushing Park Road

Marsh flowers along the IAT

Cattails along the Bark River

The IAT then leaves the boardwalk and passes American war memorials along the trail through the war memorial park along the Bark River to N. Genessee Street. In this area flowers grow, flags wave, and memorials commemorate the sacrifices made by America's service men and women throughout this country's history.

The Bark River 

View of Delafield along the IAT

Along the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial River Walk

One of many tributes along the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial River Walk

Flowers along the Bark River

Emerging from the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Riverwalk alongside a post office, the trail heads South on N. Genessee Street, through downtown Delafield, and then east along Wells Street until it overlaps with the Lake Country Recreation Trail. The historic downtown has quaint shops in revitalized historic buildings. The trail passes directly by a number of restaurants, tempting passers by with the aromas of comfort foods.

Historic downtown Delafield

Restaurant in dowtown Delafield

Along the IAT in downtown Delafield

The trail then follows the Lake Country Recreation Trail to the Nagawaukee Park and Ride. Along the way, breezes over Nagawaukee Lake cooled me as I watched birds at play in Ruffs Preserve. I stopped along the IAT overlooking Ruffs Preserve to watch geese fight, and again to watch eagles fish. Other highlights included the songs of numerous red-winged blackbirds and seeing a number of blue jays and cardinals.

Ruffs Preserve along the IAT from the Lake Country Recreation Trail

Ruffs Preserve along the IAT from the Lake Country Recreation Trail

Urban tree along the IAT

The IAT along the Lake Country Recreation Trail

That's all for now. Let's get outdoors and keep our wild places wild!

Map of the Delafield Segment of the IAT

Total Distance Covered -  5.6 miles (445 km) total, the Delafield Segment is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) one way. 

Difficulty - Easy.

Trail Conditions - Blazed, well maintained trails, 40°F (4.4°C).

Highlights -  Quaint shops and the smell of bacon frying in downtown Delafield. Natural beauty, monuments, and flowers planted along the Bark River along the new route through the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Riverwalk. Views of eagles swooping, red-winged blackbirds singing, and the sights and sounds of geese fighting from the Lake Country Recreation Trail overlooking Ruffs Preserve. Blue jays and cardinals along the Lake Country Recreation Trail.

Total Ice Age Trail Miles to Date - Total official trail distance completed  278 miles (445 km).

Amenities - Post office, parks, restaurants, and shops along side the trail.

Location - Parking at the Cushing Park Road trail head and the Nagawaukee Park and Ride.