Hiking the Ice Age Trail through Washington County

On a recommendation from a friend, I started section hiking the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) through Washington County, Wisconsin in October during peak leaf colors. The beauty of the kames decorated with gold maples and red oaks against blue skies wowed me. I returned when the snow came to enjoy winter hiking through the Sunburst Ski Area in Kewaskum. The seasons did not disappoint. If you want to hike through some glacial terrain near city amenities with gorgeous colors at leaf change time, check out the IAT through Washington County. 


The IAT meanders more than 1,100 miles up, down, and across Wisconsin. It follows trails, sidewalks, and country roads. The portion of the IAT that passes through Washington County meanders along 35.5 miles (57 km) of trail and 9.4 miles (15 km) of connecting routes (country roads and highways). The IAT trail through Washington County carries the hiker through forested areas, fields, trail towns, a ski area, and part of the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Views of the glacial terrain are abundant throughout Washington County, particularily kames, eskers and kettles.

Video of the Washington County along the IAT

Click each segment and connecting route link for details, route maps, mileage information, and photographs illustrating what you can expect to see along the way:


Loew Lake Segment

Connecting Route from the Loew Lake Segment to the Holy Hill Segment

Holy Hill Segment

Pike Lake Segment

Slinger Segment

Cedar Lakes Segment

Connecting Route from the Cedar Lakes Segment to the West Bend Segment

West Bend Segment

Southern Kewaskum Segment

Connecting Route from the Southern Kewaskum Segment to the Kewaskum Segment

Kewaskum Segment

Milwaukee River Segment - Washington County Portion

Connecting route between the Cedar Lakes and West Bend Segments

Autumn colors have begun to show

Polk Kames in the distance

A pop of winter color

West Bend Segment

West Bend Segment

The IAT through Washington County crosses through trail towns including Slinger and West Bend where the hiker walks directly past restaurants and other amenities. If you hike these segments during winter, they get very icy and putting safety first is recommended. If it is too icy or cold for you to hike safely, wait for better days. I find using micro-spikes and trekking poles in slippery areas very helpful. 

That's all for now, let's get outdoors and keep our wild places wild!