Friday, March 21 marks the last day before spring break for students of the Hartland-Lakeside school district. In recent weeks, temperatures have been rising. Although there have been the typical month of March weather shenanigans, such as heavy wind storms, rain, and hail, many locals are eager to get outside. The free week will give students, teachers, and families the opportunity to get outside and explore. The Lake Country area is renowned for its unique landscapes and scenic views which can be enjoyed all year long. As buds begin to appear and the last traces of winter snow melt, there are greater opportunities for people to spend time amidst the picturesque nearby trails and parks. Here are some local favorite trails to visit for a fun springtime walk.
Lake Country Recreational Trail
The Lake Country Recreational Trail is perhaps one of the most famous and beloved local trails. Starting in the city of Waukesha, this trail runs all the way out to Oconomowoc. It is a longer path, meaning that it can be done in several shorter segments. In full, the Lake Country Recreational Trail clocks in at fifteen miles long. This trail is often well traveled thanks to its extensive paving, also making it an ideal spot for those with limited mobility. It passes by several beautiful sights including both Pewaukee Lake and Nagawicka Lake.
Bugline Trail
The Bugline Trail is a southeastern Wisconsin favorite, providing a long and unique path through sections of some of the area’s most interesting communities. This trail starts in Menomonee Falls, snakes through Cannon and Sussex, and ends in Merton. All in all, the trail is about fifteen miles long and is paved. It was first built in 1983 on a former Pacific railway line that connected Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul.
Veterans Memorial Riverwalk
Located in the heart of Delafield, this is a particularly unique section of Lake Country’s trail network. The trail takes users alongside the Bark River. It begins at St. John’s Park and ends at Cushing Memorial Park. This is a shorter trail, but it can be a good choice for families. Throughout the trail, there are several war memorial sites featuring educational notes about particular wars. The nearby access to downtown Delafield also makes it the perfect place to pick up a coffee at Blue Collar before the walk or an ice cream cone from Here’s the Scoop afterwards.
Fowler Lake Walking Loop
The Fowler Lake trail is a short but thoroughly enjoyable trail that conveniently loops around Fowler Lake in Oconomowoc. This trail is known for being especially scenic and nearby to downtown. Users are able to start at various point along the loop, but many suggest beginning at Fowler Lake Park. This trail allows people to be immersed in the beauty of the lake while also being nearby to several great businesses.
Ice Age Trail in Hartland
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a thousand mile long footpath that winds throughout the state of Wisconsin. 4.7 out of these 1,000 miles are located in Hartland, and may be considered some of the best. This portion of the trail is mostly, but not entirely, paved. However, one of its greatest features is how it connects to several parks within Hartland, making it a great place to take dogs out for a stroll.
