Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of only 11 National scenic trails in the United States. This scenic Wisconsin trail encompasses over 1000 miles and 28 counties meandering through the state. The Blue Spring Lake Segment in southern Wisconsin is a beautiful hike in any season.
The varied terrain of the Ice Age Trail highlights Wisconsin’s unique glacial history. Sculpted by receding glaciers over 12,000 years ago, the state of Wisconsin is home to rolling hills, bluffs, agricultural land, woodlands and prairies rich with native plants, Midwestern residents and visitors from all over the country are fortunate to hike, snowshoe, and even cross-country ski (in some segments!) through the diverse landscapes of this beautiful trail.
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Blue Spring Lake Segment | Ice Age Trail
Located in Jefferson County, this 7.1-mile Ice Age trail segment extends from County Highway Z to Young Rd., featuring varied terrain, hummocky topography, the famous Stone Elephant, an isolated pitted-outwash plain west of Tamarack Rd., and a panoramic views from the top of Bald Bluff and the Stone Elephant, a large erratic boulder resembling an elephant, deposited as glaciers receded from the region.
Just north of Young Rd., hikers cross the highest point in Jefferson County, known commonly as Bald Bluff. For those interested in exploring Bald Bluff a bit further, the Bald Bluff Nature Trail can be accessed from County Highway H, on the east side of the road, south of Palmyra. Check out the map of the Bald Bluff Nature Trail.
Blue Spring Lake Maps
The Ice Age Trail is well signed throughout, including detailed segment maps with mileage, parking areas, restrooms, shelters, and overlook areas.
All Trails Maps/App
You can find detailed information on Wisconsin’s many scenic trails on the AllTrails website and AllTrails app. Search 500,000+ trails by state and trail type – includes photos, maps, and detailed trail reviews.
- 500K+ trails
- 90M+ members
- 1.8B+ miles logged
- 2.9B+ kilometers logged
- 14 languages supported
Sign up for a Free 7-day trial HERE.
Blue Spring Lake | Scenic Ice Age Trail Beauty
While numerous other segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in this area are equally as scenic, diverse, and challenging to hike, the Blue Spring Lake Segment is one of my favorite for scenery during the winter season. Enjoy a variety of landscapes, the hilly terrain, open prairies, and pine plantations of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, and plenty of natural wonders to enjoy.
Hiking Packs
For a well-fitting, sustainably made pack for a hike of any length, Osprey packs are my go to. My go to pack for day hikes is Osprey’s Talon 11 with an adjustable hip-belt, two water bottle compartments, and a mesh front pocket with plenty of room for an extra layer and snacks for the trail.
Osprey’s Sportlite 20 is another great option for day hikes. For something a bit larger, Osprey’s Hikelite Daypack includes padded hipbelt pockets and plenty of storage space. Check out Osprey’s Packfinder to find the pack that will best fit your frame and activity.
Devil’s Lake State Park and Ice Age Trail Segment – Baraboo, Wisconsin
For other scenic hikes on the Ice Age Trail, be sure to check out the Devil’s Lake segment, passing through Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo, WI, just a half hour north of Madison. Read more in my blog post linked here: Hike the Bluffs of Baraboo, WI | Devil’s Lake State Park.
Enjoy your hike on the beautiful Blue Spring Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail!
– Erin
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