Ice Age Trail:West Bend

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 5.9 miles / 9.5 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: The West Bend segment of the Ice Age National Scenic trail travels through West Bend, WI. Although conveniently located right in West Bend, this rugged, forested landscape will make you feel much further away.

This complete and detailed guide covers the West Bend segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and all it's access points, trailheads, parking, connecting trails, communities, parks, preserves, and facilities.

The Ice Age Trail is a thousand-mile footpath highlighting the remnants left behind by glaciers during the last ice age over 12,000 years ago. Designated as a National Scenic Trail, the Ice Age trail follows the terminal moraine of the last glaciation throughout Wisconsin providing some of the world's best examples of glacial formations such as kettles, moraines, and drumlins.

Enjoy!

WisconsinGuide

Tips: The many loops and trails in the Glacial Blue Hills Recreational Area are ideal for day hikers looking for hiking that will loop back to your starting point.

Points of Interest

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CTH-D Trailhead

The Ice Age Trail:West Bend Segment starts on the south side of CTH-D's intersection with Friendly Drive, just west of USH-45.

To the north, it connects with the Ice Age Trail:Kewaskum segment.

Parking is available north of CTH-D on the shoulder of Friendly Drive.

Other Resources
Ice Age Trail:Kewaskum

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Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Area

Here the Ice Age Trail leaves the gravel path to the right and heads west.

The Ice Age Trail shares this area, and many of the same paths, with developed bike trails.

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Blue Hills Loop North Junction

The Ice Age Trail shares ground with the Blue Hills Loop Trail.

Stay left and follow the Ice Age Trail south for 0.5 miles where it intersects the Blue Hills Loop Trail South Junction.

The Blue Hills Loop trail is the right. It heads north and loops back to the Ice Age Trail in 0.7 miles.

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Blue Hills Loop South Junction

Proceeded by a shallow right bend, the Ice Age Trail branches off left from the Blue Hills Loop trail and heads south to the Beaver Dam Road Trailhead 0.3 miles down the trail.

The Blue Hills Loop trail is to the right and rejoins the Ice Age Trail to the north after 0.7 miles.

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Beaver Dam Road Trailhead

The Ice Age Trail crosses Beaver Dam Road at the Beaver Dam Road Trailhead. The trailhead is part of the Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Area. The trailhead is north of the of parking area.

The trail continues on the south side of Beaver Dam Road where the trail breaks left and a bike trail stays to the right immediately off the road.

It is 1.4 miles south on the trail to the Park Avenue trailhead.

Off-road parking is available in an improved gravel parking lot.

Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Area Photo

Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Area Trailhead Photo

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Bike Trail intersection

The Ice Age Trail crosses the bike trail.

Continue straight, heading south on the trail.

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Kettle Viewpoint

An overlook of the kettle down below.

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Kettle Loop North Junction

The trail intersects the the Kettle Loop, an alternate loop trail (while blazes) which shares a portion of the Ice Age Trail.

Stay left to follow the Ice Age Trail to it's southern junction with the Kettle Loop in 0.3 miles.

The Kettle Loop to the right, rejoins the Ice Age Trail in 0.3 miles.

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Kettle Loop South Junction

The trail intersects the the Kettle Loop, an alternate loop trail (while blazes) which shares a portion of the Ice Age Trail.

Stay left to follow the Ice Age Trail to the Park Avenue Trailhead to the south.

The Kettle Loop to the right, rejoins the Ice Age Trail to the north in 0.3 miles.

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Park Avenue Trailhead

The trail crosses Park Avenue and continues on the south side.

Some parking is available using the wide shoulders on either side of Park Ave.

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Washington Street Trailhead

The trail meets Washington Street and continues south on University Drive on the other side of Washington Street.

It is much safer to use the signaled crosswalk to the west to cross busy Washington Road.

Many adjacent commercial properties other a parking option.

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Washington Street signaled crossing

The signaled crosswalk offer a safe crossing of the busy Washington Road.

After crossing Washington Road, turn left and head east to University Drive.

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University Drive Trailhead

The University Drive Trailhead is just west of the intersection of University Drive and Chestnut Street.

At the intersection, turn right and head west over a gravel drive to the woods and signed trailhead.

University Drive & Chestnut Street Photo

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Ridge Run County Park North Trailhead

The trail enters the north end of Ridge Run County Park.

The trailhead offers ample parking, a playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, and water.

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Trail access

The south bound trail access is tucked behind a picnic shelter.

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Silver Creek Dam

A dam binds Silver Creek, which offers a great place to chill out and relax.

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Silver Creek viewpoint

A bench offer a place to rest as well as a great view.

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Ridge Run County Park spur trail

A short spur trail leads up to the main area of Ridge Run County Park.

Access is also provided via a shorter trail on the other side of the upcoming boardwalk.

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Boardwalk

A long boardwalk raised above some wetlands keeps your feet dry crossing this section.

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Ridge Run County Park South Trailhead

A short spur trail leads up to the main area of Ridge Run County Park.

Ridge Run County Park includes a playground, restroom, picnic shelters, and ample parking.

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Artesian well

A small building houses an artesian well.

This water is not tested, so drinking is not recommended.

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Wheat Ridge Lane Trailhead

The trail touches Wheat Ridge Lane near the main entrance to Ridge Run County Park.

Instead of parking here, it is recommended you park at the Ridge Run County Park South Trailhead a bit further up the road.

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Silver Creek Bridge

A elevated bridge crosses the gap over Silver Creek.

The Paradise Drive Trailhead is just 1.1 miles down the trail.

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Lockman Loop Trail North Junction

The Ice Age Trail shares ground with the Lockman Loop Trail.

Stay right and follow the Ice Age Trail southwest for 0.2 miles where it intersects the Lockman Loop Trail South Junction.

The Lockman Loop trail is the left. It heads northeast and loops back to the Ice Age Trail in 0.3 miles.

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Lockman Loop Trail South Junction

The Ice Age Trail splits off the Lockman Loop Trail.

Stay right and follow the Ice Age Trail southwest for 0.1 miles to the Paradise Drive Trailhead.

The Lockman Loop trail is the left. It heads back to reconnect with the Ice Age Trail in 0.3 miles.

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Paradise Drive Trailhead

The Ice Age Trail:West Bend segment ends at the Paradise Drive Trailhead.

The trail continues on the Ice Age Trail:Cedar Lakes segment after a 5.5 mile road walk.

There is an off-road, improved, gravel lot for parking.

Other Resources
Ice Age Trail:Cedar Lakes

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Ice Age Trail:Cedar Lakes

The trail continues on the Ice Age Trail:Cedar Lakes segment.

Follow the Ice Age Trail travels through Wisconsin's second largest cluster of kames, some standing 100ft above the trail. This is a very popular trail and for good reason. The environment between the kames is majestic. The addition of a separate loop trail provides day hikers an alternate route back to their car.

Other Resources
Ice Age Trail:Cedar Lakes

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Ice Age Trail: Kewaskum Trailhead

The Ice Age Trail continues north on the Ice Age Trail: Kewaskum segment.

Other Resources
Ice Age Trail:Kewaskum

Pictures in this guide taken by: WisconsinGuide

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